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26K views 23 replies 19 participants last post by  nwbronco 
#1 ·
Hey everyone! So again, I left my top down and it down poured...there was no rain in the forecast...UGH!:facepalm:

But no my radio is of course not working...and tips/tricks on how to fix and how to prevent this from happening other than putting my top back up every day?

I'm a first time Jeep owner but I honestly thought that it wouldn't have these types of issues since it's a Jeep and I would imagine this happens more often than not to people. Maybe I'm expecting too much....
 
#3 ·
Be more on top of the weather forecast, or keep the top up at night. Chances are replacement of the wrecked components will the be fix.

Next I put all the windows back in and doors. Closed everything back up and cranked the heat for 30min.
Worked great .. Dry as a bone.
Make sure you turn on the AC when doing this or you're just circulating the moisture.
 
#4 ·
I cannot help much on your radio. Hopefully when it dries out it will start to work again. But to prevent this from happening again, I use an app on my iPhone called Rain Alarm. It scans the radar for a certain radius that you can specify. When the radar detects rain, the app alerts you. I bought an emergency top for my JKU that I carry with me any times I have the top off. There have been several times when I was at work and my phone alerted me for rain in the area and I went outside and put the emergency top on.

This is the top that I use.
QuadraTop 11174 1051 - QuadraTop® Emergency Top for 07-15 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 Door - Quadratec
 
#6 ·
The radio is the least of your problems. If water gets into the steering wheel clock spring or the electronic modules under the dash and console, you are looking at THOUSANDS of dollars not covered by warranty. The fact that nothing failed but the stereo makes you extremely lucky.
 
#7 ·
@Pedals2Paddles actually the horn and buttons on the steering wheel aren't working either. I was definitely under the impression that you could hose out the interior and all would be fine. I didn't think a little rain would cause such a problem.

Anyone have any thoughts on installing a marine radio for water resistant purposes?
 
#8 ·
Hosing out the interior doesn't consist of hosing down the electronics in the vehicle. The idea is to be able to remove the carpets and hose out the seating and cargo areas of the Jeep.

There is/was never any notion by Jeep/Chrysler that you could take a hose and spray down you dash and steering wheel. Electronics and water do not mix. It doesn't matter what vehicle we're talking about.

Your radio will likely have to be replaced. I don't know of any 130, 230, 430 or 730 radio that survived being rain soaked. They simply just don't hold up to that abuse.

As for your steering wheel, you most likely need a new clock spring at minimum.

Good luck, because as others have said, this isn't covered by warranty.
 
#10 ·
This happened to me yesterday... I wasn't parked far enough under my canopy and the Jeep got wet on the dash, steering wheel and front seats. At first the radio was fine but after about 15 minutes it started acting up so I shut it off. My lights, wipers and steering wheel controls would also not work right away. When I left work for the day my headlights, blinkers, radio and steering wheel controls all worked again - I believe I was lucky. There was rain forecast here Monday night, and I would have been fine if I was parked properly, so there is no excuse if I end up with issues in the future.
 
#11 ·
Get the Rainalarm app for your phone. Tells me whenever there is rain within about 15 miles of my location. Has saved me a few times, giving me the chance to go out and throw the cover on.
 
#12 ·
I am experiencing a similar issue. I have a 2015 JKUS and I had the freedom tops off yesterday, and a popup storm came while I was at work. I didn't have anything to cover the dash, drove home wet. Noticed on the way home that the buttons on the back of the steering wheel don't work, the button cluster on the left side of the wheel don't work. Can't turn on my headlights, fog lights, running lights, turn signals, front and back windshield wipers. The only thing that works on my steering column is the cruise control buttons on the right side of the steering wheel. I also noticed that my down hill assist, electric plug on/off button and traction control buttons do not work. After reading a bunch of threads, I fear that its the clock spring that went bad. But not sure, as unlike everyone else my jeep is not going bonkers (wipers going, horn honking, and lights flashing). Everything just stopped working in the off position. Now I can't drive it at night until I get this fixed!! Any thoughts??
 
#13 ·
At the very least throw something over the steering wheel to buy you time to get out there and throw a cover on it. I always keep a hoodie in the Jeep so I throw it over the wheel and wrap the arms over the top of the steering wheel every day. Helps keep the sun off the leather too. I've been in rain a pretty good bit, matter of fact yesterday and as long as your moving pretty good your golden unless its a downpour. A steady rain stuck in traffic = no fun. If you go topless in a JK you really need to keep a cover handy, even if it's just a tarp with bungees. I keep a bestop trail cover, use it all the time. If I wasn't able to run out to the parking lot at the drop of a hat I prolly would just run a bikini all the time. Rain would still get in but the electronics should be fine.
 
#14 ·
I run a Bestop Trektop NX without the windows. It has the sunrider feature like the factory tops that allows me to flop it closed when I park, which shelters the steering, dash and seats from rain, sun and bird poo. I don't even bother to clasp it unless I'm expecting rain (in which case I usually also put the windows back in). When I flop it open, for the front passengers, it's as good as being topless. The rear passengers, though, are still covered. When closed (and clasped) it's equivalent to a bikini/bimini top.
 
#16 ·
The days of naked jeeps basking in the rain are long gone folks.
Reading these threads and looking at all the electrical crap they've added, I bought my first jeep with a hard top this time around.
And I think it still leaks more than the old cj5 with a rag top.

Peedon panels might be a more appropriate name for them.
 
#20 ·
I ended up towel drying my interior, pulling all of the drain plugs, and shop vacuuming the seats and carpet. I then put 2 box fans (one on the driver side floor and one on the driver side seat) to dry the steering console off. Let that go for 24-36hrs. I waited a few more days with no happy results. Ended up taking it to the dealership and said that all of a sudden it just stopped working. No idea why ;). They tried to pry it out of me that it was my fault saying that there has been several other people with the same problem but, when they pulled the drain plugs they got about 5 gallons of water out of the floors. They ended up replacing my clockspring for free! Oh my Jeep was also still under the manufacturer's warranty of 32K miles.

Moral of the story...empty the drain plugs and leave no trace of water damage!!!
 
#23 ·
Hello all, it rained in my Jeep overnight (2 hour thunderstorm). I awakened at 8am this morning and as it was still storming. I rushed outside to raise the soft top and attach the windows. By this time, I had about 2-3 inches of standing water in the front and rear compartments. I returned inside to research this forum and others on what to do when your jeep was flooded with water due to rain. I found that I needed to remove the drain plugs in the front seat, rear seat, and rear carriage compartments. I removed all of the rugs and placed them outside to dry on my patio (the high today 90 was degrees in GA). Around 10am I removed my soft top, and lowered the windows in order to dry out the interior. It was then I realized the radio did not come on, and the buttons on the left side of the steering wheel were not responsive. I continued to research forums on the best way to handle. First, I removed the entire dash and the front face of the radio for about 2 hours (believing it would "dry out"). I reattached everything and the radio still didn't work. I didn't see any water in the radio compartment while it was removed. Second, I was attempted to turn on the heat for 30mins to see what would happen, but I only had 1/4 tank of gas, and I wasn't completely comfortable just running the jeep unattended for 30mins. That attempt lasted about 1min. Around 7pm I disconnected the negative terminal on the battery. I was cooking steaks by this time, so I'm certain the terminal was only disconnected for about 4mins. I reattached the terminal 4mins later, and both the radio and left side steering wheel buttons were operational. Each approach was suggested in a forum. For me the battery disconnect/reconnect worked. Tomorrow I'm going to wet dry vac the seats and carpet, and at some point purchase the Bartact seat covers. I have no intention of experiencing this again. I have mods going on the Jeep Monday, and I need the bluetooth for testing. I also have a 4 hour trip to the beach next week so that would've sucked. If anything goes out within the next week I'll keep you all posted. I must thank forums like this for helping me. 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited (stock radio).
 
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