earlier today found out that there was a puddle of water in place of my spare tire. the padding under the carpet was soaked and my speaker cables and amps where a little wet, but they still function, which is dangerous. The weather stripping looks fine around the lining of the trunk. I don't know what else to check.

Weather stripping around the trunk is rarely a problem on our generation. For water in the trunk only, the two most likely candidates:

1. Rear window seal. Bottom of the rear window, between the black rubber and the glass. Put a small bead of RTV (clear or black) in there. I had that on the Zilla.

2. Antenna. You can test this with a garden hose. Make sure the drain tube is hooked up as well.

In the meantime, you can drill two small holes in the spare tire well for troubleshooting. Make sure you seal them with RTV later.

I had this problem on my '95 88. I pulled all the carpet and drained the water. I knew it wasn't the trunk seal so I took a hose and with the water running slowley, I ran it over the rear window (no leaks) the antenna (no leaks) and finally around the tailights. I found one of them leaking like a submarine with a screen door. I removed both lamp assemblies, cleaned both gasket surfaces, laid a very thin bead of silicone sealer on the gaskets and reinstalled. Tested with the hose the next day and all was water tight.

I did have a leak problem on my Cavalier trunk which this process would no show any leaks so I figured it had to be the seal. The only way I found that one was to climb in the trunk with a flashlight and have the wife run the hose around the seal. I found the leak. The wife thought it would be funny to drive me around the block a couple of times before she let me out.

I've looked at my antenna and noticed that its broke at the top. So I tape it up for the meantime until I go to the junk yard and get a replacement. I don't have access to any hoses because I stay in the hood. I would have to wait til I go over my girls house to use hers.

a friend at the carwash could do the same thing...

nope there'* only automatic washes and the self serve car wash is closed because to many ppl have gotten killed and robbed there.

jeeze...

well drive through the automatic wash with someone in your trunk and flashlight...

Ya know Haro, that isn't a horrible thought lol

Check your rear wheel wells for holes, too. In particular on top.

thanks for the suggestions. I'll ask willwren if he wants to ride in the trunk and help me out.