Liquid spill inside trunk disables R1S (wire harness damaged)

[RivAW]

It's certainly unfortunate but sounds like you're the responsible party. The trunk is not internally sealed in the Rivian, nor in any other vehicle I'm aware of.

Wiring just about always runs under the vehicle which is why even a slight amount of water intrusion from a window left open in the rain or a fresh water flood that just reaches the floor pan can be enough to kill a vehicles electrical system resulting in a total. If you must transport liquids, as we all do with groceries, the frunk is the place to put things.

Related beef, Rivian's all-weather mats do not have elevated sides and don't reach to the edges of the carpeted areas so unlike other all weather mats and liners which can effectively trap spills the Rivian all-weather mats will likely result in seepage outside of the mats - just a terrible design.

Frustrating for sure, but there is no reason Rivian should be responsible for something you spilled or failed to secure in the back. It seems doubtful it was a "small amount" of liquid. At the end of the day it depends on whether the wiring was supposed to be sealed (and wasn't), or was sealed but the seals failed. Other than that, you can't shift blame. Take a hard look at the insurance policy to see whether it's supposed to be covered. A lot of insurance claims are denied at first simply as a tactic because the insurance companies know the overwhelming majority of their customers won't push back or due their own research.

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[Donald Stanfield]

I too suffer from the interior OCDitus. But also have a 2 year old daughter, that likes crackers. The two don't go hand in hand. I've definitely pulled out the Milwaukee battery blower to the interior prior to detailing it. even though the back seat only stays clean for a short time, that time is pure heaven.

The 1500w inverter lives under the Gen 1 passenger seat. I can't remember what's under the drivers, but I'm sure it's equally important.

I think it's the stereo amp under the Driver's seat.

 

[CrazyOne]

Sounds like its time to design a aftermarket rubber tub insert for the trunk

This is what I love about my Acura TL with factory rubber cargo mat. Prior to R1T, I always tried to us my car with a tub style OE mat instead of wife's SUV. The cargo area of sedan always stayed clean while the SUV was impossible to keep clean. Even sod with plastic liner works better in a sedan. Admittedly, it's a lot smaller than the SUV.

 

[Time2Roll]

I agree insurance should pay as this seems accidental even if a bit careless.
I mean you can be careless and hit a tree and insurance pays. Assuming full coverage.

I am somewhat bugged that Rivian does not know for certain it is the wire harness.

 

[Wayne]

You don't know what the liquid was???? Surely you can figure that out. It might be an important part of the problem. If it was water or if it was bleach (hydrochloric acid) that would a significant difference.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

You don't know what the liquid was???? Surely you can figure that out. It might be an important part of the problem. If it was water or if it was bleach (hydrochloric acid) that would a significant difference.

I showed thread to a friend who knows chemistry. Right away he said "Coke". Once the water evaporates, what you'd have left is acidic sugary goop. And color of corrosion is telltale. So the question is how does one not know a 2 liter bottle has been spilled? Kids trying to stay out of trouble?

 

[HaveBlue]

We have an e46 BMW convertible and the convertible top well between the seats and trunk had the drains clog up after years of life. The water overflowed into the trunk and the spare tire well turned into a jacuzzi. In that well was an iBus connector, which is sort of a predessor of CANBus, that got wet and the entire car freaked out. Door locks, windows, lights, convertible top all couldn't be controlled. It was a weather sealed connector but submersion was too much. I depinned the connector and got rid of corrosion and such as the entire iBus was grounded from that. I sealed the entire connection and water proofed it after drying out. Some draino down the hidden convertible drains solved the dilema.

 

[Zoidz]

I showed thread to a friend who knows chemistry. Right away he said "Coke". Once the water evaporates, what you'd have left is acidic sugary goop. And color of corrosion is telltale. So the question is how does one not know a 2 liter bottle has been spilled? Kids trying to stay out of trouble?

Yes, pH of most sodas is under 3.0. Phosphouric acid is used as a preservative and in some cases for flavor purposes. Also, to a lesser extent Carbon Dioxide in sodas creates carbonic acid. Soda, espcially Coke, is quite acidic. Beer is a bit less acidic, typically 3.5 - 5.5

 

[Wayne]

still waiting to hear form the OP.

 

[superfly_snook]

Some older adventure vehicles like the OG Land Rover Defenders were made to be more or less water resistant inside to the extent you could hose them out after getting them muddy forging rivers and such. The materials were selected accordingly and the tech in those vehicles was WWII era. The R1s are not built for that but there are probably plenty of second-hand 20th century SUVs that could tolerate such use out there.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

still waiting to hear form the OP.

Meanwhile, OP:

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

 

[Zoidz]

Meanwhile, OP:

I worked at McD while in high school. Not mixing bleach and ammonia was one of the first things they taught new employees. One of my co-workers didn't believe it so he tried it to see what would happen. Fortunately, he did it outside in a mop bucket so nobody got hurt.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I worked at McD while in high school. Not mixing bleach and ammonia was one of the first things they taught new employees. One of my co-workers didn't believe it so he tried it to see what would happen. Fortunately, he did it outside in a mop bucket so nobody got hurt.

Omg. Sounds like a Darwin award winner, right there.

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