Thank you for the explanation of your water leaks, and maxifuse finding

 

Aquadave,
If you are able I recommend soldering the connection.
More secure and less likely to seperate.

 

Aquadave, has this car been parked for months(or years)? I'm surprised that you didn't hear the water sloshing if it was being driven.

 

Whoops, missed your post...what really surprised me is that I drive this car all the time...multiple times a week if not once a day. I'm pretty observant but never heard any water sloshing. I have no idea how long it had the standing water...it couldn't have been too long because there wasn't any rust on steel components but it was long enough to practically dissolve the fuse and fuse holder copper. The insulation mat on the floor, multiple layers of plastic trim, deck lid, carpet, and distance to the driver seat must have masked the sound. I am just lucky that it gave out while parked at home.

So the water saga actually wasn't over yet like I previously thought. I've been checking after rains for water evidence but all was good until I visited the self service car wash pressure washing booth. Turns out that I really needed to replace my rear hatch weather-strip seal and that's likely what the root cause of my original problem. Seal appeared to be in good shape from the outside...but hidden underneath where it grabs the metal lip...the rubber was was cracked and crumbling. Now that its replaced, it doesn't leak anymore at the car wash and the difference in resistance felt while closing the hatch is quite significant when compared to the old seal.

 

Thanks for updating!

 

X2, what he said!! ^^^^^^^

 

I thought there was a drain under the spare tire?

 

There is.

 

There’s the vent tube hole, but I didn’t see a water drain hole.