2002 Buick Rendezvous Electrical Issues

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THREADSS
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I own a 2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL, with apx. 60,000 miles on it. Since I bought it in March 2005 I have noticed, when driving at night, the lights dim - sometimes almost to the point of going out - then come back. What I now find most troubling is that when I drive for more than 1/2 hour, my electrical system goes haywire. It tells me that my e-brake is on (it isn't) and the alarm won't stop sounding. It also registrers that a door AND the rear hatch are ajar (they aren't), the fog lights start flashing, the auto locks keep trying to re-lock, and my dome lights come on and off. The last time this happened, the car would not stop, not even after turning it off. The headllights continued to flash and the alarm inside the car would not stop. We had to disconnect the battery to stop the commotion. However, each time it happens - once the car cools down it seems to stop. If I'm only taking short trips within the city, everything is fine. Do you have any idea what the problem could be?
Jan 26, 2007 at 7:28 AM
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CARUNDELL
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[quote:53ce3ad52c="threadss"]I own a 2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL, with apx. 60,000 miles on it. Since I bought it in March 2005 I have noticed, when driving at night, the lights dim - sometimes almost to the point of going out - then come back. What I now find most troubling is that when I drive for more than 1/2 hour, my electrical system goes haywire. It tells me that my e-brake is on (it isn't) and the alarm won't stop sounding. It also registrers that a door AND the rear hatch are ajar (they aren't), the fog lights start flashing, the auto locks keep trying to re-lock, and my dome lights come on and off. The last time this happened, the car would not stop, not even after turning it off. The headllights continued to flash and the alarm inside the car would not stop. We had to disconnect the battery to stop the commotion. However, each time it happens - once the car cools down it seems to stop. If I'm only taking short trips within the city, everything is fine. Do you have any idea what the problem could be?[/quote:53ce3ad52c]

Hey thread,
Is your alarm system factory or aftermarket? It sounds like the alarm system may be at fault! Let us know!

Chris
Jan 27, 2007 at 11:11 PM
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It should be factory - I haven't changed anything since I bought it, and I still use the original Buick keyless entry remotes.

Also, it's not the regular car alarm that goes off --- it's more like the dinging sound that the car makes when you open the door when the car is on, however it's much faster.
Jan 28, 2007 at 2:06 AM
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CARUNDELL
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[quote:d9360e6e5b="threadss"]It should be factory - I haven't changed anything since I bought it, and I still use the original Buick keyless entry remotes.

Also, it's not the regular car alarm that goes off --- it's more like the dinging sound that the car makes when you open the door when the car is on, however it's much faster.[/quote:d9360e6e5b]

Ok, then it sounds like the issue is in the body control module and I would have to recommend a trusted shop or a dealership for repairs as special equipment is required

Chris
Jan 28, 2007 at 2:36 AM

Suggested Repair

Have the body control module diagnosed at a trusted shop or dealership, since special equipment is required. The heat-related false warnings, chime, lights, and locks after longer drives point to that module rather than an aftermarket alarm.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 2002 Buick Rendezvous reported lights dimming at night and, after drives longer than about 30 minutes, false parking-brake, door, and hatch warnings, flashing fog lights, cycling locks and dome lights, and a rapid door chime that continued after shutdown until the battery was disconnected. The problem stopped once the vehicle cooled and did not occur on short trips. After confirming the system was factory equipment and the sound was a chime rather than an alarm, the expert attributed the fault to the body control module and recommended a trusted shop or dealership because special diagnostic equipment is required.

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