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Noticed this morning that my lights weren't as bright when I went to unlock my Rendezvous. The alarm wasn't quite as chipper when I set it. The engine turned right over but there is a whirring noise when I turn accessories on and off. The vehicle has 41K miles on it. Any ideas on what the problem could be?
Then the a brake caliper went. The mechanic said the plastic/rubber diaphragm used to push the caliper back failed.
This weekend I go in and he says the front left inner tie rod needs replacement and the right strut is bad. I could hear the strut, so I know it's correct. Mechanic says it's the plastic at the top that contains steel bearings that fail.
Overall, mechanic says they are just using cheaper parts. I remember in the 80's on GM products that when 60k came around, you were usually replacing the starter, alternator and water pump. Suppose that now it's the front end parts that need replacements?
The caliper can be rebuilt using a rebuild kit. You either have a bad "O" ring allowing fluid past the piston, or your dust boot is bad. Not an expensive kit to buy.
Ever since they have gone to "lubed for life" components and have done away with most if not all of the zerk fittings, the life expectancy of the parts has gone down. Many vehicles use to have 11-13 zerk fittings, now you are lucky if you have two.
. I do understand the older RDV's had some issues, but the newer ones are really nice and reliable.
I also checked the Buick site and Edmunds site for an answer to your question. It looks like the Memory Package is only offered on the CXL.
Thanks [442455]
Apparently some plates at AWD gear box are coming too close (rubbing each other). This must not happen. Last year they changed fluid and conditioner and the noise (like viu-viu-viu) was gone for 8-10 months.
Last night I dropped the car off with dealer again. They offered same S... explanation again and said I have to keep servicing rear gear box every year changing fluid and conditioner.
I am ENG and my wife too. She spend year in automotive deign and QC and this was BS explanation.
We asked for more inputs from GM. Today the dealer is clinging entire AWD system, flushing all fluids out, cleaning gears and plates, etc.
We shall see how it would work out. I have extended warranty for another 1 ½ year. I have to keep an eye (ear) on this. If it happens next spring I will ask for the replacement of entire gearbox.
Otherwise not other issues with the car. (Check breaks regularly. My front calliper ceased. It is warranty issue, however all my breaks were damaged due to wrong breaking force distribution another $ 700+ not out of pocket). I could have not noticed due to ABS.
Recall of ball joints was done a month back, so it is not the issue.
Regards, Vlado
I am especially concerned because the vehicle is about to go past 100K, after which GMC will no longer cover the tab for the dreaded intake gasket repair. However, the advisor says because I have documented my concern, and his manager is aware of it, they will ensure GM covers the repair if the gasket fails over the next few months. I know, but at least it's some peace of mind.
I have to say, other than this concern, my RDV has been nothing but a pleasure to own... nothing but oil changes. That's why I'm willing to give it a chance, rather than taking the insurance hit of owning a Honda Civic again.
Cross your fingers for me.
Also, is there a Buick Rendezvous Haynes (or similar) repair manual. I can't seem to locate one for the Rendezvous.
Thanks in advance.
Gembo
1) With the ignition off and the key in the ignition, open the driver's door. If no chime, then
2) Do the courtesy lights turn on when you open the drivers door? If yes, then
3) Turn the ignition ON with the engine OFF, turn ON the radio, adjust the radio balance and fade to the left front speaker. Does the speaker operate properly? If yes, then
4) According to the service manual, replace and do the set up procedure for the replacement radio.
You might want to try this before going to the dealer because if the speaker does not work properly, you have a speaker problem.
Gembo
I hope this solves your problem. Cheaper than having to go to a dealer to have a scan tool hooked up or having to replace the radio or BCM.
If you are not able to do the work yourself, go back to where the original work was done on the window support, or try some type of audio store such as Best Buy or Circuit City.
Good luck and post what you find. Steve
Gembo
I would recheck the wires for the speakers in the door, and pull off the connection and reconnect them to make sure they are on correctly and that none of the speaker tabs that the connectors plug into are broken. Perhaps they had to remove a speaker to do the window work and something got broken or cut?
The BCM is an expensive item and has to be programmed by a dealer if a new one is put in. I am sure you would be looking at $400-$600 to have it done. I removed my wife's factory CD/Cassette radio and installed a factory 6 Disc CD radio. The radio than had to be programmed by a dealer in order to work with the BCM. Two dealers wanted over $80 and I found one that did it for $45.00
I would double check the speakers since I think this is where you will find the problem, unless you are having other issues with the items controlled by the BCM.
Another thought. I am not very sharp on electrical stuff in cars, but I was able to get power, via a volt/ohm tester, on one of the speaker (the large bottom one) connectors. I could not get power to show on the upper connector. Does this sound right or am I not testing it properly??
I also wanted to ask another question. Is the fact that since the driver door speaker is the only one not working, that the problem is most likely in that door or could it be coming from the radio? I realize that this is a far fetched question, but was just curious.
Thanks again, Gembo
Since you are getting power to one of the speakers, I again think there is something wrong with the harness or connectors somewhere. Can you use your tester to check the upper speaker connectors for a continuity check? Make sure there is no power on and check for continuity. This will tell you if you have an open or closed circuit.
I still think you on the right path checking out everything inside the door panel. Yes, it could be the radio or BCM but again I would double check those speaker connections and wires.
Gembo
Check out Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands too - guess GM should pull out of every continent except NA so those folks won't have to buy a brand not native to their home country. :shades:
Yes,the 2002 RDV's bad reputation is very well known.We took a $6000 bath when we dumped our lemon 2002 CXL RDV in March 2004.Most dealers chuckle when you bring one in to trade it off.
Lots of dealers would only offer us $14,000 for a 2 yr old 35,000 mile loaded CXL that listed new for $37,000.We finally found a Toyota dealer that gave us $18,000 for it and let it go.I feel sorry for the people that got it after us.They never even called us to see why we got rid of it.
We are very happy with our 2004 Toyota Highlander Limited which has been problem free.
Good Luck!