Buick Rendezvous Transmission and AWD Problems
crnation16
Member Posts: 1
Yesterday my '03 RDV started skipping. At first I though it may have been my spark plugs until I looked at my gauges and realized that my tact was at 4000 rpm, and the car sounded like it was in neutral. The car began to slip in and out of gear. When I down shifted the car lurched as normal. The speedometer is not registering a speed at all. All of the other gauges are working properly. I have no idea what could be wrong and don't have the money to just send it to the shop. I don't mind doig things on my own as long as I am told what to do. The fluid levels are fine. As is the color. Does anyone have any suggestions, or experienced the same problem?
See Also: Common Buick Transmission Problems
See Also: Common Buick Transmission Problems
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Comments
If your RDV has the 4T65E transmission, see:
"Intermittant Harsh Shifting / Pump whining, Possible Code P1811:
This is perhaps one of the most common problems with this transmission. It has been a problem since the release in 1997 and can happen for no reason at all even with clean fluid and very low mileage. The EPC solenoid is probably bad and again is very common to happen. The EPC solenoid controls line pressure and has a spool valve which oscillates back and forth to regulate transmission line pressure based on commanded pcm signals dependant on lots of various inputs of the vehicle. The spool valve in the solenoid will bind up and cause loss of pressure control from the pcm. The pcm constantly monitors shift timing in milliseconds and if this is not within programmed parameters after a few shift cycles the pcm triggers trouble code P1811 which is Max Adapt / Long Shift. This code will not set the SES light but will dissable all adaptive shifts and will max out line pressure in the transmission which causes the harsh shifts and can also cause the transmission pump to whine because it is supplying fluid at a high rate and pressure and puts more stress on it thus creating the whine. Generally shutting off the car will make this condition go away until you drive a few more miles or the vehicle warms up and the harsh shifting will return. Replacing the EPC solenoid will most likely correct this condition and again is probably the most common problem found in any year of this trans. I will also add that a worn out transmission can cause this. If the fluid looks bad, dark, and smells burnt or lots of fine dark sludgde or a dark film of material is in the bottom of the pan then there is probably internal damage. Once clutches become burnt and have excessive wear shift timing will be greatly extended and the pcm will fall outside of its set parameters and code P1811 will turn on, again commanding higher line pressure and harsh shifts but an overhaul in this instance is the only proper fix."
Within: http://www.tripleedgeperformance.com/4T65E_Transmission_Info.html
Hope this helps...
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relays, each for shift relay, one located under the tranny, one inside the tranny.
I pretty much learned one of these was acting up when I was able to manually shift
from 1st to second with no problem, in either case shifting was normal after 1st gear
I havn't been able to reach the part under the tranny, it is located just above a cross arm in behind the wheel, I am going to have the part replaced soon when I buy new tires, it hasn't changed in performance since it began, but this may help you.
three days later there was a whining noise from the rear end when making slow right turns. back i went and the new estimate was 3500.00 for a rear diff carrier assembly. the day i took it back they said it was probably from having the rear diff fluid changed and asked if i had ever changed it. i let them know they had changed it last year at this time and their mechanic confirmed it was crystal clear.
is there any other options other than the major expense of the rear diff carrier assembly. I'm not trying to say they did something, but this is the second time they have made it sound as if the fluid should be old or dirty to cause this problem.
Finally,the light came on constant. I brought it to a local GM dealership for diagnosis.The cause was a bad "rear differential clutch pump actuator check valve",which is the piece on the front of the differential with a wire harness attached.The part was $422.00, labor was $262.00 which included the diagnosis charge of $120.00 i was initially quoted.
Its been awhile since I posted. 4.5 years ago my old RDV went through some very bad times, intake manifold, head gaskets and transmission failure (at 90,000 km which GM WOULD not help with) AC condensor for the 3rd time and radiator . Before this I had around 25 minor items repaired (wheel bearings, electrical shorts, trim falling off or cracking, chrome on wheels peeling off, just general poor quality issues)
Well over the last 4 years its just been general maintenance (O2 sensors, plugs and belts...etc). This year I had a brake line failure which was very serious. Its the front brake lines and it rusted out at the bend behind the firewall. My wife stopped the car due to a front wheel bearing failure (the whole bearing housing assembly failed and the wheel came loose). At the same time she noticed a huge puddle under the car (turned out to be brake fluid).
So please everyone have your mechanic inspect the front brake line just in behind the Master cylinder for rust and leaking. No one wants to have this fail on the HWY (dead meat). Very expensive to repair though 600 bucks with parts.
Also another expensive job just done was radiator failure (AC DELCO RAD) transmission fluid mixed with coolant (1500 bucks to fix.., but better than a cracked block as suspected by mechanic). So if you have a DELCO Rad keep an eye on your coolant for gunk mixing.
Current general maintenance, and there is a GM bulletin for this, is transmission coolant lines will leak. and mine are leaking. I regard this as general maintenance after 9 years on the road. However, alas I am looking at getting rid of my RDV to get something more reliable and not so expensive to keep on the road. This was my first GM vehicle and it looks like my last one. This one just left a bad taste in my mouth with poor quality and poor customer service. GM for this vehicle anyway will not stand by the customer. Lately they seem to be turning the corner, but its too late for me.
I will keep looking here for information and posting stuff until I rid myself of the RDV just to keep people posted on customer experience after 9 years on the road.
James
do you still have your 05 Rendezvous? Were you able to diagnose the transmission problem?? I have the same problem on my 06 Rendezvous and wonder what the result was.
Thanks,
Valerie
Yes, we still have the Rendezvous. I took it into our mechanic, and they couldn't get it to duplicate the problem. It only happens at certain times, usually when you try to accelerate at a stop sign/light. It will go for a month, not doing it. (sporadic) I'm under the impression that it might be a solenoid? (sp) It happened again this Saturday, when accelerating out into traffic.
Have you also had problems when you hit a bump the speedometer goes out? Either stays at zero or 90! What fun on a long trip. Our mechanic says that this is an issue with this car. Either control panel or computer. We had to use our GPS to know our speed. If we shut it off for a few minutes, everything works! It has been a great car until this!
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing. Were you planning on having the vehicle diagnosed by a GM dealership? Please keep me posted when the issue has been taken care of.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
Today was my daughters birthday. We were headed in to the restaurant for her birthday lunch and my car was acting bizarre. When coming to a stop, it shuddered and shifted hard; when going to take off, it did the same thing. Once I got up to speed, it seemed to stop, but coming to a stop or taking off it was shuddering. We made it to the place and had lunch and then went to go back home. If it was acting up before, it was much worse after. We chose to pull into Autozone and my hubby ran in to get some fuel additives because he thought the problem was caused by a fuel filter being clogged. After, when we went to leave, the car would not shift into R, and we did get it to shift into D but it was popping and acting crazy. Then it made a loud BANG and would not shift into any gear. The tranny fluid was black, something I had never seen before in my life. We ended up having to get the car towed less than half a mile to the dealership, and the employee there said it sounded like the transmission had gone. Really? I don't have a couple of grand just laying around to fix this!!
My biggest problem is now I am looking around online and seeing there are some similar issues with solenoids or something similar which could have caused this issue; AND i could have had it fixed for FAR less money. The car is not covered by the powertrain and it has 79k miles on it. I am flabbergasted by the fact that I could be having transmission problems at this low of mileage. (We always do the recommended maintenance on our cars) I really just feel like this is an issue that could have been fixed a long time ago and for much less money. I really don't see how, if the original whine was the beginning of the problem and it was missed somehow; that now I have to pay for that error. Shouldn't i just be able to pay what the smaller repair bill would have been for? I am really annoyed and angry right now.
Has anyone else had a similar problem or have a suggestion? I have half a mind to never own a GM again in my life and up until these problems started I was so in love with my car that I was NEVER going to buy anything but a Buick every again. Not so much right now. :mad:
Were you planning on having the vehicle diagnosed? Please keep me posted when the issue has been taken care of.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle. Have you been in contact with your local GM dealership? Please keep me posted when the issue has been taken care of.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
I've been getting a grinding/moaning when driving ~20-25 mph in instances where I am taking off from a stop light and the noise occurs I believe right after shifting into 2nd(?).
This grinding only happens when I am barely applying gas. The noise stops when I release the gas pedal or push it down more.
This grinding does not occur when I corner, only when going straight.
I feel like the noise is originating just to the right of my feet, perhaps directly below the radio/console.
Any tips to begin solving this problem would be appreciated.
Parts are around $1200 from the dealer. Though I found the drive shaft at a salvage yard for $100. You'll also need to change the rear differential Versa-Trac fluid when the drive shaft is replaced. That stuff was around $30 a pint.
Not bad except the fluid cost.
Ok, I went out driving today and was able to replicate my issue EVERY TIME.
Slight hill
Car from 0-27 mph, up shifting fine
at 27 mph, shifts until 3rd gear
IF I let the gas pedal back and allow the engine rpms to reach 1200-1400 RPM, and then apply gas, I get a VERY harsh grind beneath the radio/console.
The grind does not happen if I apply significant gas up the slight hill
The grind does not happen when applying the same method and going DOWNHILL
Thank you for sharing this input and any more would be helpful.
I've added some info above this message
Thank you for posting your concerns – if we can be of any assistance (looking into warranty or recall information on your vehicle, assisting in working with a dealership towards resolving this concern), please email us with your name/username, contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN, and your involved dealership.
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
I have addressed this issue twice with my local dealership and will be returning once more now than I can reproduce my issue.
If nothing is resolved, I will be contacting you in ~2 weeks.
Thanks again.
My wife heard a serious grinding sound under her 2004 Rendezvous with about 78,000 miles on it. I had it towed to the nearest dealer. They said the transfer case was shot and would cost $3,250 to replace. OUCH!!!!! Should a transfer case go out with that low mileage? I'm not sure the car is worth repairing at that price!! I just had the rack and pinion system replaced at over $1000!.
Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?
Thanks in advance,
JOe H
FYI I have a local mechanic that has worked on my 2005 Rendezvous (118K). This garage has always treated us fair and has always come in under the price that they quoted me. They have worked on our Saturn, and will work on our Porsche when it needs maintenance. Just saying a second opinion might help you keep your vehicle. We love our Rendezvous...has been reliable.
Schultzie
Thank you for the reply. We have a local mechanic also whom we trust. In talking to him he said it sounded like it was the transfer case; his price would be about $2950. He didn't think the transfer case should fail that early. We used to lover our Rendezvous.. now i'm worried about getting "thousands of dollared", instead of nickled and dimed, if we keep it.
Any chance GM might give any assistance on something like this?
Joe H
No other shifting problems occur. It does not do it all the time so I haven't had it to the dealership.
Any suggestions?
I can understand why you are frustrated given your situation. I see that you have done a few different repairs on your vehicle - were these done with our GM dealerships? If we can look further into any options with you, please get in touch with us via email with more information.
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
I'm sorry to hear that your Rendezvous is having some transmission difficulties. Has it been looked into already by a mechanic, either independent or with one of our GM dealers?
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Another issue I am having is with the service traction system, trac off, and anti-lock lights coming on while driving. Any fixes for this? I did see on another site that the only way to get that fixed is to change the harness but there is a burning or rubbing metal smell coming from the wheel area. I just bought this truck about two weeks ago and other than this it runs really good. I do not know if this would be covered under the warrenty I purchased either.
Sarah
GM Customer Service
We would be happy to look into this further. There is a warranty on replacement parts and labor through GM of at least 12 months/12,000 miles. There is a longer warranty on the transmission - are they replacing the entire transmission or have they ordered parts for it?
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service