hey yall, noise question...

[barkroc2]

Just bought an 03 cxl, it drives as nice as can be. 60k no problems that I no of, but the warranty runs out in a few weeks and I gotta fig something out. There is a rumbling noise that lasts about 10 seconds @ start up when cold, then intermittently after that. NEVER while driving, but when u stop at a light for example it does it. Today w/ the car on but not running it made the noise..driving me nuts! It drives fine like I said, it almost sounds like building pressure ina line somewhere? Idk. Can anyone answer this baffling noise??

[TopherS]

Our Rendezvous doesn't have many options, but perhaps that yours is a CXL, you have a lot of options we don't.

Do you know if you have automatic rear leveling system (keeps the car level, regardless of how it's loaded)? Our Park Avenue has that system and you can hear the compressor pumping up the rear shocks after you get in and start the car. It will also activate if the car is turned to on, but not started. Sometimes, the air-shocks will need a little air as you are driving and so you might hear the compressor working occasionally while driving (the computer is supposed to continually monitor the level as you drive and make adjustments if deemed necessary).

If you have that system, you can verify that it is the compressor by loading the back with weight (service manuals usually say 300lbs, but just have a person sit in the back). Close all the doors, then turn the car to on, but don't start it. There should be a few seconds before the compressor will kick in. If you hear it pumping up the rear and that's the sound you're concerned with...then you will know it is only that system.

If it is just that system and you only hear the noise after starting the car and on occassion while driving, then you shouldn't be too concerned. If your compressor activates a lot, it is an indication that you have a leak in the system somewhere (usually in the air-shocks or the air-line connections).

Hope this helps.

[TopherS]

...by the way...

If your warranty is fixin' to run out, you might consider having the car completely checked out before it does. We've had some major problems with our 03' (costing the warranty company over $4,700 between 2 repairs). I just posted to another thread about it...

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=947444

As I mention in my post. We really do like our Rendezvous and want to get another one...but 02' and 03' models have some issues. We are considering trying to buy another extended warranty if we don't trade our 03' in on a newer model.


I don't mean this to be a slam to the Rendezvous, but just a "here's what happened to us" story to let people know about potential problems. Hopefully, yours will be very trouble-free.

[barkroc2]

thanks for the fast and informative response! idk if ours has what your talking about, its not 4wd but aside from that it is loaded. so how do i tell? is there an actuator somewhere i can look for? and dont woory about turning me off to the car..its my wifes and she loves it. the warranty i was talking about is just the typical used car one 3k or 3 mos. i started reading about the reported problems with the rendezvous (manifold leak, gas leak, window noise etc) and i realized i would drive myself crazy "keeping an eye/ear out" for all that. EVERY car has its problems, just gotta cross your fingers sometimes and hope

[TopherS]

I'm not sure what the option code is for the Automatic Leveling System. You might do a search to find out what the RPO code is for that option (on the Rendezvous) and look on your SPID sticker (I think it's in that little compartment on the left hand side in the rear of the car). You could also look up under the rear wheel well at the rear shocks...if you see air-lines going into the sides, you have the ALS.

Might just be faster to put someone in the back, close the doors and turn the car to on. See if you hear the compressor activate a few seconds afterward. If so...that's probably the source of your noise. If not...then I'm not sure what the sound could be... (sorry )

Ours is the front-wheel drive version, as well. We get decent MPG with it, probably because it isn't the AWD version. I just wish we could put chains on it. We actually have chains, but at speeds above 15-18 MPH, they start hitting something underneath the car (oops!).

We've had ours for 4 years now (but only put about 20K miles on it in that time). Aside from the big engine issues, we've not had any of the problems other people seem to have with theirs. The engine on ours is the bugger...the rest has been great to us.

Hope this helps.

[barkroc2]

youve been a huge help ...thanks alot!!

that is the source of the noise i was hearing, louder than i'd like it to be, but at least it isnt something wrong with the vehicle