2002 Buick Rendezvous temp light on hot and car will not go voer 25

modelageek · 06-25-2012, 04:39 PM

This is a friend of mines truck. I have not driven or seen the truck since it has had the issue. it is at a Mechanic. I have not talked to the mechanic yet.

it has the GM 3.4 (la1 3400 v6)

The temp light came on indicating HOT. He say the truck will not go over 25 mph. The Mechanic changed the manifold intake gasket and checked the tstat and waterpump. The engine does not make any weird noises. The Mechanic is suggesting he consider a new engine. I will try and get more info but my friend does not know very much and the mechanic has the truck..........I am not sure if the truck is actually overheating............thoguhts?

killj0y · 06-25-2012, 05:45 PM

Well overheating would be obvious but it won't go over 25? Did he mention any other drivability problems? Smoke? so far it sounds like possibly multiple issues might and might not be related. What's the maintenance record like?

killj0y · 06-25-2012, 05:46 PM

Also any codes?

backroad101 · 06-26-2012, 10:55 AM

Just a technicality but a Rendezvous is really a minivan acting like a truck and not really a truck

**adsm08** · 06-26-2012, 11:12 AM

Sounds like it is in overheat mode. A lot of late-model vehicles have a special strategy they use when the computer sees an over-temp condition. Extra fuel is dumped, timing is retarded, and speed is limited. It's designed to maximize cooling from sources other than the cooling system and to minimize heat produced by the engine.

If the temp sensor is bad it might do this also. Just a thought since you didn't say it was loosing coolant or steaming out or puking or anything.

Explorin94 · 06-26-2012, 11:52 AM

Plugged catalytic convertor. Unbolt it from the rest of the system and look in it. You may find it plugged, thus letting the engine overheat by not letting the hot exhaust gasses escape and also not letting it get up to speed.

robertc1024 · 06-26-2012, 12:09 PM

Plugged up radiator? Both inside and out. Can you see light through it easily? Does it look like a witches brew inside?

**straycat** · 06-26-2012, 12:10 PM

It's a minivan, not a truck...a woman’s vehicle...lol. Your buddy needs to learn how to work on stuff. Another motor? If no coolant is leaking or the radiator is not smoking/steaming, it just might be an issue with a sensor or an exhaust manifold issue? Did your buddy check to see if coolant was in the radiator and reservoir? That is the first thing that even a 12 year old girl would know.

modelageek · 06-26-2012, 01:24 PM

Thanks for the reply's.....I talked to my friend. he said the temp gauge goes to hot but the gm product has never gotten to the point where it was overheating. I guess he stopped driving it. The mechanic told him he thought air was getting into the cooling system somehow(this is the reason he thinks he needs a new engine). The gm product has not lost any coolant and I don't think they have found any coolant in the oil.

He is going to talk to the mechanic in a day or so.

-I like the idea of it going into limp mode because of the hot issue is a good one

-The CAT idea is also interesting

-I am pretty sure they checked the radiator for crap.......can a radiator that does not appear clogged or have leaks still be bad?

I told him to see if he can get any codes

I'll keep you posted........Thanks

06-25-2012, 04:39 PM	#1
modelageek Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Year: 1999 Make: Ford Model: Regular Cab, Styleside, M5OD, 3.73 open 7.5 axle, RABS, 139k(3/08/2012), no A/C, Engine: 2.5(5w30) Class: 2WD Used For: As a Turd Vehicle Posts: 1,942 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	2002 Buick Rendezvous temp light on hot and car will not go over 25 This is a friend of mines truck. I have not driven or seen the truck since it has had the issue. it is at a Mechanic. I have not talked to the mechanic yet. it has the GM 3.4 (la1 3400 v6) The temp light came on indicating HOT. He say the truck will not go over 25 mph. The Mechanic changed the manifold intake gasket and checked the tstat and waterpump. The engine does not make any weird noises. The Mechanic is suggesting he consider a new engine. I will try and get more info but my friend does not know very much and the mechanic has the truck..........I am not sure if the truck is actually overheating............thoguhts? Last edited by modelageek; 06-25-2012 at 05:45 PM.
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06-25-2012, 05:45 PM	#2
killj0y Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Edinburg, TX Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Standard Cab Engine: 2.3l 4 Banger Class: 2WD Used For: DD and light duty Posts: 1,264 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	Well overheating would be obvious but it won't go over 25? Did he mention any other drivability problems? Smoke? so far it sounds like possibly multiple issues might and might not be related. What's the maintenance record like? __________________ 96 Ranger 2.3l 2WD Manual 5 Speed Throttle Cable Mod Permanently Fixed Cigarette Lighter Snorkel Mod 4" Rough Country Lift
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06-25-2012, 05:46 PM	#3
killj0y Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Edinburg, TX Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Standard Cab Engine: 2.3l 4 Banger Class: 2WD Used For: DD and light duty Posts: 1,264 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	Also any codes? __________________ 96 Ranger 2.3l 2WD Manual 5 Speed Throttle Cable Mod Permanently Fixed Cigarette Lighter Snorkel Mod 4" Rough Country Lift
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06-26-2012, 10:55 AM	#4
backroad101 Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Year: 1999 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT SuperCab Engine: 4.0L OHV Class: 4X4 Used For: 2nd vehicle / truck stuff. Posts: 970 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (1)	Just a technicality but a Rendezvous is really a minivan acting like a truck and not really a truck __________________ 99 Ranger XLT 4DR 4wd 4.0L OHV, Auto. Build Thread http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...d.php?t=110443
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06-26-2012, 11:52 AM	#6
Explorin94 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Farmington Il. Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: Trail Slut Posts: 2,135 Rep Power: 19 iTrader: (1)	Plugged catalytic convertor. Unbolt it from the rest of the system and look in it. You may find it plugged, thus letting the engine overheat by not letting the hot exhaust gasses escape and also not letting it get up to speed. __________________ HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
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06-26-2012, 12:09 PM	#7
robertc1024 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Marcos, TX Year: nada Make: Ford Model: 2008 F150 Engine: 2.9 Class: 2WD Used For: teach my boys to not get rid of a Ranger. Posts: 4,846 Rep Power: 46 iTrader: (0)	Plugged up radiator? Both inside and out. Can you see light through it easily? Does it look like a witches brew inside?
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06-26-2012, 12:10 PM	#8
straycat Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Year: 99, 02 and 06 Make: Ford /Jeeps/Etc Model: 99 Ranger 4.0L 2wd 33x12.5 KO tires. Grand Cherokee 4x4 4.0L Wrangler X 5.7 Hemi 87 Samurai 4x4 Used For: DD and trail rides Posts: 4,948 Rep Power: 28 iTrader: (1)	It's a minivan, not a truck...a woman’s vehicle...lol. Your buddy needs to learn how to work on stuff. Another motor? If no coolant is leaking or the radiator is not smoking/steaming, it just might be an issue with a sensor or an exhaust manifold issue? Did your buddy check to see if coolant was in the radiator and reservoir? That is the first thing that even a 12 year old girl would know. __________________ Straycat 99 Ranger XLT 4 door Supercab lifted 2wd 33x12.5x15 KO's on 15x8 AR polished rims Spare 33 KO mounted flat in bed/custom bed extender
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06-26-2012, 01:24 PM	#9
modelageek Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Year: 1999 Make: Ford Model: Regular Cab, Styleside, M5OD, 3.73 open 7.5 axle, RABS, 139k(3/08/2012), no A/C, Engine: 2.5(5w30) Class: 2WD Used For: As a Turd Vehicle Posts: 1,942 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the reply's.....I talked to my friend. he said the temp gauge goes to hot but the gm product has never gotten to the point where it was overheating. I guess he stopped driving it. The mechanic told him he thought air was getting into the cooling system somehow(this is the reason he thinks he needs a new engine). The gm product has not lost any coolant and I don't think they have found any coolant in the oil. He is going to talk to the mechanic in a day or so. -I like the idea of it going into limp mode because of the hot issue is a good one -The CAT idea is also interesting -I am pretty sure they checked the radiator for crap.......can a radiator that does not appear clogged or have leaks still be bad? I told him to see if he can get any codes I'll keep you posted........Thanks
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