Weird electrical symptom, 2002 Caravan

Yesterday evening, when I went to start my 2002 Caravan SE, the
exterior lights, front and rear began flashing. At first I thought the
4-way flasher was on.

After checking that it wasn't, I realized that it was the headlights
and taillights that were flashing in an alternate side to side
pattern, just like ambulances or police cars flash.

Turning the ignition off, lights off, 4 way flasher switch off, turn
signal switch off, etc made no difference .

I finally got it to stop by pulling a battery cable and resetting the
computer.

What the heck caused this?
There is no burglar alarm system in the car, at least none that I know
of. I've owned the car since new and it's never done this before.

Is there some sort of emergency public service type flasher function
built into the computer? Obviously, you can't drive the car this way
with headlights flashing side to side, you'd get pulled over pretty
quite.

Of course, until then, it might make it easier to run red lights....


Anyone else ever see this?

tnx,

Doug

 

Did you press the "Panic" button on the keyless entry fob? That will cause
the situation you described.

 

There is no panic button, there is no fob.
This is a base Caravan SE with no power door locks with of course, no
keyless entry.

However, perhaps that function is built into the computer and some
glitch triggered it.

Doug

 

| On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 17:31:02 -0500, "James C. Reeves"
|
| >Did you press the "Panic" button on the keyless entry fob?
| >That will cause the situation you described.
| >
|
| There is no panic button, there is no fob.
| This is a base Caravan SE with no power door locks with of
| course, no keyless entry.
|
| However, perhaps that function is built into the computer
| and some glitch triggered it.
|
| Doug
|
|

Hmmm...could be possible. Since the vehicle did what it did strongly
suggests that the module that makes that happen exists (even though you
haven't the option/method to activate it). As you point out...something
must have triggered it though...power surge, loose wire, garage door opener,
who knows what? I'd tell the dealer about it..maybe there is a TSB on it.