Park and Dash Lights Blinking (not flicker)

[jk7k2b]

Just purchased a 2003 Avalon for my wife a few days ago. I drove it today and all was fine. When I got back in the car at about 9:30PM and started it up, the dash lights and parking lights started blinking, almost as if the emergency flashers were on. When I turned on the headlights and prepared to drive away, I could still hear the "flasher" clicking. After driving about 3 blocks and slowing for a turn, it seemed to quiet down, but started again after I removed my foot from the brake pedal.
There seemed to be no other problems other than the flashing. When I arrived home and pulled into the driveway, the flashing stopped. I shut down the car and decided to check to see if I could replicate the problem. As soon as I started the car again, the lights began to flash and continued to do so even after I removed the key from the ignition; stopping after about 20 seconds.
I plan on contacting the dealer regarding this, but would like to know if anyone else has seen something similar.

I've searched the forum using different keywords, as well as the Internet in general, and could not find any references to this problem.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
TIA,
John

[TrailDust]

to the nation, John!

I'm a 2002 XL owner and never encountered that issue before. Let me do some checking and see if I can dig up some info on that.

[jk7k2b]

I think I may have found the answer for this problem. Happened to go past the dealer today to pick up the license plate and spoke to the used car manager about this issue and a couple of others. He came out and test drove the car and was at a loss until realizing that the remote was not a Toyota unit. Some further checking allowed us to replicate the problem at will, and the concensus is that the vehicle alarm system is the culprit. We are not sure if it is a factory or aftermarket alarm, so I need to find out how to obtain a "build sheet" for the vehicle.

We do know that:
The remote is not a Toyota unit.
When locking the car with the remote, the lights flash but there is no beep.
There is a factory type LED on the dash above the fuel gauge (alarm?).
If you unlock the car and wait a bit, the doors will auto relock.

Questions:
Anyone know if it is possible to obtain build sheets, and if so - how?
Did all 2003 Avalons come with installed power locks and alarms?
TIA,
John

[grampas_avy]

Hi John, I have a 2000 XL, I dont know the answer to your build sheet question but the red led above the fuel gauge, the flashing lights when locking (marker lights not headlights), and re-locking if you don't open within 30 sec is normal factory alarm behaviour. The lack of the "beep" is the only thing that's not factory like. Maybe someone unplugged the beeper or figured out a way to disable it.