Archive for the 'Buick' Category
Ben’s question:
Question: I have a 1989 Buick Century 112,000 miles with a 3.3L V6. I have put new plugs, O2 sensor,wires, ignition module, fuel filter, 5 fuel injectors serviced at NAPA and bought a new one. The car runs pretty good when first started, as the engine warms up it misses under load and then misses at a idle sometimes stalls when in gear. Should I check for a clogged catalytic converter or ??”
Answer:
I doubt if it’s a clogged converter, because they have definite symptoms such as the engine will begin to run hotter on the temperature gauge, and the car will not be able to go over a certain speed (a small clog may limit you to fifty, a big one can limit you to ten miles per hour top speed.) First, I would really question the injector repair. If one injector was replaced, and the others merely cleaned, you may never get it to run correctly. The new injector is going to flow differently than the other old five ones, and odds are those five are on their way out like the one you just had replaced. I would start there to begin with. Also have the fuel pressure and volume tested, as a weak fuel pump can give your symptoms. And of course, replace the fuel filter as that’s simple and cheap. Good Luck,
Samara’s question:
I have a 95 buick. I recently bought new tires, and had the brakes adjusted. The next day the back left wheel started making a tick tick tick noise that sounded like something in the tread. There was nothing in the tread. It ticks with the rotation of the tire. whether or not I am pressing the brakes. If I just roll the car very slowly it sounds more like a creak. It has always been the same noise until this morning, it suddenly got very loud but then went back to its ‘normal’ volume. any idea what I should check?”
Answer:
They may have adjusted the brakes too tightly, but really, those brakes are supposed to be self adjusting brakes. There are springs and a little ratcheting adjuster that automatically adjusts the brake shoes to the correct notch as you drive. If this mechanism isn’t working right, you should have the adjuster replaced (or taken apart and lubricated so it does adjust itself.) SO, if I were you, I’d go to a different mechanic if the old one didn’t explain any of this to you. Because your Buick should never need a brake adjustment and if it did, then it should have been fixed to work correctly–not just “adjusted.”
Jack’s question:
“I have a 96 Buick Park Avenue. This morning, I opened my car as usual but I cannot open the driver’s side door both inside and outside. I crawled inside from the front passenger door and found out the lock is stuck. No matter how hard I pushed it, it won’t come to the position as usual. How should I tackle the problem? Thanks”
Answer:
Often, that’s a problem with the electronic door locks (if you have such a system.) Unfortunately the motor burns out and freezes up in the lock position, making opening the door impossible. Try as hard as you can to manually open it from the inside. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to either cut holes in the door panel from the inside to access the frozen lock assembly and disconnect it OR pay a mechanic to do it. Good Luck,
Ron’s question:
” I have a 1996 Buick Century. I drove it in the morning. In the evening, as I tried to start it the instrument lights came on breifly then everything went dead (no lights, radio, etc). I have not yet checked it but it seams if the battery is going out the lights and the radio would work. Do you think it is just the battery or could it be something else. Thanks! I enjoy your web site.”
Answer:
It’s probably just the battery, but of course check the battery connections as a loose terminal can do the same exact thing. If you want to save money but still do it right, jump start the car and go to a place like Auto Zone. They will check your battery for free and your alternator, and if you need a battery, buy one there and they also install it for free.
Dave’s Question: I’ve got a weird one. Sometimes my 2005 Century will continue cranking after I let go of the ignition key. And sometimes I’ll let go of the key because it’s not cranking the engine at all, but then the engine magically cranks and starts up. What could be doing this?
Answer: Well, you have one of the Buicks that actually uses the main computer (ECM) to start the car. And sometimes there is a lag between your turning the key and the computer sending electricity to the starter. Buick says this is just a normal attribute of these computer started Centurys. So I wouldn’t worry about it. But I do sort of worry about engineers who are making these computer starting systems. They end up adding a lot of cost to repairs, and have made a relatively simple task of sending electricity to the stater a more complex one. And as we all know, that often leads to expensive problems down the road.
Question: I recently purchased a 2007 Buick Lucerne. The steering wheel often makes a clunking noise when I make wide turns. It just doesn’t seem right to me. Have you seen this before?
Answer: Yes, of course it’s under warranty due to its age. So take it back for free repair. I’ve seen what’s called the “I shaft” in the steering column cause such a noise. So tell them you want the I shaft replaced. One of my customers had his replaced at the dealer for free. It still makes some noise, but is a LOT quieter now.
Buick Lucerne 2006
Question: My 2000 Buick LeSabre has just failed the yearly emissions test. It had code PO440 for evap system leak. I changed the gas cap like a mechanic suggested, but the code came right back. What should I try next?
buick-lesabre
Answer: OK, you’ve got a leak somewhere in the evaporation system. Mechanics like myself use a smoke machine and scan tools to search for the leaks. Sometimes this can be a Royal Pain. BUT, in the case of your LeSabre, the vent valves go bad quite a bit. So you might take a change and install a new vent valve on the evap system. You can buy it at any dealer and they can show you a picture of where it goes on their computer. Since they’ve had a lot of problems with these vent valves, I’d advise purchasing the newer design valves which only the dealers presently have in stock.
