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Buick Park Avenue Maintenance & Repair

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Comments

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Thanks for reporting back to us about what you found fixed your problem. That should help others know what to check.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Time for an update...

    My car: 1998 BPA, 270,000 miles, gran touring susp.

    My window returned to it's former behavior of rolling down extremely slow during wet weather, and after a while it quit working completely - although you could hear the motor turning and making a grinding noise. Obviously some sort of nylon gear probably wore out.

    I looked up the details on the window motor and turns out the left side power window motors (front & rear) are identical and the right side motors match too. (*footnote Rockauto lists the front/left and rear/right as the same units, and vice versa but I have not found that to be the case)

    With this info I went to a local "pull it yourself" junk yard and found a similar car (these motors are used in more than one model - Caddy, Chevy..etc ) and picked up one out of a rear left door which I felt would normally be unused in a southern luxury car... compared it to mine to match it. *The r/r did not match my f/l.

    The replacement procedure is as simple as any window motor I've replaced.

    You don't have to tape or prop up the window, you pretty much remove the interior door panel, unplug the electrical connectors, remove the weather seal, remove the (3) 10mm bolts, pull the motor - the window stays in place. While you have it open spray lube on the hinge or pivot point of the power window regulator as well as the nylon wheel tracks. I feel the hinge is actually the point that is causing the slow rolldown, as after it was sprayed with lube I could move the window up and down while the motor was out. Before spraying it, it was very difficult to move the window up or down by hand at all.

    Next replace with the new motor, reassemble the seal, electrical connectors, and door panel, and you should be good to go.

    As my father's 2001 was behaving the same (slow on rainy days), we simply swapped his rear motor with the front motor and lubed the hinge and it is moving strong again.

    Again, in hindsight, I really feel the dry hinge is the problem part. It seems to build up corrosion or crud. After lubing, the window regulator swivels easier.

    I suspect this procedure would be the same for '97 thru '05 models.
  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Just to bridge the start to end of this problem for future readers:

    update 1

    update 2

    end of story
  • ginny55ginny55 Member Posts: 3
    I change the oil every 3-4000 miles and rotate the tires every 6-8000 miles. Firestone is recommending that I replace upper & lower radiator hoses ($257), Transmission Fluid Flush ($170), Tuneup 6 Cyl ($124), Replace Fuel filter ($92) and do fuel system tun up - Ever-Wear Fuel system cleaner ($90).

    The manual that I have doesn't give much detail about normal maintenance other than oil change and tire rotation.

    Does anyone have more detail? I love this car and want to keep it as long as I can.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Find yourself a good independent mechanic for your work. Firestone is trying to rip you off. That's my personal opinion.

    I just changed the top radiator hose on my 1998 (built in Dec 97). It has started to slightly swell near the thermostat. That's the hottest end and it deteriorates the most. It cost under $20 for a Dayco brand at PepBoys. I installed it myself. The lower hose is colder and I'm watching it because it's hardened some. This car is 11 years old. Yours is 4. Think you need hoses? I doubt it.

    Transmission fluid should have been drained and refilled every 36000 miles in my opinion. Manual says 100,000 or never. I do not recommend flushing. Have an independent shop drain, replace filter with Purolator $20, and refill with Dexron VI fluid. It also can use Dexron III which it came with. The Dexron VI is more like synthetic. Supertech brand at Walmart is what I used in my 03 and it was $2.79 quart. It takes 7 quarts.

    Tuneup may be anything. There is no tuneup any more. Replace plugs and wires at 100,000 or earlier. I'd do them about 80K.

    Fuel filter is most likely under the passenger side rear area inside the frame rail. It screws on at one end and has a snap on plastic fitting at the other. Cost $15? labor time about 15 minutes for a skilled mechanic.

    Wearever Fuel cleaner? Go buy a bottle of Techron by Chevron at Walmart, $5.95 12 oz., or Advance Auto parts, Autozone, or PepBoys. One may have a buy 1 get one free. There's a 12 ox for up to 12 gallons and a 20 oz for up to 20 gallons. Add to an almost empty tank and fill with premium. Then 2 or 3 tanks later repeat. your tank holds 18 gallons when filled.

    Find a new service place.

    Also drain your antifreeze, which is DexCool, and replace with fresh. That's the most critical on the list and they didn't even mention it. Maybe because it's work. Replace DexCool every 2 - 2.5 years just like the old style antifreezes.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Two more things to check are the engine air filter. I change about every 40,000 with a Purolator replacement.

    Also check the cabin air filter which is likely on top of the cowl when the hood is open, in front of the windshield wipes. I'm not sure of the physical layout of your specific car but it usually is an 8 by 12 rectangle with two little snaps that hold it down. Under it is a slide in and out air filter for the air entering the heater blower. Pull the old one out and look at it. If it's dust covered and smells moldy... I replaced with Purolator for about $16. I have tried washing and bleaching and replacing, but it just doesn't freshen up.

    The Purolator filter for the cabin says "Made in USA" in case you wonder why I usually buy that brand--PepBoys has them in my area.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Cabin air filter on this series BPA is under the dash, near the gas pedal and you need to be limber to swap it out. It is made up of 3 separate rectangle shaped filters that are taped together and locked with a tongue/groove type edge connectors. Have to be pulled out one at a time after removing tape. Installation is the reverse. Last time I priced they were around $27, your price may vary.

    As to replacing the radiator hoses, do what you feel comfortable with. If you travel cross-country a lot (crossing Death Valley gets hot), you may have it done for peace of mind, but as Imizadol97 said, the hoses really do last a long time. I finally replaced mine when my radiator gave out around 230,000 miles. They weren't leaking, I just did it to match the new radiator. Mine were probably around 10 years old.

    There are two trains of thought on the trans flush. I belong to the group that feels it doesn't hurt to flush, even high mileage cars. I did mine once when it had around 165,000 and again around 265,000. Original trans still... That price for the flush sounds high to me. I'd expect it to be around $79-89. Fuel filter is a quick swap of a $10 part, so personally $92 sounds high, but if you aren't a DIY'r, sometimes you just have to accept the parts and labor markup. Depending on your mileage, it may be a good thing to have done. You want the injectors to have a good flow of clean fuel that won't clog them up.

    75,000 miles on your BPA? I can't recall what the recommended fuel filter replacement interval is. Have you checked the back of your owner's manual? I thought there were some tables in the front or back of the manual that stated intervals. Perhaps a separate maint guide in the case?

    How long since the last tune-up? I'm personally happy with 100,000 tuneups. These engines are very reliable.

    On the fuel system tune-up, if they actually connect the 1 pint cylinder device and run a high quality cleaner (like BG) directly thru your injectors using regulated compressed air then $90 sounds about right, but if they are just adding cleaner to the fuel tank, I agree you could do it yourself much cheaper and use the leftover $$ to fill your tank a time or two .. :)

    I think you'll enjoy that car for a long time!
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    >75,000 miles on your BPA? I can't recall what the recommended fuel filter replacement interval is.

    If it's like the leSabres, there is no replacement interval. It's just if there might be a problem with the filter's ability to flow fuel. Personally I use good grades gas, seldom buy at a questionable station. I replaced filter on 98 at 100,000 or higher. When dried the filter didn't allow air through easily. The new one, of course, did. A filter that has caught stuff and is partically restricted puts more work on the fuel pump is some posters' thinking. Cheap part; easy replacement by self if medium ability and have tools to hold metal line and the filter both.

    >Cabin air filter on this series BPA is under the dash

    I'd forgotten that. But I had read someone posting about that earlier. I like mine where it's a stand up job! Easier.

    For the transmission, do one or the other, but do something. 75,000 is far past a good service interval. I'd be most concerned about the quality of the fluid that goes back in to replace the current fluid. The shops doing the flush may not want to use the Dexron VI. I consider that like the oil used by quickie lubes where you don't really _know_ what the oil is quality wise. You are trusting them.

    Plugs and wires when they deteriorate may load the electronic spark control module more. But the iridium plugs used and the GM wires are good.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • ginny55ginny55 Member Posts: 3
    Thank you for your response. It was very helpful. I am not a DIYer so must rely on others. As times are hard, I want to make good decisions with my money. thanks again.
  • ginny55ginny55 Member Posts: 3
    Thank you. I bought the car at 25000 miles and I don't think the cabin air filter has ever been changed. I will definitely get that done.

    Thanks again for your reply.
  • jhedrickjhedrick Member Posts: 1
    Hi,

    I have the same problem and was wondering if you found out why it was coming on.

    Thanks
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    The post to which you replied was from July 2007; the poster hasn't been on since December 2007. But I'll comment.

    There have been a lot of cases of the service stability system message. In some it's the sensor on the steering column not reading well because of gap between it and the column or other things. The four sensors at the wheels can cause problems with gaps, dirt, or corrosion on the contacts.

    you might watch to see if it turns on when you turn the steering wheel or when you hit a bump at one of the car wheels while they are turned. I've had my message come on but then it doesn't come on for a long time. I have suspected one of the wheels sensor connections and will reseat each one as I do the brakes over a period of time.

    The steering sensor was reset or replaced under warranty when my 03 was within the new car warranty.

    If you turn off the car and restart, usually mine will operate just fine. When the message has been on, the stability system is turned off. That's not much of a problem for me.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • karmabookarmaboo Member Posts: 9
    i have a 91 buick park ave. i changed the coil pack and ignition mod. but after driving for about 20 minutes the car seems to just shut down. it wont start right back up, i have to wait like 20-30 minutes. the last time it did it, it did start back up but i work across the city and need to make sure i can get there and back. someone mentioned cam shaft sensors but it seems everyone on here already tried that!! what should i do? i am getting plenty of gas and power, its just like its getting to hot and shutting down!!
  • karmabookarmaboo Member Posts: 9
    I bought a 91 park ave about 2 weeks ago. i had to replace the coil pack and ignition mod. because the car would shut down after driving for 30 minutes or so. since then, hte car will still shut down on me. there are no warning signs, it just dies out. i dont know what else to do, when i bought the car they said it had no problems what so ever. where do i go now? it dont overheat all the gages are fine and it runs great before it shuts down. what should i do?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Does it restart immediately? Does it take a while. If it won't start pull off a spark plug wire, put a screwdriver blade in and hold it close to the grounded motor while someone cranks to check for spark. No spark. Then look to crankshaft position sensor.

    If spark present then check for proper fuel pressure. Could be fuel pump. You may need to connect a fuel pressure gauge and duct tape it to windshield and drive around watching it.

    Could be main computer cutting out.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • solomon123solomon123 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 97 Buick park avenue. My driver side window does not work. I replaced the window control. I replace the driver door motor. What is causing my problem.
  • brian1998brian1998 Member Posts: 2
    I am replacing the rear shocks and I also will be replacing the sway bar bushings and links. Are there any other items that i need to be concerned with on the rear suspension, also are there any instructions or diagrams available for this procedure. Thanks, Brian
  • chrisptown1chrisptown1 Member Posts: 41
    recently purchased the above i can seem to get any heat out the rear vents above the console. any ideas? thanks.
  • jobug6jobug6 Member Posts: 6
    Hi, my 94 Buick Park Avenue just had its fuel regulator replaced because it was sort of jerking occassionally while driving at highway speeds. After that was fixed, it seemed to drive OK, except at around 1500 rpm, it would sort of shudder and jerk lightly. The mechanic said he would check it, but before I could get it in there, it started dying while braking, but only once in a while. (It is hard for me to get time off work to leave my car, so I put off going back to the mechanic.) I watch the alternator indicator and it doesn't go one way or the other. The car just dies with no notice or noise or anything. Suddenly no power steering. Fortunately, the times it has done this is either right before stopping or as I slow way down to make a turn. Today however, it was totally dead when I tried to start it. Click, click, click. The second time, I tried, it made a metal clanking noise. I got a jump and it started right up, drove quite well for a trip, but as I approached home, slowed down to stop at a traffic light, it died. The battery and alternator were replaced last winter. Also, the computer module was replaced last winter. Any help appreciated.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    The lack of ability to start after stalling might be a defective battery, corrosion on the cables at the battery especially the positive cables where two are on top of each other and corrosion can be in between them.

    The problem could be an alternator. The voltage indicator should go higher like 15-16 volts when you start the car after sitting and then drop gradually to about 13.5 - 14 volts after a period of time running.

    The stalling could be the EGR valve sticking or dirty. They stay open due to crud or sticking keeping them from closing which causes a poor idle and stalling. Then they will often restart just fine.

    The stalling could be a crankshaft position sensor. Lots of those are failing.

    A MAF sensor that is dirty measures the incoming air wrong and causes stalling and various problems.

    Because the car started right up with a jump, I'd suspect an alternator not charging the battery or a defective battery. But you said the needle doesn't change and it should be at 14 or so instead of at 12.6 when the car is not running.

    Somewhere like Walmart can check a battery and alternator and their hours may be long enough you can get in.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • karmabookarmaboo Member Posts: 9
    i have a 91 buick park ave, the rear brakes recently started sounding like the wheel of fortune when i hit the brakes, it sounds just like the wheel as it spins. it has a drum system but someone said i probably just need shoes for it. i have no idea but i hope you do. i was driving the other day and it started smoking out of the dash. kinda more on the pass side, but it smelt like anti freeze and even before that i would always get a wif of anti freeze. i was told my heater core was going out but i was then also told to check the thermostat. i know nothing about cars except that when i had the issue with my crankshaft you guys helped me and my car was fixed with your advice. so here i am again. looking for some help. along with those issues i cant get my vents on the dash to work, i never have been able to figure it out. i used the owners man to help but nothing worked. please write back and let me know what you think.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    You are going to have to have the rear drums taken off and the brakes checked to determine what is making the noise and why it is making the noise.

    heater cores do start to seep. Then the leak gets bigger. If you're smelling antifreeze, it's time to get it replaced after checking to verify the smell is from the heater core and NOT from a leak in water pump or hoses and so on under the hood. Those can give antifreeze smells that get sucked into the air intake just behind the hood and the smell comes into the passenger compartment also.

    The vents on the dash operate by vacuum. Check under the hood for a small vacuum reservoir with a tube going to it from the upper intake manifold area. The small rubber tube carries vacuum to the reservoir.

    Do any of the controls change the setting, say heater blows out the bottom? If not, then most likely you've lost all vacuum. Rubber tubes rot with age and heat and crack. Also it may just have been pulled off the reservoir connection when someone did sparkplugs or other work under the hood.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • karmabookarmaboo Member Posts: 9
    it still blows on the floor and the window defrost but not out of vents. i have tried every setting but it wont blow from vents still. when the car started smoking out of dash i popped hood and looked for smoke under hood. there was none, just from the dash. it all just happed out of nowhere. i was driving, stopped and when got back in the car and started it, it started smoking out of dash. heater still blows but barely gets warm now. no leakage inside of car nor any spots of anti freeze on ground outside of car. would you happen to know of any way i can install my cd player without tearin out the whole entire dash?? please say you do!! lol
  • chrisptown1chrisptown1 Member Posts: 41
    Hi again. when thaving my climate control unit changed at the Buick dealer on '02 PA with 76k i asked the ser,mgr. about the coolant change as i could find nothing in the previous owners records that it was ever changed He said GM is now recommending change @ 90k. this doesn't sound right. what is your experience. i live in Northern Maine (cold) if that makes a difference. thanks. all you guys are a lifesaver. :)
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    If the color is still an orange that means you have DexCool in it. It may have a slight cloudiness with a brown substance which was put in as an antileak in the form of pellets or a ground organic material that will clog seep locations and seal them up.

    I would have the coolant drained and refilled yesterday, even if you can't do it yourself like I do. I would get the old DexCool out, even though it most likely isn't causing you any problems. I would refill with fresh DexCool OR the equivalent by Prestone called Mixes with All Colors, which is a slight green color. Both bottles show the same active ingredients. I don't think it makes an difference to the seals in the motor's upper intake manifold and throttle body area that did develop some leaks due to coolant contact with the original DexCool formula back in 1997 or slightly later before the formula was changed.

    I would replace whichever you put in every two years or 35,000 miles, just like in the good old days. Maybe 3 years if you put lots of longer highway miles on it where the entire cooling system runs hot and circulates everything.

    Expressly, I changed out the DexCool in my 03 leSabre at 60K at the 2nd drain and refill. I rinsed 3 times with water and got most of the DexCool out so the coolant was clear after running up to temperature and draining. I put in the Mixes with All Colors. Note I did a previous change an put in new DexCool back in 05 (car was 2.5 years old). My 1998 is still running on DexCool after I changed the UIM at 150K and put on an aftermarket type. I did not have to change lower intake coolant seals against the heads--yet. And I don't expect to do so, even though the car had DexCool its whole life.

    What you don't want is a low coolant level in the radiator which allows air to mix with the circulating antifreeze. The air and earlier DexCool caused some deterioration and sludging especially on cars where someone added old style green antifreeze--the original non long life type. Checking water level in the radiator also catches any early leaks that may develop in the pre2000 motors at the EGR passage in the Upper Intake Manifold or at the throttle body passage seals with the UIM. Sometimes the loss of coolant doesn't suck back in coolant from the reservoir so the radiator starts getting low without the coolant reserve tank dropping. So occasionally check the radiator--when cool--to be sure it's full.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • nbeahmnbeahm Member Posts: 1
    I initially had this same problem. It ended up being simply plugs and wires. I replaced them and it ran great. Now, several months later, it is dying and sputters every now and then. My thinking is it's the fuel pump filter clogged. I had changed the fuel filter under the car prior to replacing the plugs and wires. It doesn't seem to be electrical, so I'm going to drop the tank on 11-7-09. I'll post an update afterwards.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    I would check the EGR valve. Remove and clean it. it may be sticking open slightly as you slow down and causing a stall. You might remove the electrical connector and drive the car on a day it's exhibiting that symptom and see if not having the EGR work my fix the problem. It may set an engine code, but that will erase eventually or you can have one of the box stores erase it with the reader. I believe the local Oreilly Auto Parts loans readers (I think that company uses other names in other parts of the country).

    You also should remove the MAF sensor and clean with an air intake safe cleaner or better a MAF sensor cleaner spray. I also used a soft camel hair artists type brush to lightly help remove "lint" from the wire. If you look closely it may look like an electrical charge has attracted fuzz to the wires in the MAF. Dry it and put it back on. The home test is to remove the connector for the MAf and start the car. But since yours only occasionally gives symptoms and isn't running poorly at start, that's not an option. The guy next door had a 3800 Gran Prix that would die or run poorly at times. Replaced MAF and it was fine.

    Unless your fuel tank has an opening in the trunk to change out fuel pump AND your fuel pump has shown low pressure, i sure wouldn't do a fuel pump. See if an Autozone or Oreilly will loan you fuel pressure gauges with a long hose and connect it and tape to windshield on outside with duct tape and drive the car until it sputters and see if the fuel pressure dropped at that time.

    If it's the fuel sock on the fuel pump, that would show in your gauge work also. That is rare but usually sucks [non-permissible content removed] onto the sock more as it runs a longer time and then when car stalls and suction stops, the [non-permissible content removed] falls away allow better pressure again. Just doesn't fit here. If I thought I had goop in tank, I'd do a couple of strong Techron Fuel System Cleaner dosings when tank is almost empty. The high concentration of cleaner added before adding fuel should dissolve a lot of nonparticulate forms of accumlated stuff in the tank.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    There have been a number of posts about the fuel / gas gauge needle flipping around clockwise when the battery is disconnected or too low. The needle ends up stuck underneath the empty tank side pin.

    Some of the repair options have been to drill a small hole in the instrument cluster cover by the fuel gauge and use a paper clip to flip it back up, or use a magnet to draw the needle back around to the top side, or disassembling the instrument cluster and flipping it back up with your finger.

    I don't know what the actual issue is, whether a capacitor is failing or some other electrical component, so I can't offer any advice on repair of the actual cause. But I have another workaround.

    I personally didn't want to drill a hole in the gauge cover, and the magnet trick wouldn't work for me. I ended up pulling the cover off, and flipping it back, but after doing it more than once, I wanted a permanent solution. I noticed in some of the newer models (especially the Ultras, 2002 on up) they have now put a pin on the right ( full tank ) side of the fuel gauge, I assume to prevent it from flipping all the way over. Hmmm... redesign?

    I decided to imitate the 2002 model and make a pin to the right to prevent it from flipping over again. repair pics here along with pic of the factory 2002 Ultra pin.

    Any of the methods may work for you, this is just another option to choose from. :)
  • phillychoppinphillychoppin Member Posts: 1
    I just purchased a 2004 Park Avenue. When I got it home I noticed about 3 inches of water in the spare tire well in the trunk.

    I called the dealer and they said it was probably the trunk gasket.

    Is this a known issue with these cars?

    Thanks for any help!!!
  • cruiser59cruiser59 Member Posts: 3
    I had the same issue, but with not as much water depth as you had. The solution was to replace with adhesive the entire gasket, problem solved. I'm in S Florida where it doesn't rain, but torrents in the wet season.

    Let me know how you make out. Check Ebay first for replacement gaskets, the dealer will kill you on pricing.

    Good luck.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    >Check Ebay first for replacement gaskets

    Also gmpartdirect.com
    rockauto.com

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • bigdaddy59bigdaddy59 Member Posts: 1
    The clock display in my 04 PA throws out a different time each time ignition switch is turned on. SM at local dealer didn't know. Anyone experienced this?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Is your clock in your radio? Do your radio preset stations change also instead of keeping their setting?

    There's a separate circuit and fuse for the radio memory.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • dtracy2dtracy2 Member Posts: 2
    Does anyone know where the relay is for the rear defogger is on a 2000 PA?
  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Hello DTracy

    Your owner's manual would probably be your best source of info, but it should be in a fuse block box underneath your rear seat.

    To remove the rear seat: Lift from under the front bottom edge of your rear seat and it will pop up, then pull it forward to remove the bottom section of the seat and reveal the fuse box.

    When you unscrew the cover off the box , there should be a legend inside the cover identifying the various fuses and relays.

    The one labled 'Htd bk lite' should be for the defogger. Large grey relay.

    Pictures of 2003 rear fuse box and location
  • dtracy2dtracy2 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the info bowfan it is always helpful was looking for it in the owners manual but didnt know it was listed under heated back lite saw it but didnt realize.

    thanks a bunch!
    Dtracy
  • jpf3jpf3 Member Posts: 2
    Hello everybody !
    First please thank you to be indulgent with my poor english .I am french and I live in France.
    In 1996 I got a new Park ave .. A few weeks later I learned that GM ceased the importation of Buick in Europe .So it is sometimes difficult to find good mechanics for maintenance .
    The car has now about 100 000 milles and runs quite correctly

    However I have a problem with the steering wheel .When I go for a long period on a straight road the bar of the wheel is pretty horizontal in a normal position .If I have to turn sharp right this bar does not come back at its initial position when the turning is finished but it remains at about 10 degrees to the right, depending how sharp was the right turn and it remains like this even when the road is straight again . The same phenomenom occurs when I must to turn left .

    Actually there is no great problem to drive this car save on highspeed - say up to 80 miles per hour, our speed limit here in France on highways - At these speeds it seems that the car becomes heavy to turn and that I have to force it to take the bends because it tends to turn less fhan necessary
    There is no looseness at all in the front wheels .The wheel alignment has been set at regular intervals and everything is normal .A mechanic once said me after having checked everything that the problem could come from the hinge bearings which are up the front shock absorbers.

    Any opinion on that ?

    Many thanks in advance

    PAPY JP
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well if the steering wheel is 10 degrees off, but the car is, in fact, going straight, then I would think the steering rack is worn. If you wiggle the wheel just a little, does the car respond or no?
  • dave1081dave1081 Member Posts: 9
    Same thing happened to my 1992 LeSabre (120,000 miles) a few months ago. Steering wheel would not come back to center sometimes, even when going straight. I also began to get a "ping" sound while turning the wheel when parking or going very slow (like a knuckle cracking). Steering wheel got worse over a 3 month period - I had no money at the time for repairs. And then I noticed front tires were worn VERY unevenly.

    The problem was the right front strut mount. Too much labor to replace just the mount, so it was best to have strut, spring, and mount replaced as 1 unit on each front side ($300 X 2). Also bought a new set of 4 Uniroyal T-rated Tiger Paw tires and had complete alignment ($350 + 50). This $1000 is all I've put into the car since I bought it 1 year ago for $1200 - and now I know what the "Buick Ride" is all about! It rides like new - straight as an arrow (look ma - no hands!). I've trusted the mechanic for years and I know I got a good deal - though I might have saved the tires had I acted sooner. Live and learn.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Yes I would think with a bad strut mount/bearing you'd get a lot of noise to tip you off.
  • saw_6saw_6 Member Posts: 1
    have a 95 the horn stays on had to unpluge them none of the power locks work and i thought the egr valve was bad got a new one still hestitates when i give it gas the moter is a 3.8 supercharged helpme plz i dont know what to do or whats wrong thank you :confuse:
  • jpf3jpf3 Member Posts: 2
    To Mr Shiftright and Dave1081
    Many thanks for your answers that are highly appreciated !
    I apologise to have delayed this message but, as I am not familiar with this american forum I could not find my post again and,of course , your answers .

    To Mr Shiftrigh : I do not remember having tried to wiggle the wheel when driving but I have never noticed that the car did not respond correctly, whatever the steering wheel position, except at high speed on the highway as I explained on my original message.

    To Dave : Your message confirms the french mechanics diagnostic but I did not understand how the entire suspension device can be cheaper than thr only strut
    Both of the struts of my car have now less than 10 000 miles but they did not change the bearings that are above .

    Thank you again to both of you

    Papy jp
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    This may be too hockey but you could go to JC Whitney get a truck turn signal
    set up and be street legal for less than 600.00.
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    HOLD IT! It is not the motor it is the rubber channel. This happened to my 99
    park ultra. A buddy had a similar problem with his Chrysler 300. I went to a Dealer
    in Las Vegas a Chevy dealer and got the channel it was so easy to replace. You
    have to remove the trim panel. Then it is easy fix. Mine works great now
    no kidding
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    The very first time this happenned I had my entire family of now six adults in the car
    in was thanksgiving on the way to baba house in anaheim. The car just turned over
    to 100,000 miles it was on empty the gas gauge spun like the twilight zone. I said
    out loud, "you see' when you hit 100,000 miles Buick gives you a free tank of gas.
    My wife at first thought I was serious until she thought about it then everybody had
    a good family laugh.

    I see your fix and I am impressed as I went the paper clip and drill the hole route.
    So please show us how to remove it from the car. Maybe I can fix the oil pressure
    light as well while I am at it. More than likely I will remove bulb so that I do not have to look at it again.the oil pressure light. Note if I had no Oil pressure the car would stop anyway.
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    I had a similar problem it turned out the TyRES needed to be matched correctly.
    This stopped that problem. If your brake rotors are bad you can also get shimmy
    and high speeds
  • mikekenny3mikekenny3 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 1997 BPA with 3800 engine. I have a problem with my tranny making a metalic growling clanging noise when the car is at a stop and the front wheels are slipping in snow. If I turn the traction control off the noise stops immediately. I also get this noise if trying to accelerate too heavy from a stop in rainy conditions. What the heck is happening down there? Anyone got any ideas?

    Thanks, Mike
  • dizogedizoge Member Posts: 1
    use a strong magnet wrapped in a paper towel set on instrument cluster and rotate the needle back around. 5 minute fix.
  • karmabookarmaboo Member Posts: 9
    Awhile ago i hooked up a cd player in my buick park ave, its a 91! The cd player is pioneer, i dont know if that makes a difference, but about 2 weeks after installing cd player my battery drains after about 4-5 hours. its a brand new battery only about 2 months old. i asked the guy who hooked it up how he did it and he said it is NOT connected to the battery. i even tested by seeing if cd player worked without car being on. Which it does not. I can jump start my car and disconnect battery and then when i need to go, i can hook it back up and it starts fine. i have replaced coil pack with ig mod. also redone crank sensor. i cannot figure out why the battery is draining. can you please??
  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Hi karma,

    OK, did you hook it up, or the other guy? :)

    You'll probably want to do a ( google / bing / yahoo ) search for "find parasitic battery drain". There are a lot of how to articles that will explain it better than I can. It's possible wires weren't hooked up correctly, or maybe when rolling around inside your car, another wire was cut or crushed - for instance wiring to the power seat. Or maybe when the battery was disconnected / hooked up during the install something went wrong. Are the battery clamps tight? Broken?

    If it drains in 4 - 5 hours, that is a huge short. Even though it's a new battery, you may want to charge it and have it tested. Batteries do go bad prematurely sometimes.

    It could also be a problem with your alternator. Have you checked the voltage at the battery when the car is running? Should be about 13.5 - 14.5 VDC.

    If all is good so far:

    To find out where the power is being drained, you'll need a good DC ammeter that will tell you how much current you are drawing. If you see it is drawing a good amount of power with the key off, you'll need to start pulling out every fuse until you see the current draw go away. Reinstall each fuse after checking the ammeter, or having your helpful assistant check it. When you pull a fuse and the current draw goes away, you'll be on the right track to know which circuit is draining your power. If it is the radio circuit, you'll probably want to double check the install work.

    One last thought, did you mean you disconnect the battery with the engine running after jump starting it?

    You used to be able to do that with older cars, but if you disconnect the battery on a car such as yours, you'll probably burn up some components in your alternator, like diodes. That would be bad.

    Hope this helps and you find the drain! Sorry it's not more detailed, but if you search you'll get it. Let us know what you find. ;)
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