Question: 1994 Buick Century wagon mileage: 86,000. Power window (left front) works partially (4 inches or so) then needs a rest of 4-5 minutes before it will work again (for an inch or two). With patience it will open or close a little at a time with repeated waits (rests). What is the repair strategy?
Answer: Check 12-volt power to the window motor when the windows will not work. You may be having problems with the motor drawing too many amps and kicking out a circuit breaker. If this is the case, you will have to replace the window motor.
Question: 1985 Buick Century mileage: 205,000. Hi...I have problems with the radiator hoses collapsing.... especially after shutting the car off. New radiator, heater core, thermostat, hoses, and cap. Also, have got all the air out...no head gasket problems either?
Answer: Your collapsing radiator hose problem is probably caused by a faulty or the wrong type of radiator cap. On the correct radiator cap, a small valve opens up when the engine cools down to prevent the radiator hose from collapsing.
Question: 1991 Buick Century mileage: 104,000. Problem #1 - About 45 mph when converter clutch (T.C.C.) comes on, car starts jerking and bucking hard. Acts like bad ignition module under engine load. Ignition module replaced, along with coil packs, spark plugs and wires. No change. Problem #2 - When taking off from a stop or trying to maintain freeway speed, car keeps going slower. More gas given, slower it went. Acted like a carbureted engine with a bad accelerator pump. Then it would suddenly take off. The next time you stopped and/or if you turned the a/c or defrost on, same thing again - only much worse. Replaced throttle position sensor (T.P.S.) Problem #3 - Check engine light - code 44 - lean fuel system or exhaust. Replaced O2 sensor, fuel filter, fuel pump relay and had injector cleaned. Cleared computer code. Problem #4 - The real problem! These are all related to one common reason - these problems only happen when it rains. I have checked all the wiring, can't find and exposed or corroded wires or connections, checked ECM - dry as a bone. After it quits raining and dries up car runs great. HELP!
Answer: Recheck the wiring connectors that control the engine management system. One of the connectors may be corroded causing high resistance.
Question: 1988 Buick Century mileage: 130,000. Recently, the Service Engine Indicator light came on. The diagnostics revealed a code 34, which points to the Mass Air Flow sensor. However, about 10 months ago, the same thing happened and the mechanic replaced the following: Mass Air Flow sensor; Computer Module; two (2) "PROMS" (chips?). The mechanic stated that the bad computer module caused the MAF to go bad. Since these parts are out of warranty, I'm back to square one. The symptoms include: rough engine, a/c suddenly doesn't put out cold air, engine gets real hot. 1. Is it possible to determine whether the problem is the MAF, Computer Module or both? I am minimally mechanically inclined, by the way. 2. What are the two "PROMs" and would I have to order them separately? 3. Where, on this model, is the computer module located? Tom...
Answer: The first order of business is to correct the engine overheating. Check for coolant leaks, plugged radiator and proper radiator fan operation. We doubt seriously the computer module will cause the mass airflow sensor to fail. What is probably causing your code 34 is a non-functioning burn off relay for the mass airflow sensor.
Question: 1988 Buick Century mileage: 133,000. My car has been to the Buick 3 times and they stated they don't know what is wrong. There are no codes. The car puts out black smoke and dies within 30-45 seconds but starts up right away and does the same thing. We replaced the mass airflow sensor, O-2 sensor fuel pressure regulator air filter. The injectors are about 6 months old. Neither the dealer nor I know the problem. The dealer now wants to replace the computer as a GUESS and last resort.
Answer: Have the car checked for a partially plugged catalytic converter. Also, check the ground wires for the ECM. The coil pack and module may possibly be failing.
Question: 1989 Buick Century mileage: 100,000. My car was running fine! Then without warning it quit & wouldn't start again! My question is where is the fuel pump relay fuse located? I can't find it in any manual?
Answer: The fuel pump relay is located on a bracket on the right front corner of the engine compartment. A 12-volt test light will verify whether or not power is getting to the relay. Some fuses are not marked in the fuse box. Check all the fuses with the 12-volt test light.
Question: 1985 Buick Century mileage: 61,596. On my century I completely rebuilt the motor ring cam lifter valves, valve seat block checked heads done, now the problem is it won't fire up. I get good spark to all the spark plugs and double-checked timing chain and cam gear to make sure it was in line and had a mechanic trainee check it and we're at a loss as to why it won't start. Compression on the cylinders ranges from 36 to 40 psi. I take it the new rings haven't seated, but if it won't start how can they? Do you have any idea as to why it won't start? Could it be something in distributor?
Answer: Most likely your car will not start because of the low compression; 36 to 40 psi is way to low. We doubt seriously that the rings are the problem. Check the valve timing and also valve clearance; the valve may be too tight.
Question: 1985 Buick Century mileage: 61,596. Item having trouble finding the correct routing the vac and emission hoses. Like EGR< ported vac switch, all the hoses even cruise control. Do you know of any place that has this info? I've been to library and Haynes and Chilton books.
Answer: Normally, the information you are looking for is on a sticker on the underneath section of the hood. If you cannot find it on yours, you might try finding someone that has a car like yours (used car lots) that has the information.
Question: 1992 Buick Century mileage: 92,000. I am having some trouble with my car. The problem occurred suddenly. The car starts and runs fine until about 15-20 minutes into the drive, then it just shuts off. After about a 5-10 min wait it fires right back up. Then after another short drive it shuts down again. Then it repeats the process. I found that when it shuts down I lose spark. The ignition coils check out o.k. In addition, I still have power to the ignition module so I changed the module, the problem still exists. I looked at the engine-wiring diagram and found two temperatures. Sensors 1 runs the fan (which seems to cycle o.k.) the other sends a signal to the temperature gauge and to the ECM. I am guessing the problem is temperature related, so I changed the temperature sensor and the problem still exists. I got three codes from the computer. 12, which I think, is a gm computer. Test code 21, I do not know and 42, I do not know. I am pulling out my hair on this one (what little I have left) are all these sensors really needed. Cars used to run fine without them. I hope you can help. Thank you.
Answer: Your code 21 is TPS (Throttle Position Sensor), which means your signal voltage is high. Code 42 is EST (Electronic Spark Timing), which means your circuit is either open or grounded.
