Automobile / Buick / LeSabre

Buick LeSabre Car Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 1992 Buick Lesabre V6_mileage: 102,000. There never seems to be enough heat coming from the heater in this vehicle. I have changed the thermostat, and also had the radiator flushed; still just luke warm heat. Do you have any common remedies for this model vehicle.

Answer: The heater core is like a small radiator inside your dash. The coolant flow through it can be restricted by corrosion. The lack of flow of coolant through the heater core will result in a lack of warm air inside the car. Flushing out the heater core may help. If not, you will have to replace it. Also check the heater control valve if your car is equipped with one.

Question: 2004 Buick LeSabre 3800 mileage: 14,000. I have tried to get this car to pass the emissions test. There are no fault codes, car runs well except for a loping idle and sometimes a spit and die at idle. HC and CO are way out of range. O2 reads .8v at idle. Exhaust smells very rich. I have replaced the ECT and TP sensors, plugs, wires and filters. Fuel pressure is 40 psi. I need voltage specs forthe TP and MAF sensors.

Answer: Reference voltage is 5 volts at the sensor. Fuel pressure should be 35 pounds. Check compression and check for vacuum leaks also check that the EGR valve is not hanging up. Replace Oxygen sensor.

Question: 2002 Buick LeSabre mileage: 28,561. I recently had a rock crack my front windshield about 4 inches on the driver’s side near the bottom. I called some auto glass businesses and I am confused. Even though some said in the yellow pages that they could repair the crack, over the phone they said the technology does not exist. One said he could repair a crack up to 24 inches. I am confused. I would prefer to have the crack fixed (not replaced) because it is cheaper. I am also concerned about if it is fixed will it be safe. Thank you

Answer: We do not do crack repairs in windshields. However, had a similar repair done on one of our cars and it worked quite well.

Question: 1998 Buick LeSabre mileage: 73,400. Sudden acceleration from a full stop causes loud and violent vibration, shake or wheel hop sensation. This is especially likely if wheels are angled even a bit. This stops as soon as you get off the accelerator. Drives beautifully otherwise. The dealer found no problem on a test drive, but I don't know how thorough the drive was.

Answer: Your problem sounds like a CV joint has failed on one of the drive axles.

Question: 2001 Buick LeSabre 3800 mileage: 42,000. I purchased a serpentine belt with the idea I would replace the one on my Buick. I recently owned a 1990 Olds with the same engine, and thought it would be a 10-minute job, as it was with the Olds. Wrong....I found a motor mount in the way. This mount is fastened to the engine at three points, and the belt goes between the two top connections and around the bottom one. Does this mount have to be completely removed or just the bottom connection in order to replace the belt? Does the engine need to be supported during replacement?

Answer: Unfortunately on your type car, to replace the serpentine belt, the engine must be supported and the engine mount disconnected.

Question: 1989 Buick LeSabre front wheel mileage: 165,000! Getting code 39- TCC- Torque Converter Clutch. Is this a big deal or am I looking at real trouble? Bill

Answer: The torque converter clutch solenoid is probably hanging up. It is located inside the transmission on the valve body. It can be easily accessed by removing the transmission pan.

Question: 2001 Buick LeSabre mileage: 31,000.Last time I drove my car, the service engine soon light came on, it also seemed to hesitate some. Now the car won't start. It just turns over. I disconnected the battery so I lost any info stored in the ECM. It has a strong spark and good gas pressure. I am sure it is a timing issue. Can you tell me how I can check individual sensors and modules in the timing system?

Answer: Disconnecting the battery will erase the fault codes from the ECM. However, hooking the battery back up and turning the key on will reset “hard codes.” This information should pinpoint your malfunctioning component.

Question: 1999 Buick LeSabre mileage: 72,000. The generator light on my Buick glows dimly when the car is running. The battery must be charging, because I drive the car day night and have not had a dead battery yet. I hate to replace the alternator if it is not faulty. Any suggestions?

Answer: The alternator is probably getting weak. The alternator light will glow dimly when the diodes in the alternator starts to fail.

Question: 1999 Buick LeSabre mileage: 59,000. The car has done this about 4 times now. The last time was this morning. It simply will not start. It will crank and crank and crank, but never "fire".It makes a "pooof" sound, but not a loud one. Letting it sit for a while sometimes helps. It seems to happen when the temperature drops. What I've done to start it (and don't ask me why) is to remove the gas cap, then keep cranking it for about 1 minute or more with the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. Eventually it will start to fire and run. Then we go for weeks with it happening. Any help appreciated.

Answer: Your stalling problem may be cause by the fuel pump. Replacing it and the fuel filter should fix your problem.

Question 1997 Buick LeSabre mileage: 42,000. Car had front-end vibration at highway speed. Tires replaced and balanced...vibration still there. Dealer discovered CV boot/axle bad with replacement necessary. Is this common for a car that is 2.5 yrs old/highway travel mostly and no history of an accident or hitting any object? In addition, alternator replaced related to car quitting while driving. A Buick lemon or just bad luck?

Answer: The CV joint probably failed because the rubber boot, that surrounds the joint that contains the grease, tore letting the grease escape, which resulted in the joint not being lubricated. If the failed boot had been discovered soon enough, repacking the joint and replacing the boot would have saved the CV joint. We check the CV joint boots during oil and filter change service.

Question: 1998 Buick LeSabre mileage: 74,000. Both power door locks and power-seat are inoperable. Don't know if seat went up at same point as door locks as I was at the time only one driving the car. Went step #1 in troubleshooting and checked fuses. Problem is they look all right (I replaced the 30 amp circuit breaker anyway since they are hard to tell if shot or not). There is a secondary fuse panel behind the glove box, which contains an unlabeled 20 amp and 15 amp fuse (both seem fine) also in the same fuse panel are 2 (I am guessing here) square black boxes that I assume are also breakers. Do you know if either one of these boxes have anything to do with the seats and locks. If so do you know which it would be top or bottom? I am on a small fixed income here and would like to make sure it is not something this simple before I spend money for a Pro. Wouldn't worry about it but wife is short and can't reach pedals and we are down to 1 car.



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