Automobile / Buick / Skylark

Buick Skylark Car Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 2003 Buick Skylark mileage: 26,000 Seem to have a problem with the engine it idles up and down and I was wondering how do you check the fuel pressure. I have replaced everything that would cause this and everything is new, but the thing is that the computer does not display any codes. How does the fuel pump completely quit or does it fade to quit? The engine just runs rough, mostly it idles high at cold temperature and idles up and down when at operating temperature. I also checked all the vacuum hoses too, and also tried some injector cleaner which didn't work. I am so stumped if you have any suggestions that would be great. Here is the list of things that I have changed, Fuel filter, Oxygen sensor, alternator, battery, new belts, Idle Air control, (I cleaned out the grease and dirt with STP throttle body/carburetor cleaner before installation of new IAC throttle position sensor, air filter, new spark plugs and wires.

Answer: Fuel pressure can be checked with a gauge installed in the auxiliary port in the fuel injection system. If your car is not equipped with that port, use a tee in the fuel pressure line. You may want to check the gasket under the throttle body as we have found the gasket can be a source of leakage. If the throttle body cleaner was sprayed into the intake system before the oxygen sensor was replaced, the cleaner may have damaged the oxygen sensor.

Question: 1998 Buick Skylark mileage: 68,000. My power door locks don't work when you push the button on any of the doors. They all lock like they're supposed to when the car is put into drive or reverse. What are the possibilities?

Answer: There should be a circuit breaker for the door locks. Check for 12-volts on both sides of the circuit breaker. If that tests okay, check for 12-volts at the main switch in the driver's door.

Question: 2001 Buick Skylark mileage: 55,000. I have been having trouble with my car for a while it starts up in the A.M, but when put in gear it will stall. Then it will allow you to drive a little ways then stall, it will do this until it is warm. Now it seems to be idling hard and hesitating/missing, feels almost as if it is running on 3 spark plugs instead of 4. The alternator, starter, muffler, oxygen sensor, coolant sensor, EGR valve, fuel filter have all been recently replaced to try and remedy this problem. The only thing that showed up on the diagnostic done recently was the EGR valve, this didn't help, the minimum airflow was also adjusted. Please help everyone is stumped - could this be the catalytic converter (I think it could be).

Answer: We doubt seriously that your problem is the catalytic converter. Scope the engine to be sure all four cylinders are firing. It this checks okay, check the idle speed motor as it may be gummed up and not working properly. It may need cleaning or replacing.

Question: 1999 Buick Skylark mileage: 48,000. Car suddenly stalled and continues to do so. The service engine soon light is now on. I checked the code and got code 4,2...parts store won't even tell me what that indicates. Said it could be lots of things. Can you help? I thought it could be the MAP sensor or the computer.

Answer: Code 42 has to do with the electronic spark timing circuit. There are a number of things included in that starting with the knock sensor, the ignition coil, the pick-up coil and the ignition module. One or more of these may be faulty. Being a mechanic is never easy. Sometimes you just need to practice the old trial and error method.

Question: 1997 Buick Skylark mileage: 39,000. I recently had the ignition module, ignition coil, and coil cover replaced. Since then, I have had problems with the brake warning light and the ABS warning light coming on, usually just after I start the car and disengage the emergency brake. Could this have anything to do with the ignition work I just had done (1 week ago)?

Question: 2002 Buick Skylark mileage: 35,000. My car isn’t starting. I know its getting flooded. The spark plugs had gas on them. The car does have a new fuel pump, but there's something that has me stumped. When you try to start the car (key is in start position) it doesn't start of course, but when you release the ignition key from the start position back to the on position you hear the fuel pump kicking on again after I just tried to start it. Right there tells me when it's getting flooded. I've checked the fuel pump relay it works fine. What else can I check? Thank you for your help guys.

Answer: The “check engine” light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the engine management system. The fault code is then stored in the computer. The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component. Because the check engine light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended.

Question: 1998 Buick Skylark mileage: 80,000. What is an MAF Sensor. The MAF sensor went bad on my car recently and it cost me $423.00. What is it and how much do the part alone cost?

Answer: MAF stands for mass airflow sensor and it measures the quantity of air entering the engine. You can call the Buick parts department and find out the current cost of the part.

Question: 2003 Buick Skylark mileage: 18,000. The anti-lock brakes seem to engage right as the car nears a stop. There is a sound as if a valve is applying and releasing pressure and at this time the brakes grab then release at there own will. I have been told by a dealer that there are three parts to this anti-lock system and all have been tested and were fine. He said the rotors were warped, turned them and the car worked fine for about 000 miles and then started again. Placed new rotors on this time but the problem still exists. It does not happen all the time but enough to always make you wonder. Other mechanics have said the whole anti-lock unit needs to be replaced. Brakes work fine at braking at high speeds, it only occurs nearing a stop but its making the car feel unsafe to drive. Any advice would be very helpful and thank-you for your time.

Answer: It sounds like a thorough job has been done checking out the front brakes. Your problems are most likely caused by loose or weak return springs or a faulty parking brake mechanism in the rear brakes.

Question: 2002 Buick Skylark mileage 33,000: I broke the antenna in a car wash...the motor works perfectly. Just the antenna bent off...can I replace the antenna or do I have to replace the whole motor?

Answer: Unfortunately, the whole motor needs to be replaced.

Question: 1999 Buick Skylark mileage: 76,000. When the engine warms up to normal operating temperature, it will hesitate or surge when the throttle is depressed. It will do this when it is in drive or at idle. You can make the engine really stumble by moving the accelerator on the engine at the throttle body. No readable error codes in the computer at this time. When this happened before (April 99), the dealer replaced the mass airflow sensor, replaced the computer chip with an updated version and said the injectors were dirty, so they added some high strength cleaner to the gas. The hesitation stopped after that, but now it is back again. Any suggestions besides taking the car back to them. I have checked all the obvious things.

Answer: If a major tune-up has not been done recently, this could be the cause of your problem. Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and air filters, etc. Also, replace the oxygen sensor. In addition, service the fuel injection system. Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages.

Question: 1989 Buick Skylark mileage: 150,000 My lights go dim then bright as I idle or drive. They stay either on for a couple minutes then change. I do not think it is the alternator because it does not brighten with acceleration. Please help me.

Answer: Have the battery load tested. Check the battery cables for good connections. Test the alternator output for voltage and amperage.

Question: 1999 Buick, Skylark mileage: 73,000. After driving car for short period of time transmission stalls engine out and car will not move until after it sits with engine off for a half an hour to an hour. Transmission seems to be locking up. Engine will run in park or neutral. What could it be?

Answer: Your car has a lock-up torque converter in the transmission. It locks-up only in high gear. It is supposed to disengage at lower speeds. Yours is not disengaging. There is probably a valve in the transmission “hanging up” Having the transmission serviced with new fluid may help the problem. Next step, the valve body will have to be removed and cleaned.

Question:2002 Buick Skylark mileage: 38,000. When I drive my car on the freeway for awhile the check engine light comes on, when I get off an exit ramp it stalls, and I have trouble getting it to keep running without stalling again. I have to keep my feet on the gas and brake and floor it to keep it running. What do you think the problem is?

Answer: The “check engine” light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the engine management system. The fault code is then stored in the computer. The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component. Because the check engine light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended.

Question: 1996 Buick Skylark mileage: 88,000. I would like to know the average running temperature for this car, with Florida's temperatures of 85 - 90 degrees. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Answer: The average temperature should be 170 to 200 degrees. If it is running warmer than that, check the fan clutch and/or radiator.

Question: 1997 Buick Skylark mileage: 100,000. Oil checked on day 1 - all ok. Engine overheated on day two due fan motor failure. Subsequently engine would run but not at idle speed. Re-check of oil level dipstick shows water contamination. Suggested fault is blown intake manifold gasket and possibly head gasket. Cracked block unlikely, due to water contamination showing up in quite noticeable quantity in short period of time rather than evidence of small amount and then slowly increasing. Do you agree with this layman's diagnosis (guess!) and should I go further than just looking at the manifold gasket as the source of the problem?

Answer: You are on the right track. The manifold may be the problem.

Question: 1991 Buick Skylark tech4 mileage: 122,000. I’m working on this car for a friend. Every once in a great while when you are coming to a stop the car shuts off it starts right back up but it takes a few minutes before you can get it to run in gear. I took the air filter out while test-driving and it did it one time for me. It doesn't appear to have any vacuum leaks, I checked it with carburetor cleaner. Why does it do that?

Answer: Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question: 1982 Buick Skylark 2.5, mileage 103,000. No gas out of T.B.I. unit. I replaced whole unit and no change. Good gas pressure to it. Pour gas in manually and it will fire. I wiggled wires, rapped on computer, etc. I have electricity to T.B.I. with switch on, and a ground on the same wire when switch off. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Answer: The T.B.I. unit is controlled by a number of inputs to the PCM. If the PCM sees no distributor reference, or oil pressure, it will not send a pulse to the injector, or if there is no power to PCM, no injector operation can occur.

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Check Engine Light