1996 Buick Lesabre Car surges

PHOSSUM

MEMBER
1996 BUICK LESABRE
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

This is my sister's car. It's a 1996 Buick Lesabre. It surges when first started and while it is warming up. The rpms jump into the high range between 2 and 3 rpms while it is still cold. After it warms for awhile and then restarted it will stop. The manifold gaskets have been replaced, fuel injection cleaned, IAC sensor replaced, the variable speed sensor replaced, tuned up, I think some part related to the transmission was replaced and the car still does the surging. Is there something else that could be going wrong that the mechanics are missing? Sorry we cannot donate at this time. She is only working part-time and I am helping her when I can. The economy isn't great for anyone right now. Thanks Belinda

Friday, November 14th, 2008 AT 2:25 PM

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi Belinda:
I agree, the economy is bad. We all feel it. As far as the car, take it to a nationally recognized auto parts store and have the computer scanned for codes. Even if the check engine light isn't on there still could be a code. If there is, it will point us in the right direction. It looks like you have replaced most of the things that deal with idle; there are other things to consider. For example, a map sensor, mass air flow sensor. While you're checking for codes, tell your sister to be really careful.

Let me know what you find. Also, make sure you allow the car to run irratic for at least 30 + seconds. Otherwise, the computer may recognize the problem as a random fult that has fixed itself and will not store a code.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

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Friday, November 14th, 2008 AT 5:13 PM

PHOSSUM

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hello,
I wrote last month about my sister's buick surging. She took it to the business that the battery was installed in it sometime in January of this year and one of the terminals was replaced on the battery for free. And that seemed to stop the surging, so we assume a bad connection was messing with the computer. But now it does start every time like it should, so it is back in the repair shop she uses. Maybe both terminals were bad and should both been replaced. Hope to find out what else is wrong.
Thanks so much for your help. Happy Holidays.

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Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 AT 10:37 AM