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Buick LeSabre

1520 messages,  Last post on Dec 14, 2011 at 12:48 PM

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What is this discussion about? Buick LeSabre, Sedan

Messages Page 113 of 152

#1121 of 1520 Re: 1995 Buick Lesabre Dashboard [davco] by schmeagle

May 18, 2005 (12:43 pm)

Replying to: davco (May 18, 2005 9:44 am)
Thanks Davco, I had already removed the trim plate you wrote about. That plate is plastic and in my interior, it is a natural wood color. After I had removed the trim plate, I removed 3 bolts from what you call the main panel. I am still having problems removing the main panel which is black in my car and stretches the width of the face of the dashboard. It covers the radio and the heater control panel mounting bolts and does not cover the passenger air bag unit rather it goes around it. There are clips that fasten the top of this panel underneath the top of the dashboard and I am able to carefully pry those away from the dashboard. Unfortunately, it appears that there might be screws, bolts or clips behind the vents on the dashboard because when I attempt to pry away the main panel, it does not move away from the area around the vents. I might have to remove the vents but I don't want to break anything as I am not sure how to remove them or the panel. My heat is on permanently and the service manager at local Buick dealer said that I had to replace the heater control panel which is over $300 at the their cost. My father has a 2002 Lesabre and it has the exact same heater control panel as my '95, so there must be plenty of these control panels available at salvage yards.
 
Any suggestions? Thanks

#1122 of 1520 Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre Vibration at Freeway Speeds [imidazol97] by rjh4

May 19, 2005 (3:26 pm)

Replying to: imidazol97 (May 17, 2005 4:32 pm)
The tires on my 2004 Buick Lesabre are General Ameri*gs60 P215-70 R15.
 The dealer has a Hunter 9700 balancer on which the tires were balance twice.
 The vehicle has 6,800 miles on it.
 Are there any techinal Bulletins out on this problem and if so how can I obtain them. Thanx rjh4

#1123 of 1520 Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre Vibration at Freeway Speeds [rjh4] by bumpygreens

May 21, 2005 (7:00 pm)

Replying to: rjh4 (May 19, 2005 3:26 pm)
Check the tie rods! My fronts both went out around 30,000 on my '02 Limited.

#1124 of 1520 Re: 1995 Buick Lesabre Dashboard [imidazol97] by davco

May 23, 2005 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: imidazol97 (May 18, 2005 11:23 am)
Thanks for the help, imidazo197... As a quick check, I pounded on the carpeting in the area you mentioned and the HVAC buttons began working again. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this is where the problem lies and then when there's time I'll pull up the carpet to hopefully fix this nagging problem for good. Again, my thanks.

#1125 of 1520 Re: 1995 Buick Lesabre Dashboard [davco] by imidazol97

May 23, 2005 (5:26 pm)

Replying to: davco (May 23, 2005 4:11 pm)
Glad I posted to try to help.
 
 I was too lazy to take apart my LeSabre carpet there--my wife made me trade it before it became a problem I wanted to fix. 150K and still ran great, better than the 98 leSabre.
 
The moisture from getting in and out in cold climates and wet periods that's on your feet and drips on the carpet and spreads. And as you get in and out along moisture from rain in the open window and open door can keep that kind of moist. That's why the corrosion starts there.
 
There also is a connection in the left side next to the parking brake near the floor where grounds link up that someone else mentioned can cause troublesome connections.
 
I never though about just banging on the box in that area to force a better connection. Sledge hammer and duct tape can fix a lot of things!

#1126 of 1520 '94 climate control... by davco

May 23, 2005 (8:19 pm)

Checked out the rectangular plastic box that is closer to the e-brake - connections look good; is this the box you mentioned - or is there another closer to the seat/door sill? The HVAC buttons are stuck once again... also where is the 'programmer' you mentioned? When the buttons do switch, I can hear a click from under the dash in the glove comp. area, and the air flow does change to where the buttons direct it...

#1127 of 1520 repairing broken steering column by kesh

May 27, 2005 (8:11 pm)

ok here is the kicker, some Bleep Bleep Bleep broke into my 1995 buick lesabre, broke up the collumn trying to steel it but was to lame to be able to do that, thank god for small favors since we don't have comprehensive insurance at this time. So here the deal car won't even start with the key now, and low on cash. I was told we can't fix it our selves cuz of the stupid driver side air bag. Now is this the truth or is it a case of big time chicken? also have to replace that back driver side rear door lil triagle window, cuz the stupidlow lifes weren't even acomplished at the slim jim for peet sake . any help would be apreciated. thanks...

#1128 of 1520 Re: repairing broken steering column [kesh] by imidazol97

May 28, 2005 (4:09 am)

Replying to: kesh (May 27, 2005 8:11 pm)
You didn't say if you get lights on the dash when the key is rotated... which would indicate a connection from the key cylinder parts to the switch lower on the column.
 
The airbag should be disconnected while working in the steering column, especially now that the internals have been damaged by the thief. And just think, if he'd been caught in most areas he wouldn't even be treated like a criminal and jailed. This is minor stuff. Just property damage...
 
The key cylinder activates the actual switch which is down near the floorboard on top of the steering column. If nothing happens when you rotate the key cylinder, they probably bent, broke, disconnected the small rod that goes from the cylinder down to the small box that is the actual contacts and switch.
 
You might look to see if you can identify that rod. It is possible you might be able to start the car by manipulating that rod up and down. Remember the key has to be in the switch and the wiring that reads the resistor chip in the key has to be intact in order for the security system to allow the starter to activate.
 
There is a procedure for disabling the airbag system. I do not know it. Perhaps Alcan in Ask a TEchnical Question
94camryv6, "Got a Quick, Technical Question?" #1456, 27 May 2005 10:20 am
can help.

#1129 of 1520 Re: repairing broken steering column [imidazol97] by davco

May 28, 2005 (5:19 pm)

Replying to: imidazol97 (May 28, 2005 4:09 am)
The Haynes repair manual states "To disable the drivers side airbag, remove the airbag fuse from the instrument panel fuse block, remove the negative battery cable, and unplug the yellow Connector Position Assurance connector located at the base of the steering column...
 
...possiblity of getting closer to fixing the nagging problem with the HVAC control buttons on my '94... Now that it's slightly warmer here in SW PA, I've noticed the buttons working 75% of the time as opposed to 25% of the time when it's colder outside.

#1130 of 1520 helpful tip- clean the air intake by kcwolfpack59

May 29, 2005 (7:35 pm)

I just cleaned the throttle body intake on my 2000 and what a difference. It had a slightly sticky throttle, you had to push it a little harder to get it off of idle. I had to take off the honeycomb thing to get the cleaner up into the TB. You would not believe what kind of crud came out. I picked up 2 miles per gallon and quicker starts. It also does not have such a high fast cold idle now. Wish I would have done that every year or so instead of waiting five.

Messages Page 113 of 152

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