1994 Park Avenue - various problems
kfranken
08-05-2004, 07:11 AM
Hi there -
I have a 1994 Buick Park Avenue, and a few things are going wrong. I'd like to get suggestions from members on how to deal with or correct them.
1. the car smokes (under the hood/through the grill) when I go up a hill in 2nd gear. A friend who knows about cars looked at my car as it smoked and said he thought that the "valve cover gasket leaking onto manifold - creating smoke. Need to be tightened and cleaned." Does that sound correct?
2. the driver's side outside mirror attachment is crooked and not responding to the "move" buttons (located inside the car - mirror can move up, down, left, right). It had broken off or been disconnected before, and a mechanic fixed it but said he wasn't sure how long it'd hold - it held for about a year, but now it's not responding to the "move" buttons again and I can see the mirror try to move but it just shakes a bit. Maybe the whole thing needs to be replaced? I think that's what my mechanic said last time.
3. my radio "Select" and "Program" buttons on my steering wheel don't always work. I hit them, but nothing happens. When I hit "Select" up, the heat/AC turns on!! What on Earth causes this? "Select" down works the radio, but "Select" up works the AC/heat. Huh?
4. my rear view mirror fell off bec. the inside of the car got too hot (I
think) - the clear adhesive is still stuck on the window. How do I get the mirror back up?
5. my glove compartment won't stay closed (I don't know why. It's not full of stuff preventing it from being closed) - there is a light in there.
6. the left front wheel squeaks when I turn or when I touch the brakes
Can I fix any of these myself or should I take the car in? Please email me at [email protected]
Thank you.
Kevin
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I have a 1994 Buick Park Avenue, and a few things are going wrong. I'd like to get suggestions from members on how to deal with or correct them.
1. the car smokes (under the hood/through the grill) when I go up a hill in 2nd gear. A friend who knows about cars looked at my car as it smoked and said he thought that the "valve cover gasket leaking onto manifold - creating smoke. Need to be tightened and cleaned." Does that sound correct?
2. the driver's side outside mirror attachment is crooked and not responding to the "move" buttons (located inside the car - mirror can move up, down, left, right). It had broken off or been disconnected before, and a mechanic fixed it but said he wasn't sure how long it'd hold - it held for about a year, but now it's not responding to the "move" buttons again and I can see the mirror try to move but it just shakes a bit. Maybe the whole thing needs to be replaced? I think that's what my mechanic said last time.
3. my radio "Select" and "Program" buttons on my steering wheel don't always work. I hit them, but nothing happens. When I hit "Select" up, the heat/AC turns on!! What on Earth causes this? "Select" down works the radio, but "Select" up works the AC/heat. Huh?
4. my rear view mirror fell off bec. the inside of the car got too hot (I
think) - the clear adhesive is still stuck on the window. How do I get the mirror back up?
5. my glove compartment won't stay closed (I don't know why. It's not full of stuff preventing it from being closed) - there is a light in there.
6. the left front wheel squeaks when I turn or when I touch the brakes
Can I fix any of these myself or should I take the car in? Please email me at [email protected]
Thank you.
Kevin
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tman
08-05-2004, 07:19 AM
1- Replace the valve cover gaskets
4-Go to a glass shop, they have the adhesive to reattach the mirror
4-Go to a glass shop, they have the adhesive to reattach the mirror
GSteven
08-24-2004, 05:02 PM
1. I agree with Tman
2. Think you may be right about replacing the whole thing, but some of your other issues point to wiring. Namely number 3.
3. My 94 has 4 controls on the steering wheel and they are not the same 4 as I've seen on some other PAs. I have 'volume' (up&down)and 'temperature' (up&down) on the right top and bottom respectively. On the left is 'seek' (up&down) on the top and on the bottom 'band select' if you push down and my presets if you push up. In you post you said if you push the "select" button up your AC comes on. This sounds like you have some wires crossed somewhere. A good wiring diagram and patient trouble shooting are all that's gonna help this (unless you know a good and honest mechanic that likes to fool around with this sort of thing).
4. You can also pick this adhesive up at any auto parts house (or Walmart)
5. Someone has probably slammed the glovebox closed and broken the striker bar or latch. You'll probably need to replace one or both of them.
6. If you're capable, rebuild your brakes. If not go to a reputable brake shop and hope you still have gas mony after they bill you.
hth
Steve
2. Think you may be right about replacing the whole thing, but some of your other issues point to wiring. Namely number 3.
3. My 94 has 4 controls on the steering wheel and they are not the same 4 as I've seen on some other PAs. I have 'volume' (up&down)and 'temperature' (up&down) on the right top and bottom respectively. On the left is 'seek' (up&down) on the top and on the bottom 'band select' if you push down and my presets if you push up. In you post you said if you push the "select" button up your AC comes on. This sounds like you have some wires crossed somewhere. A good wiring diagram and patient trouble shooting are all that's gonna help this (unless you know a good and honest mechanic that likes to fool around with this sort of thing).
4. You can also pick this adhesive up at any auto parts house (or Walmart)
5. Someone has probably slammed the glovebox closed and broken the striker bar or latch. You'll probably need to replace one or both of them.
6. If you're capable, rebuild your brakes. If not go to a reputable brake shop and hope you still have gas mony after they bill you.
hth
Steve
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