Please Heeellppppppp!!!!

[94byuck]

As you can tell by the name byuck I hate my car err. I have a 94 Buick Regal 3.8 I am the 2nd owner of this car and since I bought it in 2000 it has given me nothing but trouble. The transmission had issues after I had the car for a year. 3rd gear went out in it and I had to have it fixed. Then the transmission lines were leaking after that and had to be repaired. Now comes the new dilemma....The car all of a sudden decided it didn't want to start. I can get it to start but it takes a few times and sounds awful. We took the car to an electrical shop and he said the alternator was bad so we replaced that(we changed it out previously in sep 2003), then he said the starter was bad so we replaced that, then he said the battery was bad so once again we changed the battery out(we had just changed the battery out in September of 03) and needless to say it is still acting the same way. When you try to start it ....it makes a missing sound like it is trying to start and cant. After a couple times trying though it will start, so it seems hard to believe it would be the starter(especailly since I replaced that a week ago) I have no idea of what else could be the problem or what to do. Please give me any ideas you may have ty

~Angie~

[Hypsi87]

Hi Angie. Lets see if we can change you view of a Buick car. You might want to check your Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF). Sounds like that could be the problem. Also My car did that, it cranked and cranked and when it did finally start up it just sounded like it was running on like 2 cyl. and puffing all sorts of black smoke. and it turned out to be the computer (ECM)

Hope this helps a bit.

Andy

[kratefan]

I think it's the mechanic that needs to be replaced. Are you taking this to a dealer? Does this guy have the computer to be able to read the codes? I can't believe that the car would be acting THIS bad without throwing a code, unless the computer is shot. Also, if this car has a coil pack, you may want to have this checked, of course that would mean that the mechanic has an ohmmeter.
Jeff

[Hypsi87]

Yea if it is not throwing out any type of code then i am 99.99% sure it is the computer. I have a scan master on my car. A tool for the turbo buicks to monitor what there computer is thinking. Anyway when my computer went bad my scanmaster went blank. it just acted like the signal wire was not plugged in.

Yea get rid of that mechanic. A starter does not fix a miss.

[94byuck]

Thanks for the info...Two very good suggestions I haven't taken it to the dealer yet and I haven't hooked it up to get the codes. I had a bad experience with a chevy celebrity a long time ago and never wanted to see codes again haha I took it to the mechanic (If you want to call this guy one) and it came back with 4 codes, fixed all of it and then he said there was nothing wrong with the car and four hundred dollars later needed a ecm that would be another $100. Ugh I just dont have luck with cars or mechanics but, I guess it wont hurt to get the codes and see what it is saying. The car doesn't smoke at all and runs great when it is going. I love the engine (fast for a family car) I just hate what is hooked up to the engine hehe If I could find a way to disconnect all the computer stuff and start all over I would be good

~Angie~

[kratefan]

Originally Posted by 94byuck

Thanks for the info...I love the engine (fast for a family car) I just hate what is hooked up to the engine hehe If I could find a way to disconnect all the computer stuff and start all over I would be good

~Angie~

No problem, we're here to help. Part of the Buick Brother(and Sister)hood.
Computers can be your friend. Starting in 1996, manufacturers put in OBDII (On Board Diagnostics), this system tells all. Owners of Turbo Regals will agree that their cars could not go as fast with out having the computers.
Jeff

[kratefan]

Originally Posted by kratefan

No problem, we're here to help. Part of the Buick Brother(and Sister)hood.
Computers can be your friend. Starting in 1996, manufacturers put in OBDII (On Board Diagnostics), this system tells all. Owners of Turbo Regals will agree that their cars could not go as fast with out having the computers.
Jeff

I see you live in Columbus GA. You may want to call SE Turbo Performance near Marietta to see if they can help you or suggest someone who can. They may know of some qualified mechanics in your area who are familiar with computer cars.1-866-SE-Turbo (738-8726)

Jeff