Barney Eaton

Here is a list of people with Reatta parts cars. You will need to contact them to determine if they have the part you need.<P>Sek3@aol.Com (90 rear only ..blue seats)<BR>lbtsales@penn.Com<BR>tonyc@tmlp.com ('88 red/tan, '88 white/red, '89 burg/grey)<BR>Jhnprsn540@cs.com ('88 black/grey)<BR>apoolart@aol.Com ('89 red/grey)<BR>jfinn@computerpro.Com (several cars) '88 silver/grey sunroof<BR>abowen@stanleyworks.Com ('88 black/grey)<BR>ccrowe@tuthill.com ('89 silver/grey)<BR>Similex@aol.com ('90 black /tan interior)<BR>jrsettle@bellsouth.ne t (1989 coupe, burg int)<BR>jkrafty@bigfoot.com ('89 coupe)<BR>blkmagicarab@earthlink.net ('91 white coupe/tan interior) some front damage<BR>larsbammer@aol.com ('89 blue/blue) Cincinatti area<BR>eswaim@sirus.com ('88 white/red) front damage<BR>------------ the following are wrecking yards with Reatta parts--------------------------<BR>* <A HREF="http://www.brandywineparts.com" TARGET=_blank>www.brandywineparts.com</A> (Ron Hall) in Virgina and MD<BR>* <A HREF="http://www.thebuickplace.com" TARGET=_blank>www.thebuickplace.com</A> (Phil Hertel) Phoenix AZ

Let us know how long the JB holds. There is more torque on that part than you might think. I should pull the washer fix from the repair procedure as it does not last.<P>I have another similar fix and have been reluctant to post it because I hate to put fixes on line without some long term testing.

The bezel around the instrument cluster must be removed. On the '88-'89 cars the trim over the instrument cluster pulls straight off. Once that is removed, you will find two screws that must be removed to remove either the right or left panels.<BR>Then you will see (4 I believe) screws that hold the CRT in place.

There was a document by someone from Buick that stated that the plan was to have 60-70% of the Reatta be Riviera parts.<P>That is probably true if you are counting every nut and bolt.<P>However, none of the glass or body panels are Riviera. The seats are the same frame but have different colors and patterns.<P>We do not have a "list" of interchangeable parts. If you had a parts book, you could look up a window regulator and you could determine if it also fit the Riviera.<BR>The goofy thing about the parts book..it doesn't give you a clue if the part is used on any other GM product. I believe that is different if the dealer enters the number on this parts computer.

I believe there is little to be concerned about on the airbag. All the warnings in the manual is lawyer, C.Y.A. types of statements.<P>If there were any percentage of these going off at ramdom, wouldn't that be happening when a truck load is rolling down a highway and they go over a RR crossing.<P>The explosive device needs an electrical signal....even then it might not go off if it lacked a ground.<P>Still....be careful<P>I have a '88-'89 tan wheel that was covered by American and I also have a '90-'91 grey wheel that is factory new. Both are for sale<BR>$200 each exchange or $225 outright.<p>[ 05-03-2002: Message edited by: Barney Eaton ]

I have a Mazda unit for "show and tell".<BR>When I first looked at it everything was dirty and greasy ...12+ years of no maintenance.<P>At the very least you should be able to open the sunroof and wipe off the excess crud and add some fresh,clean lube to the cables.<P>The proper maintanence would be to remove the metal top so that you can get to all the moving parts. Clean and relube everything.<P>I use Mobil-1 chassis lube. Any good water repellent grease that is not to heavy should work fine.

Have you noticed as AC season is here, everyone has a problem. See the other posts.<P>Since the Reatta had an automatic system, several things could be wrong.<BR>The air mixer door could be stuck, or have insulation keeping it from shutting off the hot air. The inside air temp sensor could be faulty or the hose from it could have come loose, or have a hole in it.<P>Again....you need a service manual. For the cost of taking the wife to dinner, you can purchase a good used manual and you can track these problems.

They do a great job, thinking about a custom wheel for my new pick-up to brighten the dull interior.<P>Pull the air bag fuse.<BR>Remove the 4 torx screws on the back of the wheel that hold the air bag, disconnect the yellow air bag connection, disconnect the horn connection (push in, turn counter clockwise)<BR>Remove wheel nut, need puller for wheel.<BR>Reverse procedure.<P>While it is extremely remote that the air bag could trigger, (it takes 12v or a static discharge to the connection), don't put your face in front of it as you disconnect or remove it from the car.

Refrigman... which fuse (number) do you pull to solve the problem? There are three different fuses that feed different section of the hazard/brake light system.<P>Please remember, these cars are more complex electronically than 90% of the cars built in 1990. In addition they are 12 years old and their electronics and connectors see heat/cold extremes, dry/damp extremes, plus dust and other contaminants. <P>Often a problem can be fixed by unplugging a connection, spraying with contact cleaner/lube and replugging. The problem is knowing where to look for the connections.<P>This means you should own a service manual for the year Reatta you own. Even if you never work on your own car. You can read the section that contains the problem you are having and you can run the diagnostic codes that are stored. This is simpler than programing a VCR, so most anyone that can read can diagnose the problem before taking into their friendly, high dollar repair shop.

Yes Buick stold the Rendezvous name from us.<BR>For the past 4 years we have had an event before or during the national convention where we "rendezvous"<P>This year we plan to leave Kokomo on Thursday afternoon and drive to nearby Frankfort Ind. There is a very nice small automotive museum there with some very high quality cars. It is owned by a funeral home and they also have a Lincoln (Abe type) collection that we will be able to view also IF there is no funeral that day.<P>After the museum, we will go to the local park for what the locals call a "Pig Roast" (this would be B-B-Q in other places) this will be in a covered picnic area with parking for all the Reattas. There will be a $8.00 charge for the dinner.<P>Because the Buick annual meeting is that evening, some people will want to leave in time to make that meeting. The other can stay till dark. On the way out of town, you can stop for a dairy treat at the local "Milky Way" <P>This is a Reatta Division function but all Reatta/Buick people are welcome.<P>To plan for the "Pig Roast" we would like to have some idea of the total head count. If you would like to be part of the Rendezvous, send a note to Reatta@Texas.net

There are about 15 motels within 2 miles along US31 in Kokomo. I thought I had a list but you can probably find them on mapquest or other search type site.<P>You can also contact Ralph Colter for more info. The site below has his email and phone number. <A HREF="http://www.buickclub.org/Calendar/calendar.html#2002%20BCA%20National" TARGET=_blank>http://www.buickclub.org/Calendar/calendar.html#2002%20BCA%20National</A>

I just received an almost identical question from the owner of a '90... here is my response. The rest of you guys can jump in at any time.<P>There are lots of things that can be checked but let me start with an assumption..... <BR>* The reason the AC does not work is because the compressor is not running. <BR>* The compressor is controlled by relay "J" in the underhood relay center.<BR>* The relay is actuated by the "low pressure switch" <P>I would start by confirming the compressor is not running when you have the problem.<BR>then check the relay, and then check for voltage output at the pressure switch.<P>If all that is ok, then the problem get a little more complex......to be continued

Did you see the note for the '90 Red coupe with 79k for $5500? It is in Mass.

Do a search on the subject (upper right of home page) there was a long discussion 2-3 month back.

Welcome aboard Ken. I see in the other posting they got you fixed on the sunroof.<P>You have two choices on the CRT. Move further north and the CRT will stay cold longer and not wiggle.... Send it to Rex Service Center in Worth Ill (708-448-5558)<BR>They will repair it like new at half the price other repair shops charge.

The '98 manual shows the low side service connection near the passanger side strut tower near the blower motor. The high side connection in closer to the front of the vehicle.<P>I have a NEW three volume set of manuals for the 1998 Aurora/Riviera that I will sell for $90.<P>Also have similar 3 volume set for Regal/Century, 1998 for the same price.

I don't normally post on cars for sale.... but, there are always posts on this page about the one that got away.<P>I have never seen this car, it is just under 70k with lots of miles left. While it is now a two owner car, I'm guessing well maintained. Those Reatta owners out there with 140k, where can you purchase a 70k Reatta for this price, and I'll bet it can be had for $5000.<P>My commentary for today

Finally found it (1825433432) and as it says, it is a universal unit. You will probably need to do some wiring because you standard connector will not plug directly into their fitting. You may also need to make a lower bracket, other than that it should work.

I attempted a search on ebay and could not find the antenna..... what is the item number?

Don't expect a dealer to give you market price on any car. They are working both sides of the street. They make money on the car you are buying and plan on making money on your trade in. Thats the way the system works.

Very unusual for this to happen. The factory pipes are stainless. It is possible that they have already been replaced with common steel tailpipes.<P>The muffler is usually the first to go because it is made from lighter gage steel.<BR>I believe Stan and others have determined that the '88-'90 muffler,with pipes are availabe from GM. The exit pipes were never available from GM except with the muffler. There are some aftermarket mufflers for Camaros that have dual tailpipes but are not readilly available in all areas.

I have new lumbar bladders. One of my cars does not have the 16 way seat option. I would like to install the bladder but cannot find the means of pumping it up.<P>In the past I have purchased cheap blood pressure testers and used the cuff for the seat and the bulb to pump the air.<P>The cheap blood testers are no longer that cheap and many are electronic. What I need is a source for replacement bulbs. There must be medical supply places that sell these for $4-5 <P>If I could find a inexpensive source, I could offer a kit to others like myself so that we could install the lumbar in our Reattas.<P>With the diverse group out there checking this discussion daily, we must have someone in the medical field that can give me a contact.

NEVER argue with a wife (or girlfriend) that wants you to buy more cars. She is a keeper.

A little more specifically, the label is located next to the spare tire, on the right side and you must lift the insulation to find it.<P>We looked a long time before locating it, and many GM parts and body shop people told us the label had either been removed or the car was repainted.<P>To my knowledge, the Reatta is the only GM car with the Service Parts Identification Label located in that postion.

OK, Szaban tell us the whole story. The average guy doesn't drive his 442 into the speedway and say "how about me doing a few laps, and maybe I could race the pace car". You were there by special invitation? They were shooting your 442 for commercials?<P>Also my guess is the Aurora was faster.