DAVES89

I am a new owner/member to Reattas. I purchased my car 12/20/06. The car is a great car, very comfortable. It had a 4 year manufacture life, of which less then 23,000 cars were made. If it were not for this forum I would say owning this car would not be advisable. Every question I have had, has been addressed, with easy "how to" answers. My hats off to the members of this forum, they're great.

I replaced my shift lights using aftermarket lights, [see my post " console lights back on using aftermarket lights"] as I didn't think that replacements were available. The reason I am reposting is that Tommy H. has taken his apart and the pictures are in this post. This seems to be a common problem and I am offering a simple "factory look" alternative.

If you are looking to fix your car, there is a salvage yard that has all the parts you need for your car [and in red]. Their phone #1-920-206-2960. They are about 20 miles west of Milwaukee. I found them on www.car-part.com If you like the car, why don't you try this route?

If you are looking to fix your car, there is a salvage yard that has all the parts you need for your car [and in red]. Their phone #1-920-206-2960. They are about 20 miles west of Milwaukee. I found them on www.car-part.com If you like the car, why don't you try this route?

Filled out my form to be a BCA member. How do I become a Reatta member?

I called Pilot the manufactuer of the CZ-181B Flexi-lite and asked them if they have a shorter one available. They have a 10" that is available by special order. That stock number is CZ-180B. This product line is available at NAPA,PEP BOYS,KRAGEN,and AUTOZONE. I will take and post pictures as time/weather allows. Cold snap coming to Wi. and my garage, the car is stored in, is not heated.

My wife and daughter is the photogragher in our family,however if you go to TommyH post "shifter plate" dated 1/31/2007 you will get the jist of what we did. Just look at his first 2 pictures and you will see that the illuminated panel has to come out. Tommy actually went and took out everything so his way would actually be easier to do. One thing I did not post before is that the light is longer then the shifter bar [which is why we cut 2 holes on either end]. This causes absoultly no problems as there is plenty of room in the shifter box for the ends to hang over.

Tommy, Please go to my post on how I fixed my dash lights with after market products. You have great pictures on the unit disassembled. If you could do an attachment I think the other guys could see how easy this could be. Thanks!

I didn't think there were any console light assemblies left out there as well as console inverters, so I went for a walk thru various auto stores. At AutoZone I found what I was looking for, a blue led flexlite. It is from PILOT AUTOMOTIVE part #CZ181B. What we did was this; took the shifter knob off, then the top panel that houses the light bar,Removed the 3 screws that hold the light panel in. We carefully removed the top black shift indictor sheet. Then removed the center light bar [that was the illumination, mine was all cracked]. We carefully cut 2 slots on either end of the plastic housing so as to slide the FLEX-LITE in[you will need 2 packages]. Then reinstalled the top black sheet. We then wired it into an ignition circuit. This will eliminate using the inverter[and all those problems]. The illumination is great, looks like factory, only disadvantage I can see is that you don't have the ring around the gear the car is in, but hey I didn't have that before so I didn't lose anything.My light will not show thru the black only thru the parts "cut out" for the original lights to shine thru. Each package will cost you $19.95 each[once again you will need 2].Cut off the battery test button and batteries, and wire in.

And fix that accumulator. When you go there Tommy, ask what they want for the front license plate bracket. I need one. I think I want to be street legal.

Yesterday my mechanic friend started in on the car. Our original intent was to replace intake manifold gasket and thermostat as well as the dash lights. 6 hours later we started putting car back together, having done afore mentioned manifold gasket, and thermostat. Additional work found was water pump, 2 heater hoses,Themostat housing, as it was like "welded" into manifold. At any rate after the heavy work done,we replaced both the wiper bank of switches as well as the electric eye. Everything lit up including the reverse light on the shifter. Joy was short lived as the reverse light went out never return after several restarts of car. Wed. night we will try a new assult on the console to repair the console lights. I was at AutoZone and they have a string light thingy for $15.00. I want to try that in the console. If it works I will post pictures.

Do you have the front license plate bracket? I will buy that [but not for $200.00]lol. Call me. My phone #920-540-6393.Thanks!

Do you have the front license plate bracket? I will buy that [but not for $200.00]lol. Call me. My phone #920-540-6393.Thanks!

Mine looks good, just doesn't light. I am looking for a way to light the shifter. But I get the feeling it is like looking for the Holy Grail. I am going to try a spotlight accessory that I found in an Auto Zone. I will keep everyone posted. And if I can get my wife to shoot some pictures I will post them as I also came up with a different cupholder.

So there is no after market one anywhere? Does yours illuminate?

I'm impressed. But where did you get the plasticwhutever plate and does it now illuminate? I am working on my dash pod lights tomorrow and will be checking the console lights as well. Thanks!!!

The Buick Roadmaster from '92-'97 use the same button. Removal is simple, 2 torx screws in back of wheel, then remove center airbag cover, and remove the buttons using a phillips screwdriver. Takes about 10 minutes. I have owned 3 Roadmasters over the years and have replaced them several times.

I called a local salvage yard, one of the bigger ones in the area, to see about parts for my car. They had 3 different Reatta's listed. All 3 had gone to the CRUSHER. I told the guy he should hang onto every Reatta that comes thru because the cars were so rare. He did not know! I am looking for a front license plate bracket. Any help out there?

I hope CL made it back from his up north trip. I believe in helping a scout in need. I too was a scout and made Eagle. Why don't you post your address and I'll send a donation for the brake part only. You might even get a couple "hits" from other posters. A scout is; trustworth,loyal,helpful,friendly,courteous,kind,obediant,cheerful,thrifty,brave,clean,and reverent Dave

The reason I asked is that when I went to Auto Trader and 3/4 of all 99 Reattas listed had the black strip. But now that I found out it was a factory option I will leave it red. Thanks for the feedback though.

I am getting the drivers side fender, hood, front and rear plastic painted. My car is red. I noticed on Autotrader.com that some Reattas have red moulding and some have black. Which is right? Mine is red and I can still notify the shop to paint it black if it is wrong. Any opinions?

If you know your car and are not aware of any problems it should be able to handle it. When I bought my Reatta 1 month ago I drove it about 15 miles, decided I liked it and away I went, Ft. Lauderdale to Green Bay Wi. 1500 miles, no problems. 30 hours, including sleeping in the car. Only got out to stretch my legs and buy gas. Very comfortable ride. Love that 16 way seat!

I can't believe it! I finally get to help someone. I just did mine a week ago. Here's what I did. I went to Advance Auto [ Autozone has it too] and purchased EAGLE ONE ORIGINAL NEVER DULL WADDING POLISH. It is not a sandpaper so it should not remove the swirls. [Test to be sure you are satisfied before doing all 4].Rubbed it in and wiped it clean with paper towels. It will take about 1/2 hour per cap. Cleaned with Windex, wiped clean again, finished with Mother's California Gold Carnauba Cleaner Wax. Very pleased with results. As far as wheels go, I called a local detail shop and had all 4 wheels acid washed for $25.00. Then I sanded with 220 wet n dry, followed by 400 wet n dry followed by 600 wet n dry. Topcoated with Plasticote Ultra enamel[found at Walmart].This took about 1 hour per wheel. I did not topcoat the plastic center hubs as I felt it would be easier to maintain the "look" without having to remove the clearcoat.Over all the entire job took about 6 hours and cost less then $50.00.

This website and the people helping me with my lights are great. The reason I posted the car part website was looking back over previous postings was that there would be references to Reattas in salvage yards. There was no intent to cut into Jim's business. I can see in the short time I have owned my car that if I want my Reatta to stay factory Jim is going to be very important to me. I truly am sorry for overstepping, especially since I am a "newbie" Dave

I dismissed the photocell as I thought that was part of the twilight sentinel system and not part of my dash light problem because as you know the '89 didn't have twilight. I will explore this option as it certainly sounds cost effective.Thanks!