New member and a few questions.....

[Guest Kitskaboodle]

Hello everyone. I just bought a Reatta. (my first) It's a 90 model with red exterior and tan interior. I plan to make it my daily driver but first I want to get a few things ironed out in it before I put it on the road. I would love input from ya'all on where to buy (cheaply) the following items:

A) front parking light bulbs and fog light bulbs

driver's side window regulator (only goes down 1/3 of the way)

C) various interior trim pieces

D) Tranny and motor mounts

E) Struts and shocks

Thanks in advance, Kit <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[reattadudes]

I'll try to answer all of your questions.

-the bulbs are very standard items. the parking lamps are 194NA (for amber), and are available just about anywhere. the fog lamps are also available just about anywhere. pull one out, and take it with you for a proper match.

-the window regulator is not bad; it's the motor. replacing the motor is an extremely miserable job, so if you're not a real masochist, don't even try to do it yourself. your mechanic will tell you the regulator is shot, but it's only the motor. we've heard this from mechanics since we've been in business, and we always make them a friendly bet: if it's the regulator and not the motor, we'll send them the regulator free of charge. no one has taken us up on our offer yet. be sure to buy a new, quality motor from a quality parts house like NAPA (no Autozone junk here), or spring for a new Delco motor. this is definitely a place you don't want to use any used parts. the motor is a standard GM item, used on over fifty different GM cars.

-motor and transmission mounts. again, a quality parts house like NAPA. these are (again) not Reatta-exclusive, and most E-body (Toronado, ElDorado, Seville, Riviera, and more) share the same mounts.

-the struts are available just about anywhere. Reattas have independent rear suspension, so there are struts back there, too. no shocks.

-interior parts. you can contact us for any of that. our web address is below.

Mike, buickreattaparts.com

[Guest F14CRAZY]

The halogen turn signal bulbs are 890s. Difficult to find, but I think 891s work just fine.

I suggest Monroe Sensatracs for struts if you prefer performance

[pkmike]

The halogen turn signal bulbs No. 890 were available as a regular stock order through our dealer... had them next day. About $14.00 Cnd.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

I just went down to auto zone with my bulbs and they gave me the exact ones.

[Barney Eaton]

The 890 bulbs are not carried by many parts houses because it appears to be a "[censored]" size. At first glance it looks just like 885, but the 890 is actually shorter than the other "look alike bulbs" and this may be the reason some Reatta owner have broken the amber globe in the assembly.

Like others, I had a 890 burn out so I went into the archives of bulbs and found another to use..... I could never get it to fit into the hole. After checking all the obvious reasons, I compared the length from the mounting surface to the end of the sealed glass bulb and it is at least .100 longer than the other bulbs.

Because of this (and the fact that I am out of 890's) I will be ordering at least 10 from a supplier and will take them to Lansing next month. It would be a good place for "Show & Tell" on the bulbs.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

The Buick dealer had to order them when I went there for them

[dlb61]

I'm a new member and this light topic is exactly what I'm having trouble with! I have an '89 Reatta with a burned-out front turn signal. There seem to be a number of bulbs burned-out, I have a couple packages of 194NA's and 2 of the 890's (found then at a local Pep Boys Automotive). So just how do I get to the lights to replace them??? It appears I will need to reach up from under the car - is that right? Is there a right way or easier way to do this?

[Guest CL_Reatta]

if it's the passenger side remove the battery and there is a little hole that you can put your hand through if it's the drivers side Click here for a thread I posted a few weeks ago

[dlb61]

Thanks to everyone, just wish it was better news!

[Guest F14CRAZY]

You can get to the 194s either from the bottom or by manually opening the headlights about halfway. A tight squeeze, I know.

The 890 bulb on the driver's side is awful. I had to remove the relay center and the washer fluid tank if I remember right

[dlb61]

I didn't buy this particular car by choice, we just kinda stumbled upon each other in a time of need. In many ways my Reatta seems to be a designer's nightmare, no wonder they weren't produced for very long. Once I get the turn signal bulb in, I will probably be looking to sell. I have a new driver in the family and I really think this car needs experienced drivers. The kid loves it, though!

[Guest jcc3inc]

Sir,

Regarding your door/window problem, see my posts of 5-15-06 and 6-2-06 about

door panels, window operation. I found that the window regulator and guides

were not well aligned. There is a bottom track, a front track and a back track

involved, and when carefully setup, the window operates well.

Regards,

Jack C.

[Rawja]

dlb61,

Don't give up on your Reatta permaturely, all of of can relate some early frustrations in the beginning of our ownership.

Give her a chance, she'll grow on you. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[dlb61]

That red Reatta looks just like mine! But I suppose the exterior of red Reatta's in general look pretty much the same. Sorry, but I'm thinking this car isn't gonna grow on me. It has been kinda fun having a two-seater, though I've been known to squish a couple teenagers behind the seats when necessary. The dog likes the space - the kids don't.

[reschke132]

The search does not work well. i am looking for install help or online manuals for spark plugs, PCV valve, and fuel filter. the store has to special order a manual, i dont have time. Is this in an old thread, or are there any good websites?

[Guest CL_Reatta]

go to reatta.net and click documentation, that has the service manual and other things for free. you will need to request a password first.

[dlb61]

CL Reatta:

The info you've posted in various places has really helped me. Got another question, though, regarding reatta.net and a service manual. I didn't find anything that fits my definition of a service manual - maybe I wasn't looking in the right place? More likely I'm looking for something that just isn't there!

I have a mechanic who is willing to work on my car but is concerned about the fancy electronics and the touch screen computer. He's got lots of experience and I appreciate the fact that he wants to have some info on the unfamiliar stuff before he goes poking around.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

At the bottom, you gotta fill in the bla...me and password