Like the Allant, it's built on a shortened version of the Riviera/ Toronado/Eldorado/Seville chassis, but any other similarity to Cadillac's two-seater is pure coincidence. He offered $500 for just the book, but the owner insisted that he had to sell the whole car, so Gomberg ended up acquiring the vehicle, and the contents of its glove box, for just $700. A little more to the rear above the coolant overflow tank is another Power Junction Block. Copyright 2023, Antique Automobile Club of America. The dashboard aside, the interior picture brightens considerably. The 1988-91 Buick Reatta Is an Underappreciated Classic - MotorTrend There is no stop or other indicator that they are tight, just a feel and then test for leaks. Copyright 2020 Reatta Owners Journal They will start being displayed as soon as you enter diagnostics. The Reatta was also one of the first GM cars to integrate previously separate controls for things like the power windows with the rest of the cars systems through Body Control Modules (common today). Even with the key off there is power being used by the computers. When the front of the engine was opened up it should have been a good time for a visual inspection inside the front of the oil pan and the area around the timing set. lots of things appear to be very old or original. You may remember our complaints about this feature. I'd used Bar Seal's High Mileage Engine Repair. I'm constantly jockeying cars around. Please make yourself at home. And though Cadillac's appropriation delayed production by two years, North's prototype design was given the go-ahead with relatively minimal changes, retaining a rounded wedge shape with pop-up headlamps, a generous trunk, and a unique bubble-back rear windshield. couldn't tell you as i didn't know what to look for yet for it. Employees were really into those cars and worked hard to make sure that each one had good finish and quality," he said. Ok I'm having troubles with my car the inside electrical are flashing on and off the car runs just fine but the speedometer and the touch screen and interior lights flash on and off very spasticly. no i dont have one of thoes laying around im 19 and use the car as the commuter it sounds like there is a clicking sound comeing from the relays down by the fuse block. From what I can find, the BCM from the Park Avenue or other full size Buick will not work in the Reatta or any other E platform car even from the same year. I have a 1988 Buick Reatta with a nagging A/C problem. we replaced the plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, and the injectors, we also noticed the cat was clogged (especially apparent when we ran some berryman through the intake (like seafoam)), so we removed it though it didn't look as bad as i expected, taking it off helped a little but not much. Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from The American Spectator | USA News and Politics. Did you know that Buick once made a sporty little two-seater? Location of the blower motor relay on 1989 buick reatta There is no relaythere is a motor controller. No more oil loss and performance restored. Probably the rarest iteration of the Reatta was the 1990 Select Sixty convertible; these cars featured all-white exteriors with unique red-trimmed interiors (with white leather bucket seats), 16-inch wheels, and special Select Sixty emblems. Tested: 1988 Buick Reatta Has Two Seats, But Isn't a Sports Car, Best (and Forgotten) Coupes and 1970s G.O.A.T. The person that sold it to me did not seem too concerned and showed me to just switch it off. If the touchscreen is working, that will help narrow the issue. .css-dhtls0{display:block;font-family:GlikoS,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-weight:400;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-dhtls0:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-dhtls0{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-dhtls0{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 61.25rem){.css-dhtls0{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.2;}}Watch Out Casey Jones: We Drive a Locomotive, Our Porsche 718 Cayman Schools Us in Repair Costs, 1974 Datsun 260Z Tested: Improving on a Winner, Our 2023 Subaru BRZ Survived Its First Winter, 2024 BMW i5 M60 Looks to Be Another Promising EV, Our Tundra Embarks on 40K Miles of Truck Stuff, 2023 Lexus RZ450e Tested: Good Lexus, Just-Okay EV, Winnebago's eRV2: Cozy Cabin, Constrained Range, 1975 AMC Pacer Tested: A Fresh-Faced Novelty. Reatta Parts Vendors Paint & Service Codes The Select Sixty Story Design of the Buick Reatta 1988 and 1989 Buick Reatta 1990 Buick Reatta Concern For 1988 Reatta Engine - Buick Reatta - Discussion Forums I sure have i cleaned them with a baking soda and water solution and made thoes suckers shine lol and i tightened it as tight as i could get them. The Reatta's drivetrain is as smooth and relaxed as any big Buick's. It wasnt a bad design but just imagine it with a lower top and wheels pulled out further at each end. 1989 Buick Reatta Coupe FWD-Maintenance & Repair. I don't really have the cash or time at the moment to break down the engine, as it's currently my daily, so I opted to go for a crankcase stop leak and it worked, spectacularly even. Watch the gauges screen and see if the pusher fan comes on when you see the temperature go up to about 240 degrees. / Buick Reatta eBay. They deliver sports-car style without sports-car pain. or lights beside the keys? The 88 is different from other years and has jumpers for the data line in the cover. He works as a real estate agent in Houston and Beverly Hills, and between the two cities, he now owns a total of six Reattas: an '88, two '89s, a '90, and two '91sone convertible and five coupes. ", More Underappreciated ClassicsFirst-Generation Nissan XterraEagle Talon TSi AWDLincoln Blackwood Pickup (Really). Under the hood, a transversely mounted version of Buicks 3.8-liter overhead valve V6, styled the 3800. This was essentially the same engine that Buick was using to power the rear wheels in itsotherhoped-for demographic-changer, the Regal Grand National. Complete instructions for testing pressure and pump performance are in teh How-to guides here on ROJ. My 88 reatta touch screen wont light up but all functions work just cant c them do you know how to fix? Past that I do know it was a garage queen. While goting to find our jaguar we bought I see this 1990 buick reatta, this car is TMU (True Miles Unknown) and major electrical issues. We just can't find anything in the Reatta that makes the editorial heart race to the redline. im pretty sure the cover is there ill check when i get a chance to make it to my car lots of snow up here and no nothing works on the crt besides the radio screen and after about ten minutes it shuts off like when you sit in the car and shut it off but dont open the doors its like that no beeps when i push buttons or anything ill check the BCM out of my park ave this weekend and see if there the same as for the CPS im not seeing the list of reatta suppliers at the top of the page. My Reattas: 1988 1989 1990 Posted June 6, 2021 The sound quality on the vert with the top down is okay for around town driving, but bad especially on the highway. I would like to add that checking fuel pressure would also be a good idea if you haven't done so. This meant the utilization of the new LN3 3.8-liter V-6, one of the first GM engines with port fuel injection and a counter-rotating balance shaft to aid smoothness. 145k miles is relatively low and should be of no cause for concern unless it was abused in a past life? Common problem is the fan will not shut off when the ignition is turned off. Will help you a lot and it is FREE! How much would an average be cost to rebuild a Buick 3.8l v6 engine. the car of course has been sitting a while so i just assumed that had a major play in it. the above poster is right it sounds like you are losing connection with the battery. . The starter interrupt relay is what prevents the starter from operating. 1990 and 91 models came with a personal touch in the glovebox. Followers 0. The goo is a good sign it is bad. I found a 1988 model that is the same color, but would this hood and light fit into my 1990 version? Every time I have the car towed it warps the frame so it looks like I'm going to have to learn how to do this myself. A design engineer was assigned to the studio to help with the final stages of development, but throughout its evolution the Reatta's styling remained in the hands of the advanced-design team. 1990 Buick Reatta Coupe FWD-Maintenance & Repair. It was christened the Reatta Craft Center. Built on computer-controlled platforms the assembly at each station was not rushed as with a typical assembly line. If you haven't changed the ICM you should. Free shipping for many products! He makes solid eye contact. Browse answered 1988 Buick Reatta questions, problems & issues. Before you get too far, maybe you should get some info on that ok i found them thank you guys your are all being very good help in my time of need. But not because it was a two-seater or even because of the early issues with the ECC. Thank you :). Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. The connection to the forward manifold is two studs and nuts. "I might drive one in the morning, and then if I'm passing by storage, I may grab a different one. Really? Buick Reatta Now, who is the customer if not a Buick buyer? It has 176k on it. It wouldnt be the last time. Qualman has the imposing stature of a retired NFL linebacker and the earnest face of an all-American kid grown up. 1988 Buick Reatta Base | Hagerty Valuation Tools January 30, 2011 in Buick Reatta. They told us that what they wanted was an affordable Mercedes 560SL. Please make yourself at home. acceleration to re-enter highway, my car lurched forward. I cannot think of any reason that an oil additive would restore power and mileage unless it is simple coincidence or perhaps the lifters collapsed due to lack of oil which would tend to hurt power output. Tenemos la seleccin ms grande y las mejores ofertas en Calibradores traseros y soportes para Buick Reatta. While the Reatta wasnt very powerful or very quick the 3.8 V6 never exceeded 170 horsepower in factory-built trim it wasnt slow. As we rolled up the miles in comfort, however, it occurred to us that somethingsomething importantwas missing. There is no gasket used at the forward end of the crossover. 1988 buick reatta: control unit..problems with these vehicles CPS probably won't either, can't confirm. It wasnt that it was cramped for the driver or the front seat passenger, but it did look small because it was. An external oil leak of that magnitude would seem obvious, which would be the only reason for stop leak? Everyone said, Its never going to work. . Think you've covered all the bases to try to determine that the issue is with a module. Ahead of its time and too far off-brand. The Reatta's suspension is fully independent, with struts all around, coil springs up front, a transverse plastic leaf spring in the rear, and anti-roll bars at both ends. The issue was in the factory power supply to the digital dash. I assume the coil pack should also be replaced at the same time, definitely couldn't hurt since it too looks quite old etc. 1988 Buick Reatta | Retro Review - YouTube Get free expert troubleshooting help, support & repair solutions for all Reatta Car and Truck. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. I sympathize completely as my 88 is currently operating in limp home mode which happens when the ECM is not getting a good signal from the ICM. After intensive consumer research, Buick settled on a two-place convertible with a removable hard top. And that just barely. It was based on an aging rear-drive platform (also used to build the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the Pontiac Grand Prix) with a primitive suspension, plasticky dashboard, analog gauges, and none of the high-tech features that abounded inside the Reatta. Buick had hoped the Reatta would sell about 20,000 copies annually when the project was green-lighted in the summer of 1986 and the first pilot car assembled. It produced 165 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque (later in production, it made 170 horsepower and 220 lb-ft) providing a competitive zero-to-60-mph time of 9.0 seconds flat. Have you cleaned and tightened the grounds in the junction box near the battery as suggested by Mc_Reatta in a previous post? It seems like one thing after another with this engine. "You can sell an old man a young man's car, but you can't sell a young man an old man's car" "Wide enough that you weren't bumping elbows with your passenger," Qualman said. Is it in the high range of 11 volts or more? All the sound is directed away from the driver/passenger so one has to turn up the volume to the maximum which causes distortion. ok thank you very much NCreatta that would be great. The engineers also wanted to avoid the quality headaches associated with introducing fresh hardware on a new limited-production car. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SKF Alternator Bearing for 1988-1990 Buick Reatta 3.8L V6 - Generator kh at the best online prices at eBay! Slide behind the wheel and you'll swear you're sitting in a Riviera. Any help would be much appreciated. Which came in black only and evoked funerals for any who dared to challenge one to a drag race. BCM will probably transfer, but you'll need to get a CPS from a '86-'89 Rivi or another '88/'89 Reatta. Gomberg believes the Buick V-6 and GM four-speed automatic are nearly bulletproof; he's seen Reattas at the Buick Club of America's annual "Reatta Reunion" with nearly 300,000 miles on the original engine and transmission.