First time poster, Long time stalker. I used to have a 1992 red SSEI but was wrecked in an accident back in October. (R.I.P RedDevil.) Saturday I purchased this Bonneville but it needs some work. Don't worry about labor costs because I have a semi-retired mechanic thats does it for free. (well I pay for parts)


1993 Forest Green Metallic Bonneville SSEi. Has 200125 on it. (as of just getting back from the car wash) some fixes need to be done.

1. Sometimes right after startup it will die, but after I gas it a little it idles fine.
EDIT: For some reason it doesn't do it anymore
EDIT2: After an oil change and a new fuel filter its idling rough after startup and sometimes dying right after startup.





3. Is it normal for the temp to get around 220 before the fans kick on?
EDIT: Looked around and realized its normal. Will get the coolant flushed when I get the money.


4. The oil pressure gauge I believe is stuck hovering around 40 (it stays there)
EDIT: It goes to 0 when its off so its not forced stuck.

5. The tail lamp thing is displayed on the info center (all lights work right)
EDIT: Yea I looked and forgot about the plate lights.
EDIT2: license plate lights work so I'll just ignore it.

6. I have the original accessory kit with the cupholders u put in the center storage area. How do I get the cupholders to fit?
EDIT: Wish I had a camera to show u all
EDIT2: screw it.

7. The lights next to the P R N D 2 1 won't turn on when I have all the lights on.
EDIT: To add to this the first row of seat controls don't light up either. can anyone show me how to get to it?
EDIT2: How do I get down there to change the light?


8. The left visor mirror is damaged and needs to be replaced.
EDIT: I'll get the replacement ones If I can get access to my old bonneville.

9. Drivers side rear door won't roll down.
EDIT: How much to fix? Plus it worked when I got it (typical)

10.On the Electric Climate Control the 2 buttons next to the rear defog are broken.
EDIT: I'll replace it. When I pop the dash out it should pull out just fine... Correct?

11.The sunroof cover is broken off and in the trunk. Easy or not to put back on?
EDIT: Forget this problem

12. on the rear passengers side there is a big brown area that is smooth with the paint. Appears it was repaired from something. Even with the paint so I'll find a body shop that'll do it.


13. On the other side someone took a key and made a few lines (not deep though) fix... how?
EDIT: Someone PM'ed me and said to get a green wax, put it on, and buff it.
EDIT2: bought some touch up paint.


The aftermarket computer chip is a "performance" chip. Thats all I know about. If I wanted to revert to a stock coputer chip how much would I expect to pay at the junkyard?

Thank u all for the help!

Where are you located? That will help if you need parts.

As for your issues,

5. Check both license plate bulbs.

8. Just get a new visor. Easy to replace. i'll check for one next time I am at the yard if no one has one.

10. they can be replaced, but it might be easier to get a new one and replace the whole unit. or swap to the 95+ with the mode button.

12. if it is primered well, and smoothed, you could get a can of spray in the correct color from an auto parts store, but will take some time depending on how well you want it to look. If you want it to look like it was never tehre, then a paint shop is the way to go.

Hope those help.

Thanks. All help appriciated.

I live in South beloit, Illinois about 85 seconds from the Wisc. Border

1. Sometimes right after startup it will die, but after I gas it a little it idles fine.
Time for a tune up

2. I get a check engine code 31. The light comes on after I've been driving a while.
What does 31 translate to? Codes are in Techinfo.

3. Is it normal for the temp to get around 220 before the fans kick on? (the fans work just fine btw) It paranoies(sp?) me to death seeing it like that. It hasn't overheated also.
Low speed come on around 215, high speed around 225. Probably time for a coolant flush.

4. The oil pressure gauge I believe is stuck hovering around 40 (it stays there)
Even when you turn off the car?

5. The tail lamp thing is displayed on the info center (all lights work right)
Agreed with JimmyF.. it'* typically the license plate bulbs being overlooked.

6. I have the original accessory kit with the cupholders u put in the center storage area. How do I get the cupholders to fit?
pics?

7. The lights next to the P R N D 2 1 won't turn on when I have all the lights on.
Replace the bulb

8. The left visor mirror is damaged and needs to be replaced. Ideas Suggestions?
Agree..replace (Buick Park Ave visors fit and have the plastic pull out to block more sunlight by the side of the window)

9. Drivers side rear door won't roll down.
Doors don't roll down, they open Check the switches at the drivers door and that rear door. If they work properly then consider a window motor replacement.

10. (breath) On the Electric Climate Control the 2 buttons next to the rear defog are broken. Will they pop out easily?
Replace or repair, replace is easier

11.The sunroof cover is broken off and in the trunk. Easy or not to put back on?
Mmm think you need to drop the headliner to do it..not sure.

12. on the rear passengers side there is a big brown area that was repaired from rusting. Am I able to paint over it just fine or do I need to take it to a body shop?
??? is it brown from rust?

13. On the other side someone took a key and made a few lines (not deep though) fix... how?
Touch up paint

I'm a 17 year old that loves these cars and I take care of 'em. Of course I like to go on Interstate and run it. When I'm going 70 on there it pretty damn quiet on the BRAND NEW goodyear tires. Runs great besides the startup idle. 80000 miles on a new 3800 engine.



I have an MSN IM address in my profile if u want to talk and I'll be able to answer most reply questions. Later.


EDIT: I forgot to mention that there is an aftermarket computer chip in whereever its supposed to be.[/quote]
Under the passenger side dash. Laying on the firewall..a silver box. We'll need to know what that chip is.

We don't generally help people fix cars via PM, email, or IM. It defeats the purpose of a Forum. Someone in a year or two may need to see how you fixed something, and they'll be able to search for it if it'* here.

I think the aftermarket chip is probably a scam (most of them are), but we'll get to that later. We'll need more details on what you were told first.

You have alot of work ahead of you.

I'll have to agree on the other two with on the tail lights, had same thing happen to me, there easy to replace, on might have just come loose.

My idle temp is around 220-225 but drops to about 180 at low speeds, and about 160 at high speeds, and as far as I know I have a oem thermostat in it.

as far as the oil pressure gauge goes I would have to say it'* stuck mine drops to zero when it'* off. My temp, boost, and pressure gauge goes to max and back to zero when I turn the key to the on position.

This is very bad news.

why is that bad? don't you want you'r engine to run cool? what would cause it?

with the stock computer, it must see temps of 180 or above.
The fact that it is running at 225 idle is far to warm...you have some probable cooling system circulation issues that need to be attended to.

Figured it was a cooling problem when he said it was bad, but what kind of things would cause it? T-stat, water pump? are about the only ones I can think about besides a coolant flush.