Hello everyone. I am a 22 y.o. college student. I am not a car person, so I am new to the whole scene. I have a '98 Buick Regal LS, and it'* sad to say... that I haven't been taking care of her the way I was supposed to. I would like to fix her up to be in great condition, plus a few minor upgrades. And also I am running into a few problems with it and not to mention inspection is this month.... I would also like to know what things I could do as a beginner that require minimal assistance and that has low difficulty and then I would eventually like to work my way up. Any tips and suggestions would be greatly apprecitiated. Thank you very much.

Welcome to the forum.

welcome to the forum . I have a 97 regal. There are many capable guys out here to help. Just ask what you need to know

@RJblazer, thank you! @dave, well I'm going to get an official checkup of everything thats wrong, hopefully monday. I just got the water pump replaced, and I replaced my radiator. The things that I know off the top of my head are:

-The front tie rods need to be replaced.(My friend mention something about ball joints as well, but the mech I took it too never noted it. So I'm thinking he is trying to screw me over by leaving out details or my friend doesnt know what he is talking about).

-My odometer never worked since the day I got it.

-My window panel shorted somehow, when i press it it just buzz and i feel a vibration but the windows dont budge.

-I have been getting a shakey feeling when i drive. I think it is a misfire and my friend tells me so, but like I mentioned before I know nothing about cars so I could be wrong.

This is all I know for now.

THanks.

Daryl to assist you better I retitled your thread.
A misfire may store an OBD2 code so..
While the car is being inspected ensure that you ask to have the OBDII codes read and noted for you as well. Any stored codes /questions can then be posted in here...
Here is a list of stored codes form our site: OBD-II Trouble Shooting - GM Forum - Buick, Cadillac, Chev, Olds, GMC & Pontiac chat
I will let others comment on some of other listed problems...

As for odometer and stuff not working this might help. Mine was not working and I repaired it myself. my resistors were laying in the bottom of my instrument case, just had to resolder

Duh I didn't put in the link sorry

Wow, this guy is not a car person and you want him to fix resistors in a cluster?

@TechII If it something I can learn it shouldnt be too bad, I also want to use being in this forum a learning experience. Also

Thanks for posting the video for him Dave, I have to agree with Gus though, if he is new to working on a car, and never done any kind of soldiering, then this repair may be a bit tough to do, I'd suggest at least getting one from a salvage yard, and then you can try to do the repair mentioned, that way if you screw it up you can just put the used one from the salvage yard in.
Here is a good site to sue to try to find the cluster from a local salvage yard.
Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

You may want to try to fix a few of the things that you already know need fixing, as some like the window not going up or down will cause you to get a rejection sticker.
As for testing the window switch, I am sure somebody will post something helpful to allow you to test to see if the switch, or motor is bad, I'd try to help but I do not have any diagrams on hand.


As for the ball joints, if you are able to raise the front end up a bit, you can use a pry-bar, or tug on the wheel at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, and if there is any play in the joint then it needs to be replaced, I am not sure I'd suggest trying to replace them yourself, as I am pretty sure yours are held on with rivets, and without the right tools you are going to have a hard time replacing them.
While it is jacked up you can get an idea of how bad the tie rods are by tugging on the wheel from the 3 and 9 o'clock positions.
I tried to find you a good video on how to get an idea if the ball joints are bad, but I could not find any good videos, I did find one that will at least give you an idea of how to test the joint for play, which it should not have if it is good.


As Art said they can scan the car for codes for you when you take it in, or you could stop by your local auto parts store, like autozone, or advance auto, and usually they will scan it for codes for you, it is free..
I have a feeling the shaky feeling is from your bad tie rods, and possible bad ball joints, but have it scanned for codes to be sure it is not a misfire.