Buick Reatta Dash Problems

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The diagnostic port on the '88 Reatta is located under the driver side of the dash to the right of the steering column. Very cool car by the way. Jan 03, 2011 1988 Buick Reatta. It didn’t need another. A worthy candidate for any Worst list, we present the 1988-91 Buick Reatta. The historical record indicates Buick thought it needed a halo car but not as good as a Corvette nor as bad as the Pontiac Fiero. In other words: a low bar. Based on extensive consumer research what Buick came up with was the Allante.

  1. Buick Reatta Dash Problems 5th
  2. 1991 Buick Reatta Problems

The make was not listed so I will enlighten you all about what it was. It was a 1989 Buick Reatta. What I liked about the car most was the Delco developed Electronic Control Center. It was a mini computer screen in the middle of the dash and everything you wanted you just touch the screen and it would happen. Reatta owners fell in love with Buick’s luxury two seater and they weren’t likely to want to abandon them any time soon. But, with the release of the overall production numbers (21,751), there were more questions than answers. Forrette contacted Buick Motor Division for assistance and was provided with a list of the original owners.

Buick Reatta
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Production1988–1991
AssemblyLansing Craft Center, Lansing, Michigan
DesignerDave McIntosh (1983)
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer/Sports car
Body style1988–91: 2-door coupe
1990–91: 2-door convertible
LayoutTransverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
PlatformE-body
RelatedBuick Riviera
Oldsmobile Toronado
Cadillac Eldorado
Powertrain
Engine1988–90: 3.8 L LN3 BuickV6
1991: 3.8 L L27 BuickV6
Transmission1988–89: 4-sp 440T-4automatic
1990: 4-sp 4T60automatic
1991: 4-sp 4T60-Eautomatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase98.5 in (2,502 mm)
Length183.7 in (4,666 mm)
Width73.0 in (1,854 mm)
Height1988–89: 51.2 in (1,300 mm)
1990–91: 51.6 in (1,311 mm)
Curb weight3,593 lb (1,630 kg)
3,392 lb (1,539 kg)

The Buick Reatta is a low-volume transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive, two-door, two-seater grand tourer/sports car manufactured and marketed by Buick as a coupe (1988–1991) and convertible (1990-1991) — both featuring a 3.8 liter V6 engine and shortened version of the GM E platform, the same one that underpinned the Buick Riviera.

Dash

As Buick's first two-seater and its first convertible since the 1985 Riviera, the Reatta was manufactured in a highly specialized assembly program at the Reatta Craft Center (later known as the Lansing Craft Center) in Lansing, Michigan—achieving production of over 21,000 units in four years.[1]

Buick Reatta Dash Problems

The presence of the Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac Fiero, Pontiac Firebird, Cadillac Allanté and Oldsmobile Toronado at the time of the Reatta's introduction meant that all of GM's passenger-car divisions offered at least one sporty coupe during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Overview[edit]

Assembly at the Reatta Craft Center was performed at a series of stations each with a specialized team of workers, rather than on a conventional assembly line. After a team had completed their portion of the assembly, the car would be moved by robots to the next station. Paintwork was performed on site under subcontract to PPG Industries.

The Reatta used GM's transverse 'Buick 3800' V6 with 165–170 hp (123–127 kW) and 210–220 lb·ft (285–298 N·m) of torque with the highest output in the last year of production. The car sported a fully independent suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, and front wheel drive. Top speed was electronically limited to 125 mph (201 km/h). The Reatta was rated at 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) in the city and 27 mpg (8.7 L/100 km) on the highway.

The Reatta was intended as a halo car for Buick with projected production of 20,000 units a year. GM announced the end of production in early 1991.[citation needed]

Features[edit]

Rear view (1988 coupe)

The Reatta featured twin bucket seats with a storage area behind the seats featuring two lockable bins[2] and a lockable access hatch to the rear trunk. At introduction, options included 16-way power seats in lieu of 6-way power seats, side moldings in either black or body color and pinstripe delete. A sunroof became optional in late 1988, and in 1989 keyless entry was added as a standard feature.[original research?]

The Reatta had the distinction of being Buick's only car with pop-up headlamps with the entire headlamp assembly moving up and down. The other Buick cars with hidden headlamps, the Riviera (1965–1969) and the Skyhawk (1987–1989 for certain trim levels), had fixed headlamps hidden behind moveable covers.

Initially (1988-89), the Reatta featured a touchscreen computer interface, marketed as the Electronic Control Center (ECC), that included radio and climate control functions, date reminder, trip computer and user-configurable overspeed alarm, as well as diagnostic access to the vehicle's electronic systems and sensors. Later models were equipped with conventional push-button stereo and climate controls. The new system eliminated the trip computer functionality and the climate control buttons could access diagnostic information, replacing the diagnostic scanner capability formerly provided by the touchscreen.

In 1990, the interior was redesigned, adding a driver's airbag and an optional CD player. In 1991, the 'L27' 3800 engine and 4T60-E transmission replaced the 'LN3' and hydraulic 4T60 units and the Reatta received a new ABS system, new 16' wheels, automatic headlamps and a cup holder built into the armrest.[original research?]

Each Reatta included a leather book containing the owner's manual and a pen. In 1990 and 1991, a zippered owner's folio was included holding the owner's manual, pen, flashlight and tire gauge, as well as a 'Craftsman's Log' with the signatures of the supervisors for the car's assembly.[original research?]

1991 Buick Reatta coupe, with the model year specific 16-inch wheels

In 1988, approximately fifty-five examples were designated 'Select Sixties' and allocated to Buick's top sixty dealers. The models, internally designated model X22, featured a black exterior, tan interior, and unique 'Select Sixty' hood emblems.[original research?]

Reatta

In 1990, the Select Sixty program was repeated, with sixty-five white convertibles including special emblems, and a flame red interior with white bucket seats, white 16-inch wheels, and cup holder.

Convertible[edit]

After a delayed introduction due to design difficulties,[2] Buick introduced the convertible Reatta in 1990 with a manually-operated top designed by ASC, available in vinyl or cloth with a glass rear window and electric defroster. When retracted, the top was protected by a rigid tonneau cover. The 1991 models featured power pull-down motors to assist in tightening the rear bow of the top to the tonneau cover.

A Buick convertible would not be offered again until the four-seat Buick Cascada debuted in 2016.

1990 Buick Reatta convertible

Production[edit]

Buick Reatta emblem

The first pilot car was finished at the Reatta Craft Centre in December 1986.[3] Series production began in January 1988 and ended on May 10, 1991. The original car was sometimes referred to as a '1988½ model year', owing to its January introduction. However, various accounts of much earlier and later cars exist, and the handbuilt nature of the car and long development cycle makes accurately dating production difficult.[original research?]

Buick Reatta Dash Problems 5th

Year4EC97 Coupe4EC67 ConvertibleTotalNotes
19884,70804,708First year. Early '88s had suede seat bolsters. Only year for remote glove box
19897,00907,009Larger hood ornament, keyless entry, sunroof option (mid-88 addition)
19906,3832,1328,515First year of the convertible. Revised interior with new instrument panel, console, and steering wheel-mounted airbag. Select Sixty model gets 16 inch wheels.
19911,2143051,51916 inch wheels, tuned-port 'L-code' engine and electronically controlled transmission, and a new ABS system. Twilight Sentinel, and a cup holder
Total:21,751

References[edit]

Buick reatta dash problems 2006Problems
  1. ^'G.M. Ends Reatta'. The New York Times, May 16, 1991.
  2. ^ ab'Buick Introduces Reatta Convertible'. The New York Times, September 8, 1989.
  3. ^1988 Buick Reatta: Development History (Press Release), Flint, MI: Buick Motor Division, 1988-01-15, p. 7

1991 Buick Reatta sales brochure

External links[edit]

1991 Buick Reatta Problems

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Buick Reatta.
  • ReattaDriver.com Buick Reatta Club Enthusiast website
  • Reattas.com The Reatta Farm website
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  • Recent Posts

    • By Ronnie · Posted

      We had nice weather today so I gave my Reatta it's final bath of the year. I cleaned the leather and then threw the cover over it. All the pretty leaves have now fell from the trees so I doubt I will be doing much more driving until spring. Now that I have the battery disconnect switch installed I'm hoping the battery will be good for a couple of months without charging. I will probably check it in a month and see how the battery is holding up and put more leather dressing on the seats.
    • By Ronnie · Posted

      You must be really good at but dialing because I can't think of a better person to call to get an opinion on Reatta electrical problems. 🙂
    • By rogold · Posted

      Could be a bad alternator. Or a interior light left on. Blower control module is common. Could be the alarm is activated but someone unplugged the horn. Bad Battery. Try this test Reatta Owners Journal then start pulling fuses until the drain disappears.
    • By Bertimus · Posted

      So something is definitely draining my battery. I haven't had this car very long, but the gentleman who sold it to me told me that if the car sits for a while all the electronics drain the battery. But it'll sit for just one night and not start. I know this isn't the case for some lucky owners, but for those of you who have experience with this issue, what was the culprit for you? And I mean it's draining FAST. Any wisdom on this issue would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
    • By DAVES89 · Posted

      Today I left to go to Bob's to help him with a dry wall project. I barely left the driveway when I experienced rough idle with some bucking. Tried the quick fix which was a MAF sensor, but that wasn't it. Car throws no codes so I am going with a Coil Pack/Ignition Module. I will do that in the morning. By mistake I 'butt called' kdirk and while I had him on the phone I asked his opinion and he concurred as did Bob.

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