1989 Buick Century SES and Cruise Issues Fix

GMC
Avatar
BIGDAD8
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have a 1989 Buick Century, v6, 160k miles. While driving down the road the service engine soon light comes on, the speedometer stops working, if the cruise control is on it will also shut off, the engine continues to run but is running rough. Then suddenly everything will return to normal? I am lost, I have no idea what could all those problems in an instant. Help! :?
May 2, 2006 at 2:47 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
The Service engine soon is the Check engine light. You need to take it to a mechanic and let him scan the computer for code history. The stored code will tell you waht is wrong. I think the Zone will scan it free.

From the symptoms, it could be a vehicle speed sensor but that is a guess.
May 2, 2006 at 5:05 AM
Avatar
BIGDAD8
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I am aware of what the check engine(service engine soon) is for but all of the symptoms occur at the same time, the check engine light coming on should not affect the cruise or the speedometer, it may affect how the engine is running- but I have never heard of this coinciding with the speedometer or vehicle extra such as the cruise control or the power windows? :roll:
May 2, 2006 at 5:36 AM
Avatar
LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
The VSS will affect cruise, speedometer and odometer as well as a erratic transmission shift. As for the power window that is probably a separate incident. They are medium failure items.
May 2, 2006 at 6:06 AM
Avatar
BIGDAD8
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Problem Solved! It finally died all together and wouldn't start. When it died it blew the fuse to the fuel injectors, I replaced the fuse but the car still would not start, it ended up being the ECM (Engine Control Module) located behind the glove box. The part cost $84.00, I was glad I brought the old one with me because I had to take PProm chips from the old and put them into the new, there was also a $140.00 core charge! So bring your old one to avoid 2 trips. Thanks for the assistance!
May 7, 2006 at 1:02 AM
🔧 Tools & Auto Repair Parts
Find automotive tools, diagnostic equipment, and replacement parts for your next repair.
Shop on Amazon →
Paid affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Suggested Repair

Scan the computer for stored codes. The shared speedometer, cruise, and rough-running symptoms can point to the vehicle speed sensor, but this car ultimately would not start after the fuel-injector fuse blew and was fixed by replacing the ECM behind the glove box and transferring the PROM chips from the old module. Bring the old ECM to avoid a core charge and a second trip.

Conversation Summary

A 1989 Buick Century intermittently showed the service engine soon light, lost the speedometer and cruise control, and ran rough before returning to normal. An expert identified the light as the check-engine light, recommended a code scan, and suggested a possible vehicle speed sensor fault. The owner later reported the car died and would not restart after the fuel-injector fuse blew; replacing the ECM and moving the PROM chips from the old unit solved it.

Related Repair Questions

Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle