96 list of problems

I just got the car paid off.
I am thinking about purchasing a repair manual (any suggestions on the listed problems, and repiar book prices)

List of problems:

* Drivers seat does not retract forward anymore(something
broke in the handle)really difficult to drive.
* Cruise control does not work.
* Passenger rear seatbelt does not clip.
* Only one side of the horn works
* Driver's side door lock switch does not work
* Cup holder broke (the one uder ash tray)

Some good things:

* 167,000 miles still starts and gets the family where we need to go.
* Farly easy to work on (I love the pour neck at the oil filter).
* No rust (undercoated)
* Quick car and fast

The items that I have listed under the problem catagory, has there been any Survice Bulletins from this web site http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/

It seems there is a common thread of car problems for the 1996 model year.


Thanks

sorry about the long thread
Kirk
:grinno:

Seat belts that don't latch have usually had a penny or something inserted in the slot by a kid. Try pushing the button in while tapping the buckle, slot down, on something solid. Sometimes that will make it fall out.

The seat, if it is like I remember, has two thin wire cables that operate the releases when you pull the handle. Sometimes one breaks, and it won't move without both sides releasing. You can move it if you can get a hold of the broken cable and pull it while moving the handle. I'm sure ther is a part available to fix it, but the seat would have to come out to do it.

The door lock switch is probably just worn out, a new on doesn't cost much and installation is a snap.

Never seen a cup holder that was worth a damn in a car.

The cruise control module might be bad, but check your fuses, just for laughs.

As for the horn, I don't know what a new horn pad would cost.

for the problems you are experiencing, ther is no aftermarket repair manual that will tell you diddly squat about those items. As far as general repair and tune-up, I've always favored Haynes over Chiltons. A factory repair manual (and they are pricey) is the only one that is specific enough for teh things you're trying to repair.

Thanks for the quick response

(About the seat problem)

The seat will not stay in a upright position. It is like the cog that holds on to the gear is slipping. There is a spring on the outside of the seat that is about 3/8"x1/8" thick. It has sprung and is pretty tough to wrap it back around. The passenger side has this spring also and I think it is just held on by the pressure of the spring. I can only see two screws that hold the seat on, I am sure there is two more screws somewhere hiding under the seat bracket. Nothing underneath the car.

Anyway, I will look into the door lock price from the dealer or autostore, before it gets too cold. I will also check the fuse for the cruise control.

Kirk

Check back soon

There's four bolts, two front and two back. Good news is the first two (whichever you can see) are easy. Bad news is now you gotta scoot the seat away from the railing that's bolted down to get to the other two...and when you take the seat out, take care not to move the rails too much. If they're not parallel and aligned then you'll have fun trying to get it right when the seat's sitting in the car ready to be bolted in.

Just a few little things that I have done to the car.

*replaced battery
*Plugs
*wires
*PVC Valve
*Fuel filter (nice location under car easy to get to)
*oil/filter 3,000-6,000 miles +-
*serpinteen(sp) belt
*water pump started leaking, needed new seal(just put a new pump in)
*Altinater went out early after I bought the car (under warrenty)
*brakes
*tires

I think I need spell check.....