Ok, here's the scoop....My wife own's this 1989 Le Sabre Sedan (V6). I make fun of it because it's a heap, but she just loves it. She won't settle for a new car and insists that I fix it up instead. She has just threatened to take the checkbook to the mechanic, so i need some help...
Here are the problems:
1. The engine stutters badly when you give it too much (more than just a little) throttle. The stuttering only happens at low rpms, the response is very good at higher rpms. I've already replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs, and the cables. Should i replace the coils? I really do think that it's an electrical problem, but i would like your feedback on this before i start buying parts.
2. The driver's side window won't roll down. It's a nuisance for us smokers, but it's a real pain in the *** in the summer because the air conditioner doesn't work either. If anybody has had any experience fixing their own windows, please warn me of any pitfalls i might experience.
3. The drivers side rear door won't open. The inside and outside handles don't work. Just like problem #2, i would just like some advice on things to avoid.

BTW - This is a $250 car with 160k miles that she's driven for a year and a half. The only major repairs that have been neccessary was changing the front rotors and brakes (the old ones were practically fused together with rust). The exhaust broke off just in front of the cat, but i just welded the crap out of it to keep it together for a little longer. Someday, i would really like to drive it in a demolition derby.

Dear anonymous,

Coils can be weird on those cars- I've had similar kinds of drivability issues that were cured by replacing coils, even though the resistance checked out okay. I would definately consider replacing the coils- they aren't *that* expensive, and there is a relatively good change they will fix your problem.

Power windows are usually just a matter of a loose wire- I would first check the fuse, then just taking things apart and looking for loose connections. Maybe someone else has heard of a common place for these to fail, but I haven't- I would just start checking wires randomly.

For the door, I have no great words of wisdom here either bu I'm guessing you are going to have to remove the inner panel and just check out the mechanisms inside the door, I bet you find some sort of broken piece or a rod that has fallen out of where it is supposed to connect.

Best of luck...

-Bob Cunningham
bobc@gnttype.org

Swapped out the coils yesterday, and the problem with the stuttering is solved. i haven't checked the door or the window yet, but at least it's running good. I hope to get several thousand more miles out of it....

Thanks again...

I fixed the rear driver's side door yesterday. The locking mechanism was stuck on. I was able to get it unjammed, and then I wired it up so it can't lock again. The door works perfectly, but the fuel pump went out right after i fixed the door. Perhaps the jammed lock was the only thing holding the fuel pump together!!!!

It sure sounds like someone has a bad streak going there! But I gotta tell you, at any given time there are 2-3 things I have to fix on my '69. The older they are, the more you have to pay attention to them. When one is fixed, the next thing breaks. At least it seems that way...

Best of luck with the fuel pump!

-Bob Cunningham