NEED HELP 2000 century custom

[Buickguy123]

yes sir and drove it to work today and it feel the same way as when i started this mess, done dumped a lot of money in this in the last week and still is not right i am lost. Things replaced chasing this problem::

INTAK AIR SENSOR--- DO NOT REMEMBER THE CODE THAT CAME UP
PO172-- MASS AIR FLOW, O2 SENSOR BANK 1, 3 COILS, 6 PLUGS, FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE SOLENIOD, AIR FILTER, OIL AND FILTER, TRANS. OIL AND FILTER, (DROP PAN CHANGE NO FLUSH) AND IT STILL RUNS LIKE SHIT.
all ways been a reliable car do not know what to do next.
This morning the RT. Window won't work so there goes a regulator will do that tomorrow.
HELP ME GUYS AS I AM LOST NOW

I have replaced 3 of those regulators. There is a great YouTube Century video out there showing how to do it...the 2 back windows in my 2000 Century are broken and I just used a piece of wood and duct tape to rig them shut. The fronts I need. Nobody sits in the back much LOL. They cost like $50 bucks on Amazon now although the last one was used $22 and works. It's a pathetic plastic design on those things that holds the wires. Snap crack break. Maybe your main issue is transmission? I am only a B minus mechanic if that!

 

[mike nich]

I have replaced 3 of those regulators. There is a great YouTube Century video out there showing how to do it...the 2 back windows in my 2000 Century are broken and I just used a piece of wood and duct tape to rig them shut. The fronts I need. Nobody sits in the back much LOL. They cost like $50 bucks on Amazon now although the last one was used $22 and works. It's a pathetic plastic design on those things that holds the wires. Snap crack break. Maybe your main issue is transmission? I am only a B minus mechanic if that!

changed that yesterday. looks like the fuel canister is on top of the fuel tank? do i have to drop the tank to change?

 

[mike nich]

changed that yesterday. looks like the fuel canister is on top of the fuel tank? do i have to drop the tank to change?

ok buick is better today, maybe the fuel treatment is starting to work, but got the p0404 code today, should i change the EGR VALVE or the EGR VACUUM SOLENIOD FIRST? any test for the SOLENIOD before i buy the valve?
Thanks

 

[mike nich]

ok buick is better today, maybe the fuel treatment is starting to work, but got the p0404 code today, should i change the EGR VALVE or the EGR VACUUM SOLENIOD FIRST? any test for the SOLENIOD before i buy the valve?
Thanks

do you know where the EGR VACUUM SOLENIOD IS LOCATED? the parts Stores list one but i cannot find where it is located.
2000 century 3.1
Thanks

 

[chem_man]

The charcoal canister is located on the underside of the car by the driver's side rear wheel. It's a good sized part. Here is a link to what it looks like:

More Information for STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS CP442

How does the OBD II dongle work? Well, it works just like your Actron scanner. Plug it into the OBDII port, then using Bluetooth, you pair it to a Bluetooth enabled device and then start using an appropriate. Rather than using wires to transfer the data to the display, it uses radio waves. I do not know if the Veepeak dongle can be purchased elsewhere. Try googling it and see.

I know that there are other Bluetooth OBDII dongles available, BUT, may of them, especially the ones sold at auto parts stores, are typically proprietary in nature and you must use their software and it often does not allow you to monitor the data streams like the Veepeak - Torque Pro setup will do.

Good Luck!

 

[chem_man]

OK, now to answer some of your other questions.

The EGR Valve Vacuum Solenoid Location - I do not know. For the moment do not worry about it.

The P0404 EGR Valve Code - Before you go replacing any more parts, diagnose the problem as it will likely save money. Remember, a Diagnostic Code is telling you there is a problem with a circuit or a system. It does not tell you that a part is defective. Now, please go to the following link and read what the P0404 codes means and how to diagnose it (by the way, the Buick Regal is essentially the same mechanically as a Buick Century_:

P0404 Buick Regal Error Code - Meaning & Fix

The error code P0404 in a Buick Regal indicates that the Engine Gas recirculation (EGR) valve or sensor is out of range or that its performance is out of

vehiclefreak.com

Location of the EVAP system's charcoal canister - in front of or behind the driver's side rear wheel.

Do not change the EGR valve or EGR valve Solenoid until everything else has been sorted out. You will not cause any damage to the engine. In fact, the P0404 code might be the result of another issue such as the EVAP system and the engine running rich code. Also, the P0404 code might be "cured" by fixing a wiring problem or reseating an electrical connector.

Any other questions?

Good Luck!

 

[chem_man]

I forgot to ask, is your 2000 Century California Emissions or Federal? It should be on a sticker on the upper radiator cross support piece,

 

[mike nich]

OK, now to answer some of your other questions.

The EGR Valve Vacuum Solenoid Location - I do not know. For the moment do not worry about it.

The P0404 EGR Valve Code - Before you go replacing any more parts, diagnose the problem as it will likely save money. Remember, a Diagnostic Code is telling you there is a problem with a circuit or a system. It does not tell you that a part is defective. Now, please go to the following link and read what the P0404 codes means and how to diagnose it (by the way, the Buick Regal is essentially the same mechanically as a Buick Century_:

P0404 Buick Regal Error Code - Meaning & Fix

The error code P0404 in a Buick Regal indicates that the Engine Gas recirculation (EGR) valve or sensor is out of range or that its performance is out of

vehiclefreak.com

Location of the EVAP system's charcoal canister - in front of or behind the driver's side rear wheel.

Do not change the EGR valve or EGR valve Solenoid until everything else has been sorted out. You will not cause any damage to the engine. In fact, the P0404 code might be the result of another issue such as the EVAP system and the engine running rich code. Also, the P0404 code might be "cured" by fixing a wiring problem or reseating an electrical connector.

Any other questions?

Good Luck!

fed. emissions. changed egr yesterday have not drove it yet, purge tank s on the upper of the fuel tank drivers' side, behind the rear wheel is a canister switch or solenoid valve of some sort, cannot find the egr vac, solenoid, says it has one, but no vac, line to the egr valve to trace back to find it. oh well guess i will be looking for another ride soon,

 

[Buickguy123]

fed. emissions. changed egr yesterday have drove it yet, purge tank s on the upper of the fuel tank drivers side, behind the rear wheel is a canister switch or solenoid valve of some sort, can not find the egr vac, solenoid ,says it has one, but no vac, line to the egr valve to trace back to find it. oh well guess i will be looking for another ride soon,

Does the car start up and run? Does it buckle and jerk while driving? Is it stalling out? I hate to say it but maybe you need to go to a dealer if you have not already or a shop?

 

[Buickguy123]

fed. emissions. changed egr yesterday have drove it yet, purge tank s on the upper of the fuel tank drivers side, behind the rear wheel is a canister switch or solenoid valve of some sort, can not find the egr vac, solenoid ,says it has one, but no vac, line to the egr valve to trace back to find it. oh well guess i will be looking for another ride soon,

You put a new EGR valve in the vehicle as I did last week in my PA? What codes do you have now? I wonder if after you changed the ATF and filter the transmission did not like the new fluid and your transmission is working in what they call a "safe" mode. Hence, you notice the vehicle not performing as it was before? But I would think it would be throwing a code for a transmission issue?

 

[mike nich]

Does the car start up and run? Does it buckle and jerk while driving? Is it stalling out? I hate to say it but maybe you need to go to a dealer if you have not already or a shop?

starts fine, runs fine without a load (park neutral) no stalling, it is like no power when taking off, i give it more gas it will catch and go but it is real sluggish, and like it does not want to shift right , i lift it shifts fine , set cruise it is fine, going up a small incline it wants to shift back down to accommodate for it (witch it has never done), always been a good reliable car till this starting happening. it has 91k miles. always serv. at 5k miles, trans., coolant, ps fluid, brake flush once a year or so maybe every other on some of those things. really do not want to part with it but might have to, not going to pay the (stealer) to look at it they are too expensive (i would rather fix myself). Thanks

 

[mike nich]

You put a new EGR valve in the vehicle as I did last week in my PA? What codes do you have now? I wonder if after you changed the ATF and filter the transmission did not like the new fluid and your transmission is working in what they call a "safe" mode. Hence, you notice the vehicle not performing as it was before? But I would think it would be throwing a code for a transmission issue?

dextron fluid and filter, pan drop no flush, cleared eng. codes (p0404) no more codes as of yet will drive today

 

[mike nich]

fed. emissions. changed egr yesterday have not drove it yet, purge tank s on the upper of the fuel tank drivers' side, behind the rear wheel is a canister switch or solenoid valve of some sort, cannot find the egr vac, solenoid, says it has one, but no vac, line to the egr valve to trace back to find it. oh well guess i will be looking for another ride soon,

 

[mike nich]

well drove it a bit this morning, now the engine light came back on with a P0341 and the P0404 code is back also. going to erase them and see if they come back as i have to go to some DR< APPTS. here soon, hope it gets me there and back,😵

 

[mike nich]

well drove it a bit this morning, now the engine light came back on with a P0341 and the P0404 code is back also. going to erase them and see if they come back as i have to go to some DR< APPTS. here soon, hope it gets me there and back,😵

the code p0341, I left a plug unplugged while looking for the problem i was unplugging things looking for bad connections, none found, plugged it back in , cleared the codes, no light on at the present, still runs like SHIT though. do not know what to do next. ?????
Thanks

 

[chem_man]

I believe the EGR vacuum solenoid is for California emissions ONLY. Since your's is FED, stop looking for something that is not present.

Next thing to do is to make sure you did not reinstall one of your old ignition coils by mistake. Then make sure you have not crossed spark plug wires and that they are snapped onto the coil towers and spark plugs.

Yes, this is a challenge, but we'll figure it out.

 

[mike nich]

I believe the EGR vacuum solenoid is for California emissions ONLY. Since your's is FED, stop looking for something that is not present.

Next thing to do is to make sure you did not reinstall one of your old ignition coils by mistake. Then make sure you have not crossed spark plug wires and that they are snapped onto the coil towers and spark plugs.

Yes, this is a challenge, but we'll figure it out.

all new coils installed, wires are in the correct firing order, all are seated correctly, on both coils and plugs, no miss or misfires, runs like a top in park and neutral, just not when driven. i also took double checked the location on the fuel canister it is on top of the tank, not behind the rear wheel, behind the rear wheel is a valve looking solenoid.
Thanks

 

[chem_man]

OK. Only thing I can think of would be to check the fuel pressure again - this time in gear, as well as seeing what the current draw of the fuel pump is.

Regarding the emissions canister, sounds like the factory moved the location from the 1999 model year.

 

[mike nich]

OK. Only thing I can think of would be to check the fuel pressure again - this time in gear, as well as seeing what the current draw of the fuel pump is.

Regarding the emissions canister, sounds like the factory moved the location from the 1999 model year.

ok i will rent the gauge again and test in gear, will let you know when it is done.
Thanks

 

[chem_man]

Good Luck!

Do you know how to do the current draw test?