update: column replacement

i got this column last week and it took me a couple days to break the ignition lock cylinder out without the keys, but i finally did it and got the cars original back in, the column is up now i just gotta connect all the connections.

what was left of the old column

How did the job go. I"m doing this now as we speak.

Why not replace the ignition cylinder and switch while you're in there? It might be good to change the housing too. I had to do all of those on a Silverado to solve an intermittent no-start. I don't know if the Riv is the same or not, but the Silverado has a security sensor on the ignition cylinder housing that is prone to failure.

Jack and Bbyshark...indeedy there IS that pesky "Passkey II" security system issue, but I bypassed it using the resistor trick found by cutting the thin black casing containing 2 white wires from the keyway module and taking those two very skinny white wires and inserting a connector block with the appropriate resistor, that measures what you'd find on your current key.  Yes, it disables the security system AND if you're worried about theft, yes, go for it and replace the whole thing.  There are plenty of posts about bypassing the PassKey II system and people sell the 11 or 13 (I can't remember the exact number) of resistors on eBay.  Overview of Passkey II and Passkey III with cheesy music is enclosed. Note their depictions of Passkey II shows an "orange" wire. On the 1998 Buick Rivieria, it's black. Trust me. Having spent 3 days in 90+ degree heat, I've become very familiar with the Riv's wiring harness below the steering column

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL2TsztF4us

EyeDoc1 wrote:

How did the job go.  I"m doing this now as we speak.

it went smooth, the hardest part was breaking the old lock cylinder, and all that took was patience. not a hard job, but the bolts by the gas and brake pedals might stress you out if you dont have fancy swivels or socket attachments. these are final product pictures

Don't forget to get a 96-99 rear view mirror.

stan wrote:

Don't forget to get a 96-99 rear view mirror.

what does that include? compass? ext temp?

Not sure if it can be hooked on to a 95 but it looks better haha.
Yeah compass and a few more options I think. Never used it (never touched them buttons)

bbyshrk wrote:

stan wrote:

Don't forget to get a 96-99 rear view mirror.

what does that include? compass? ext temp?

Compass and auto-dimming with an output for the auto-dimming driver's outside rear view mirror (which on lots of these cars has long since died and been replaced).

stan wrote:

Not sure if it can be hooked on to a 95 but it looks better haha.
Yeah compass and a few more options I think. Never used it (never touched them buttons)

i got a 96 and my rear view mirror doesn’t include any of that.. could it be ‘97 and up?

I was told mine is aftermarket. There wouldn't have been a need for it if the car had come with a compass and temp mirror in 97. My Riv is loaded too, so it would have had a fancy mirror if one was offered.

Jack the R wrote:

I was told mine is aftermarket.  There wouldn't have been a need for it if the car had come with a compass and temp mirror in 97.  My Riv is loaded too, so it would have had a fancy mirror if one was offered.

i’ll be looking into it for sure. i wish mine came fully loaded a sunroof would be great

That looks great! Same interior color. I have a very stable and very maroon replacement column I pulled from a 98-99 riv. Don't know what to do about the damn maroon color though. Either way looks nice!

bbyshrk wrote:

Jack the R wrote:

I was told mine is aftermarket.  There wouldn't have been a need for it if the car had come with a compass and temp mirror in 97.  My Riv is loaded too, so it would have had a fancy mirror if one was offered.

i’ll be looking into it for sure. i wish mine came fully loaded a sunroof would be great

The sunroof cuts down on headroom enough to be a problem for me, but I like having it.

9ty7rivi - Find your car's interior color and paint it. I've got a few posts on here somewhere about my struggle to find my car's interior paint codes - and when I did, it wasn't a perfect match, presumably because the original paint has lightened over time. But I was able to make it work with lots of feathering. If you paint the whole column though, it won't be such a problem.

9ty7rivi - Find your car's interior color and paint it.  I've got a few posts on here somewhere about my struggle to find my car's interior paint codes - and when I did, it wasn't a perfect match, presumably because the original paint has lightened over time.  But I was able to make it work with lots of feathering.  If you paint the whole column though, it won't be such a problem.[/quote]

Hmmm I do have my color code for my car. If you want to know where the codes are for the car it's underneath the spare tire cover fyi!

Are we talking spray can or actually paint? Anything specific that I should look for? Any input is appreciated. That's my last project for interior work..

Here's the main thread you need - link

My contributions begin on pg 3.  There's more to it than the paint codes under the spare tire cover.  If you've got an SEM dealer near you, see if they can scan the color you have and mix a custom paint that will match your color's current state of fade.  Unless you're repainting entire panels and don't have to worry about matching the existing paint.  

This is a spray can job.

The only problem I found is that the paint isn't durable enough.  The seat belts will wear through it on the front seat retainers.  Maybe that part could be baked, although I'd be concerned about melting the plastic.  

You'll probably want to repair plastic cracks once you get into the door panels - Link

Save yourself a bunch of trouble and buy the JounJip plastic welding kit instead of screwing around with soldering irons and zip ties.

Jack the R wrote:

Here's the main thread you need - link

My contributions begin on pg 3.  There's more to it than the paint codes under the spare tire cover.  If you've got an SEM dealer near you, see if they can scan the color you have and mix a custom paint that will match your color's current state of fade.  Unless you're repainting entire panels and don't have to worry about matching the existing paint.

You'll probably want to repair plastic cracks once you get into the door panels - Link

Save yourself a bunch of trouble and buy the JounJip plastic welding kit instead of screwing around with soldering irons and zip ties.

Crap. Here I go thinking GM solved everything at the convenience of a spare tire parts code chart. What if I were to just swap steering wheels and changed the plastic covers over? Thought was my initial thought when I first pulled it out.

Thanks for the link and information about the door panels. I have been inside and its not scary I can just see plastic cracks and splits at the slightest movement from its final resting place. and I do have zipties and tape on places I should not discuss..haha

9ty7rivi wrote:

9ty7rivi - Find your car's interior color and paint it.  I've got a few posts on here somewhere about my struggle to find my car's interior paint codes - and when I did, it wasn't a perfect match, presumably because the original paint has lightened over time.  But I was able to make it work with lots of feathering.  If you paint the whole column though, it won't be such a problem.

Hmmm I do have my color code for my car. If you want to know where the codes are for the car it's underneath the spare tire cover fyi!

Are we talking spray can or actually paint? Anything specific that I should look for? Any input is appreciated. That's my last project for interior work..

What happened to the original clam shell?  That's the only part of the column that is color coded to the interior.  Did you break it removing it?

9ty7rivi wrote:

What happened to the original clam shell?  That's the only part of the column that is color coded to the interior.  Did you break it removing it?

No, I have yet to start that project because I'm still thinking of an easier solution. If I can swap steering wheels with now issue and swap over the cover, then I won't be worried about much other than install. I'll use my brain, service manuals, this site for further knowledge that I don't possess once I'm deep into it.[/quote]

I think all the Riviera columns were the same. The clam shell will fit. To get it off, you have to remove the knee bolsters to get to the last set of screws. The dash has to come off for that.

LARRY70GS wrote:

I think all the Riviera columns were the same.  The clam shell will fit.  To get it off, you have to remove the knee bolsters to get to the last set of screws.  The dash has to come off for that.

I was looking at your pics. I did noticed you removed the entire upper dash. I didn't think it would have to go that far.. Which part of the dash are you referring?

9ty7rivi wrote:

LARRY70GS wrote:

I think all the Riviera columns were the same.  The clam shell will fit.  To get it off, you have to remove the knee bolsters to get to the last set of screws.  The dash has to come off for that.

I was looking at your pics. I did noticed you removed the entire upper dash. I didn't think it would have to go that far.. Which part of the dash are you referring?

To get to the last set of screws holding the clam shell together, you need to remove the knee bolster portion of the dash board on both sides of the column. To get to the upper attachments for the knee bolster panels, the dash board fascia has to come off. That's the flat panel that surrounds the gauges. It's time consuming, but not hard to do.