1996 Buick LeSabre Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1996 Buick LeSabre documents a sedan whose Custom and Limited trims both use the 4-door body. The single listed engine is a 3.8L V6: gasoline, overhead valves, natural aspiration. The manual gives specifications and torque values for that engine, and its procedures cover the engine, fuel, ignition and cooling systems, transmission, brakes, suspension and steering, with wiring diagrams and diagnostics for the electrical system.

Engines covered

• 3.8L V6 (231 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan

Trims covered

• Custom
• Limited

Known issues on the 1996 LeSabre. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1996 LeSabre. On certain 1996 LeSabre vehicles with the 3.8L engine, a backfire while starting could crack the upper intake manifold, leading to a no-start or an engine compartment fire; dealers reprogrammed the powertrain control module, and owners were told to keep the hood closed when starting until then. Certain cars also had a module that could contain a damaged capacitor, which could silence the key-in-ignition chime and the driver's seat belt chime. Of 98 complaints, 18 cite the engine and engine cooling and 14 the electrical system; 8 reported a crash and 6 an injury. Intake, fuel and electrical procedures and wiring diagrams are included.