1996 Buick Riviera Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1996 Buick Riviera concerns the Base two-door coupe and its pair of 3.8L V6 engines. The naturally aspirated version and the supercharged version share overhead valves and gasoline fuel; the supercharger is the difference between them. The manual's specifications and torque values reach the engine, its intake, fuel, ignition and cooling systems, then the transmission, brakes, suspension and steering, with wiring diagrams and diagnostics for the electrical system and body.

Engines covered

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

Body styles covered

• 2-door coupe

Trims covered

• Base

Known issues on the 1996 Riviera. Two recalls stand against the 1996 Riviera. In the first, a backfire while starting could crack the upper intake manifold on certain 1996 Riviera vehicles with the 3.8L V6, leading to a no-start and possibly a fire in the engine bay; dealers reprogrammed the powertrain control module, and until then owners were advised to keep the hood closed while starting. The second involved certain 1996 Riviera vehicles whose alarm, lighting and locking module could carry a damaged capacitor, silencing the key-in-ignition and unbuckled-belt warnings. Owners report 44 complaints, led by engine and engine cooling at 8, and 1 complaint reported a fire. Engine, fuel and electrical diagnostics apply.