5th Nov 2002, 23:25
Try chevycelebrityclubofamerica-subscribe@yahoogroups.com if you are interested in fixing that electrical problem. Maybe they can help. These cars have electrical systems that are easy to diagnose and repair with the proper manuals and wiring diagrams.
25th Nov 2002, 05:17
The electrical problem you have is probably due to a bad cigarette lighter blowing the fuse when it is inadvertently pushed in. When the fuse blows, the radio, dome light and horn do not work. The original equipment lighter frequently corrodes and shorts the circuit when pushed in. Try putting in a new fuse and pushing in the lighter and see if the fuse blows again. If you're a non smoker, toss it!
17th Mar 2005, 09:57
I just purchase a 1988 Chevy Celebrity for $777 and it runs great except for a few minor fix ups like the hood latch. The cable is frayed and needs to be replaced. A couple of dings, but otherwise everything works. I will need to get a new paint job done on it since the paint that came with the car was recalled. The previous owner had to take it in again because the second paint job was just as bad as the first. He finally gave up after the third try. I am going to try Macco and a different color. The interior leaves a lot to be desired. Does anyone know where I can get some cool seat covers to fit in the celebrity? It is a V6 Fuel Injected.
17th Mar 2005, 10:00
Oh yeah... I could use a 1988 Chevy Celebrity manual book if anyone knows where I can purchase one or if someone has one laying around please send it my way.
R. Rodrigues
PO Box 461048
Leeds, Utah 84746.
24th Jun 2006, 14:53
I purchased my 88 Chevy Celebrity for $350 & ran it for a year and a half. It had 190 thousand miles on it and yet I never had a problem with the engine or the transmission. I did tend to blow the fuse for the radio whenever I plugged my cell phone charger into the cigarette lighter plug-in crooked. The only reason I gave up the car was the frame rusted through both in front of and right behind the front drivers side tire. I went from there into a 94 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme & if I can get that to last half as long as the celebrity, I think I got a winner.
26th Jun 2006, 18:00
I bought a 1988 chevy celebrity Eurosport three years ago for $400 it has been a great car. It has all the toys and up until last summer the ac still worked. The car has 125000 on it now. I've been told these cars are known to run 200000 plus. It has some rust and the rack is now getting tired, but other than that it still runs like a raped ape. I thouhgt about actually getting rid of it for a truck, but after reading all the comments that are positive about this car I'm really thinking about keeping it and doing the $300 or $400 dollars work it needs.
19th May 2008, 23:37
A friend of mine and her husband gave me an '88 Celebrity about a month and a half ago, and I dearly love it! This is my first car, and it has been taken care of well. I've only had to have the air conditioner charged, and it looks like most everything else is in great shape. Before she told me about the car, I couldn't remember when I had seen a Celebrity on the road anywhere, but I've noticed them almost everywhere since. I take that to mean that they are a well-made car, especially since they are an older model. I actually hope that Chevrolet brings Celebrity back at some point like they did with the Malibu. I think it would translate well to a newer look.
6th Nov 2008, 15:30
I have an 1989 Chev Celebrity with 160k miles... seems to be riding well. I think the wheel alignment is off, does that happen often? I'm think of a larger rim size since 14" tires are difficult to find. Oh every once in awhile the transmission feels like its slipping, especially when making 80 to 90 degree turns. Any suggestions.
-- Frank in DC Metro area.
6th Nov 2008, 22:51
I'd love to see ANYBODY make an "80 to 90 degree turn" in anything other than a lawn mower, but, yes, I get the idea. The old Celebrity is a rock-solid workhorse of a vehicle. At 160,000 miles you might need a wheel alignment (though I drove my Dodge 240,000 miles without one). This is especially true if the car has hit curbs or large pot holes.
The transmission slippage may be nothing more serious than a partially clogged filter. A fluid and filter change might solve that easily. I've encountered that issue before. If you do the work yourself, or have a car-savvy buddy that can do it, the cost is about $30 including the fluid.
One of my best friends bought a Celebrity wagon that already had 212,000 miles on it. He drove it 3 more years and it proved to be a very good old car.
I can't imagine not being able to find 14" tires. All the tire stores I deal with have everything from 12" up to 24" tires.
12th Jan 2009, 20:36
I have a 1988 Celebrity, I bought it from an old lady and when I bought it it had 37,000miles on it... I bought it in 2006 LOL!. Great deal let me tell ya. For what this car is known for, I didn't mind handing her 1400.00 for it. It included all its original paper work.
All I've done is regular maintenance and tightened up the rack and pinion.
This car rocks, but more recently it has been knocking when I take a right turn during acceleration. So it has to be the transmission arm thingy or something. Also it now jerks on acceleration, so I don't know what that's all about LOL; the engine light is on. But this thing is like a Timex watch! It takes a lickin and keeps on tickin.! Its at 80,000 miles now. What a great deal I got! =) ~!
9th Aug 2002, 03:38
Update to my "7 months without a penny spent on it" comments.
It has been over a year since I left these comments here. I still have the car, it works fine, although it is starting to rust quite a bit. I give it enough care, I wash it once a month and wax it twice a year. I think that's enough cosmetic care for a 15 year old car. I am very impressed at how reliable this vehicle has been. Impressed to a point that I purchased another GM vehicle. I bought a '94 Pontiac Trans Sport. Celebrity is not used as much anymore, but when called upon it never lets me down. I replaced the brakes and fixed few minor problems in October of 2001, nothing since. I seem to have a short somewhere in the electrical system, I keep blowing fuses that operate minor interior features, so right now I'm driving without the radio, interior lights, horn and warning lights and signals. I should probably fix it, since I plan on keeping it until it dies. I will update this survey as soon as the car dies for good.