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2seater, it was great reading. I've never torn into an engine before and really enjoyed reading your topic...a great learning experience for me, thanks.

Thanks for all the input. I bought a factory shop manual, much more detail than Mitchell On-Demand. Finally found the bracket that carries the VATS module, the relay and the security module. Had to pull the driver seat and poke my head way back in there to find it. It is tucked up nearly at the firewall next to the park brake mechanism. Per the shop manual, I jumpered past the relay but noticed that when I energized the circuit, the 14 ga jumper got real warm. Ultimately, it took out the fuse link protecting the circuit. I figured there had to be a short circuit, and by disconnecting the neutral safety switch, then the 50+ pin connector under the right side of the dash I was able to isolate it to a short to ground in the wire leading from the big connector to the neutral safety switch. A careful examination of the wires found a rub-through at the left front of the core support where the convolute tubing had disintegrated over time and let it rub on a bracket. Some fresh convolute tubing fixed the issue. A real head scratcher, but not the worst that I saw in 37 years as a college auto tech instructor. I'm sure I will be very glad going forward that I found and bought a factory manual. I always prized the library of info I had available while I was teaching.

OTOH the CRT tells you more and was just a standard Heath-Zenith CRT, nothing unusual Buick just bought them from a vendor. And on the gripping hand, the Inet has many articles on converting a MDA (monochrome display adapter) to a modern LCD.

I know that's why I keep collecting Reatta "just in case" inventory. I believe Dave L. does this for the same reason. You just never know when you'll need a replacement part.

One of the reasons why I no longer sell parts is because they are mostly not available. People will soon be buying cars for working parts that they can use on their existing cars or just get out of their Reatta. But to your question the least reliable to the most is; 1990/91 IPC 1988/89 CRT 1988/89 IPC

I have an '88 but always thought I would like a '90 dash. I like the speedometer and tach. It think a '90 dash and a CRT would be the best of both worlds, but it's my understanding the CRT was too hard to see in a vert. I think they should have both in the '90-'91 coupes.

Thanks for the heads up. The car is far from show quality overall, so I am in little danger of it being an issue😎

BTW it's 4 points off for a different engine.