Steady Clicking in Dash-New Owner

We just bought a Used 2002 TrailBlazer LTZ - yesterday. We were a little leary of it having all the bells and whistles, because it just means there is more to go wrong. We tested every feature before we signed an offer. Tonight , however, I started the vehicle and drove a couple of blocks before I started hearing a clicking (like that of old clock or ball-point pen). It had a steady tempo with a about a 2 second pause and sounded as though it was coming from the area near the headlight sensor (in middle of dash near the bottom of the window). We arrived home about five miles later - had turned every feature on and off with no resolution. Finally, after trying almost everything, we shut off the car, waited a few minutes started it back up.

The noise was gone and hopefully that will be the last of it. The only thing we didn't try was pushing the button for the automatic headlights. Does anyone have any ideas. After reading all of your comments, I am thinking it would be best to buy the extended warranty or maybe even take it back, but it is a beautiful vehicle. I know every vehicle has some problems, but this seems like many! Any help you can give will be appreciated.

Congrats on the TB!
I would recommend an extended warrenty if for any reason you believe there might be any problems with it. I bought my 02 LT new with 120mi on the odo, so I didnt feel the need to buy the warrenty at the end of my 3yr/36K factory warrenty. I do all the work on it myself or with buddies, never will let the dealership touch my TB unless it is for a computer reflash.

As for the ticking, it is a common problem. I think it is the heat vent actuator going bad. I know some guys over at www.TrailVoy.com have had the same issue and (I think) have it resolved.

I know every vehicle has some problems, but this seems like many!

Many? You described ONE issue -- an unidentified clicking sound, that went away (not even sure I'd call that a "problem"). Do you mean many POTENTIAL problems? That is the reality all modern vehicles -- they are complex, technologically advanced, computer/software/electro-mechanical/hydraulic systems -- but I don't the the TB is any worse in that respect than any other modern vehicle.

In general, extended warranties are a waste of money.

Of course, someone will reply to this post with a story about how much money one saved him -- somebody wins every lottery too, but that doesn't make it a smart way to spend your money. The vast majority of extended warranties never pay for any repairs. Statistically, the primary "value" of an extended warranty is the peace of mind it offers some people. If you can't sleep at night worrying about potential problems with your truck, then get one. Otherwise, there are smarter ways to spend the money.

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Or... for people like me, who are lucky to keep $100 in their account, paying an extra $20/mo to fix a potential $2000+ problem, it's well worth the warrenty.

I'm guessing you were not talking about your TB issues as much as you were probably looking at this forum and saying it appears there's a lot of issues. One thing people must (almost) always remember about the internet, and especially forums, there's not a lot to talk about, unless there's something BAD to talk about. So, most of the time, you will usually only see negative stuff on forums such as this. A lot of cell phone forums, and political forums and.... it tend to be mostly negative (bad news is good news for a forum). Don't be too judgemental based soley on what you may see here.

I'm guessing you were not talking about your TB issues as much as you were probably looking at this forum and saying it appears there's a lot of issues.

EXACTLY! Thank you for the advice and understanding.

Many? You described ONE issue -- an unidentified clicking sound, that went away (not even sure I'd call that a "problem"). Do you mean many POTENTIAL problems?


Very good! Your right. I did only describe one SMALL problem that went away. If you would have read the entire post, you would seen that I just purchased the vehicle (now 2 days ago), and I was refering to the 'many' problems others had posted . Trust me, if MY TB had 'many' problems, after one or two days, I would not have come on here looking for answers (though most are appreciated) - I would have taken it back to the dealer.

Maybe you have some issues with this site because you feel it is giving TB's a bad rep?!? Whatever the case...Thank you for the warm welcome and delight'ful' advice.

EXACTLY! Thank you for the advice and understanding.


No problem

If you would have read the entire post...

I did read the entire post. Sorry, I couldn't make out what "many" problems you were referring to. You said "We were a little leary of it having all the bells and whistles, because it just means there is more to go wrong," so I thought you might mean "many" bells and whistles on your particular vehicle to be "problems." That's why I asked if you meant potential problems. I apologize for my inability to comprehend your true meaning.

Maybe you have some issues with this site...

Issues? What issues? You asked about the wisdom of purchasing an extended warranty and I gave you my opinion on the question. Sorry, I thought that's what fora like this were for.

Thank you for the warm welcome and delight'ful' advice.

You're welcome. And welcome to the forum, in spite of your sarcasm.

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Oh, another thing to note about forums is that you can't hear tones in voices and you can't see nods, or winks. :D

I am sorry and accept the apology. Have a great day!

Sorry for the confusion I caused you, I suggested an extended warrenty as an option, and will only recommend getting one if there are lots of problems that materialize within the first few months of owning it. As I said before, I dont have one, but I take good care of my cars and havent had any major problems with my last 2 GM vehicles, a 96 GMC Jimmy and my 02 TB.

Regular maintance keeps most of the problems away, but since it is a used car, you have no idea how the previous owner maintained or served the car.

Just my .02 cents.