TB quirks, I know you've had them!

[Nor Cal LTZ]

I am really starting to get a bit miffed by the quirkyness of the Trailblazer. I have had mine since May 2002 and continue to notice the oddest things. Any comments on the following?

Remote key fob range reduced...one works at long range, the other works only within 2' of TB (yes they both have new batteries)

Mirror recall (I know about the tech bulletin 04--08-64-021 but still have to have it replaced)

Upon starting TB, the DIC displays the mileage even after I clear the display and re-save. Sometimes it is mileage, sometimes it is range, sometimes it is blank, but very irregular.

I have had the SES light, when serviced the first time they said to tighten the gas cap, did it and it went away. One year later, and yes the cap is always tight now it came on again. This time they tell me that there is intermittent data loss in the computer and that usually means that the battery is bad. I have never had trouble starting the engine, which draws the most current from the battery at any given time. They said there was leakage from the battery? Isn't it sealed gel type? They also said corrosion on terminal. I inspected it after I got it back from the dealer, there was so much dust on the cover and no finger prints showing that they ever even took a closer look.

I have had it stall on the freeway, only to start right back up and never have it happen again. This coincidentally only happens when I drive 5+ hours from Sacramento to Los Angeles. It has happened twice on seperate trips, but never occurs while it is at home in Sac, nor does the dealer ever see any record of it in the computer.

I have been able to shut the car off and the radio still plays...yes I know that is a feature, but to still have it playing after the door is opened and then re-shut? Only happened once but again, very quirky.

The DVD player gets nice and toasty and then goes into disk read error. Sometimes it doesn't even like to eject unless it has been powered down for about 30 minutes.

I have had the "ticking" sound from under the dash, it turned out to be the exhaust gasket and it was replaced. Has been quiet ever since.

I have had the humming sound from unknown location, I read that the luggage rails must be in a certain location when they are not used. If anyone has moved theirs, try placing them like this: front one over the division between the front and rear doors and the rear one all the way to the back. That should stop the humming.

I'm sure that there will be more in the future. I do like the TB for its power and handling. I just wish the service dealers were more thorough and that the design bugs would be dealt with in a manner in which would be covered even if it was out of warranty. They are hitting me for $250 a pop deductible on my extended warranty for each visit.

[MITZA]

When you stated you had a exhaust leak, Do you mind on giving the location? I think I might have the same problem I have been trying to figure it out and cannot locate it.

Also GM needs to get on it and give extended powertrain warrantys like most other manufacturers 5/60 at least. That pisses me off the most with this truck. I have had alot of little stuff happening too much to type

Thanks in advance on the exhaust advise if you could expand on it.

[Nor Cal LTZ]

Originally Posted by MITZA

When you stated you had a exhaust leak, Do you mind on giving the location? I think I might have the same problem I have been trying to figure it out and cannot locate it.

They replaced the complete exhaust gasket where the manifold comes into contact with the block. There is a GM tech bulletin about it somewhere. Just have the dealer search for it and they will have the fix.

[baskerj]

A couple of things:

1) The DIC is not a problem. Here's what you have to do. Scroll through both sets of information until they are both blank. Make sure you do the information set with the mileage as the second one to clear.

2) Chances are its not the car battery but the battery in the computer (which are really just capacitors).

3) I used to have a GrandAm that would just shut off on me...I sympathize for you because its a very insecure feeling.

I had a 2002 VUE (also First Year model like yours). It had a lot of quircky problems. I will never again buy a first year model. Sorry to hear you're having problems.

[MITZA]

Unfortunally my truck is out of warranty so I will have to repair it myself. Its nice they have Tech bulletins because they know theres a problem but will not correct it within a reasonable mileage I have 27K on a 02 and they basically tell me tuff luck. GM I should of kept with the foreign lines.

[Nor Cal LTZ]

The factory warranty is 3 Year / 36K Miles....get it fixed!

[MITZA]

Originally Posted by Nor Cal LTZ

The factory warranty is 3 Year / 36K Miles....get it fixed!

Did you read my post my truck is out of warranty!!! 3/36 sucks. Later

[Nor Cal LTZ]

Your quote of "I have 27K on a 02 and they basically tell me tuff luck" is what I read, I guess I didn't understand how you could be out of warranty. Sorry about that.

[we'll see]

Hi,

We've had NUMEROUS electrical problems with our '02 TB since we bought it in June '02. I've posted a message today that lists the only some of the numerous problems we've had. Our dealership has been good, but after several brand new GM purchases with no problems or complaints, the GM people are not giving us ANY support on these issues. Their attitude sucks!!!
I don't know what your warranty prices are, but I felt I had to purchase an extended warranty, as we were approaching the mileage limit on the original warranty ($3,900 CDN). I feel it's unfair because the problems have been continual and ongoing (22 visits for mostly electrical problems in 30 months) and my truck has been in the shop for over 40 days of that period!!! GM wouldn't extend the original at all.
As far as your remotes go, ours haven't worked at all in the past month and the dealership can't find out what's wrong. The truck's in again now. They replaced the Body Control Module in the rear of the car, and the radio (again) and it STILL isn't fixed. We haven't been able to unlock either the tailgate or glass in the same time. Our rear wiper doesn't work....and on and on...I'm definitely not getting the use out of the vehicle for the money we paid for it.
Don't know a solution to your problem, but boy do I sympathize!!!

[kathygarnerville]

The only quirk I had was with the gas cap. Of course, didn't know for over a year. Turns out that was what was causing my SES light to come on every two months.

Other than that, I LOVED my 03 Trailblazer, I just don't have two good Chevy dealers here in Rockland County NY that I trust to have them serviced at. If I find a really good one in NJ or CT or even Westchester, I'd get one again. They are the best in bad weather

[Nor Cal LTZ]

Here I go again...

Getting ready for some holiday travel, my wife gets in, turns the key and nothing. She then cannot get the key out, cannot shift into nuetral, cannot get anything. I had to jump the truck to get anything to work. The battery checked good, and now it is like nothing ever happened??? I took it to the dealer with my bitch list of stuff that has gone wrong, and they seem to be puzzled by all of the occurances I mentioned. I told them to read their own damn TI's and make the necessary repairs! The tech bulletins pretty much spell out everything that has ever gone wrong, yet they seem oblivious. I hope they get it fixed this time, or it may end up back in their showroom, and I don't mean for sale!

[hoganradial]

I noticed on my 2005, that when you first start it up, everything is dim, and the volts are way down, (11-12) then after a sec or two, there is a clicking noise in the dash area , & everything brightens up. Mine parents 05 TB does the exact same thing.

[MStarr13]

My 02 LS has had plenty O' Quirks. First there is the fuel line coming off the fuel pump, nice little feature fixed under warranty (they did not expand the recall till after this was fixed). Left brake light, gone through 3 complete replaces of the whole unit. about 2 dozen brake lights, ticking under the dash when turned off yet another wondeful feature. Let's see, 4x4 sometimes decides NOT to shift into 4x4 when I turn the knob. O2 sensor was next to welded in when I had to replace, I thought it was funny Chevy wanted $300 to replace, bought the sensor for $75 myself from advance and did it. My grandfather got an 02 LT and he has a longer list especially with the climate control computer which they have replaced twice. Do I feel bad for GM when they say they are going bankrupt? Do I even wonder why? I was a lifelong GM customer until I got this truck. That is going to have to change. From their crap warranties to their lack of customer service, I am done with them.

[Nor Cal LTZ]

I'm right there with you on this one, my 02 TB LTZ is my last GM, or at least Chevy...though I never thought I would say that. My parents have two Escalades, without an ounce of trouble, great dealer customer service, seems to be a great product. Other than the looks of the new Tahoe, I can't say that I am attracted to anything that they have on the product line at the current time...well there is the Corvettes but not a great family car and not in my price range!

Originally Posted by MStarr13

My 02 LS has had plenty O' Quirks. First there is the fuel line coming off the fuel pump, nice little feature fixed under warranty (they did not expand the recall till after this was fixed). Left brake light, gone through 3 complete replaces of the whole unit. about 2 dozen brake lights, ticking under the dash when turned off yet another wondeful feature. Let's see, 4x4 sometimes decides NOT to shift into 4x4 when I turn the knob. O2 sensor was next to welded in when I had to replace, I thought it was funny Chevy wanted $300 to replace, bought the sensor for $75 myself from advance and did it. My grandfather got an 02 LT and he has a longer list especially with the climate control computer which they have replaced twice. Do I feel bad for GM when they say they are going bankrupt? Do I even wonder why? I was a lifelong GM customer until I got this truck. That is going to have to change. From their crap warranties to their lack of customer service, I am done with them.

[Nor Cal LTZ]

Oh, BTW...
After typing this, I am preparing my latest "bitch list" for some old problems not yet addressed, and some new ones. My 02 TB is headed to the dealer once again before the extended warranty expires. Here it is:
1.) <<Third time for this request>> Mirrors never recall to same position twice, even when memory is set.
Cap City Chevrolet (Sacramento, CA) "Ernest Snell" was supposed to call me when new actuators arrived, never heard from anyone.
Replace mirror actuator and reprogram module. Don't replace outside mirror assembly.
Reference Information / Bulletin
02-08-64-021
03-08-64-032
03-08-64-033
04-08-64-021

2.) <<Second time for this request>> Windshield wipers operate, but auto rain sense stopped working. (Fuse 29 & 33 are good)

3.) Possible wiper fluid reservoir cracked / leaking.

4.) DVD player does not always play, or stops during play, sometimes shows "Disk Read Error".

5.) Cruise control not working, no power. (Unable to locate which fuse)

6.) Low howl sound in cab when stopped from moving, turning off a/c or accelerating stops noise. (Only heard at stop)

7.) Intermittent thump sound in rear end when release of brake pressure from a stop. (Springs, rear end?)

8.) Intermittent hop / clunk when backing out of driveway. (See below)
02-04-21-008A; replaces 02-04-21-008; Shudder, Rocking Motion, Binding, Feels Like Vehicle is Stuck in 4WD (Crow Hop) when Turning at Low Speeds (Replace Transfer Case Encode Sensor and Reprogram TCCM); 2002-03 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada

9.) During recent holiday road trip, heard oscillating sound from rear end. Tires are new, and have been inspected / balanced. (See below)
03-04-17-002; Whine Noise From Rear Axle (Diagnose and Replace Rear Propeller Shaft with New Tuned Torsional Damper Rear Prop Shaft); 2002-03 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada with 4.10 Ratio Rear Axle (Standard Short Wheelbase ) (RPO GT5)