2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LX from North America - Comments

Additional starter comments...

Sorry GM & Chev Fans... forgot to also support a total recall of the ignition switches on all GM and Chev products with this problem.

Please someone tell me that GM & Chev don't read this stuff? Also, their mechanics surely must go to the net when they can't resolve a problem like this?? Duh!!

We as consumers of their products deserve better service and no crap.

TJC.

I can put my key in an out of the ignition switch but it will not turn at all. The inside lights will come on but that's it. I cannot turn the key at all. Any answers?

I have a 2003 Trailblazer LT. I got in it tonight and a terrible screeching noise was coming from the drivers wheel, it sounded like metal scrapping the pavement but there was nothing there. Forward and backward it did this, and it stopped as quick as it started. Any ideas? Just had brakes put on last month.

Hi,

Found this page while trying to find an answer for our '03 Trailblazer problem. We too have intermittent starting problems. I get in turn the key, lights, radio, everything except power. If we leave it sit for a while, turn the key, it starts right up. Had it to our Chevy dealer. At first they thought it was an ignition switch, but when they were trying to install it, they said things went crazy and it wouldn't start for them. By the time they got the computer hooked back up to it, it started again. They tried it again about 100 times and it started every time. I know it's going to let me sitting somewhere again. Any suggestions at all?

I own a 2003 Trailblazer LT with 60,000kms. For the first few years there weren't any problems but the last two months have brought problem after problem. It's been in the garage 5 times since August, and is waiting to go back in. I have dealt with a lot of the problems listed here, from not starting one minute to starting the next, to the engine and RPMs unexpectedly surging then dropping back, now the latest is the check engine light code is reading as the transmission slipping. And yes, I do that that annoying engine ticking sound from the fan clutch, but have not bothered to fix it.

As for the not starting, I had the ignition switch replaced, that didn't solve the problem. After speaking with several mechanics, including one at GM, I was told this cab typically be an electrical problem. What solved the problem for me was replacing the two wires in the electrical harness that bring power to the ignition. Not sure on the color of the wires in all TBlazers, but in mine these two wires are pink. That might help someone of you as anyone who has looked at the wire harness knows there are a number of wires.

Dealing with GM again now on the check engine light for the transmission, they're saying it could be the torque converter, speed sensor, or a module. This is so frustrating!!

For all it's worth, I'm a single mother of 2, I work very hard for my money, recently purchased a 2004 Trailblazer LT. It had a little over 70.000 miles, I purchased it from a very well established dealership... so I trusted the company...

It's been about 3 months since my purchase, and while entering into a busy intersection, my car just stalled... no power at all... then after holding up traffic for a few minutes it started up... Later that same day it stalled again.

I took it to the dealership the next day, they checked it out, couldn't find anything wrong, thought perhaps it was the regular gasoline I used due to the gas shortages we were having here in ga. so I thought, they are probably right. Well today I jumped in my car and it wouldn't start again, no power at all, my key is stuck in the ignition... and I have to find a way to work tomorrow.

The sad thing is that I have 4 years left in car payments on this vehicle... I seriously would love to sell or trade it, and I've only had it for 3 months!

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Using regular gasoline will not cause your car to stall... ping perhaps if the engine is designed for a higher octane, but not stall. Whoever told you that should have their head examined.

No guarantee, but I would suspect your fuel pump may be the culprit in your stalling/not starting problem. Any way you look at it, it is bad news that your car will not start. But the only redeeming thing about it, is when the car will consistently not start, it is usually easy to find out why not. A fuel pressure check (which takes no more than five minutes to do) should quickly identify if your problem is the fuel pump or not. When a problem occurs intermittently, as was happening before your current situation, it is a lot more difficult.

With the 2003 Trailblazer issue on not starting, I recently purchased mine from an auction. I did have the same issue. Come to find out it was the harness inside the steering column. If your having problems starting it, release the steering column lock and move the wheel into different positions and try starting your vehicle. If you can get the vehicle to start it can be the problem. If the vehicle is running, move the steering column up and down. If your car stalls, then this is your problem. Everything else will stay on, but the car will not run or even turn over unless you move the column to reposition the wire harness to make contact. What was happening is the wires where too short for the harness and started to pull out, if the steering column was not in a certain position the car would not start. I had the harness and the wiring replaced and it works like a charm now.

Hi, I live in Idaho.

I bought a used 2002 Chevy Trailblazer back in 2005. It had one original owner before me. The car ran great for the first couple of months, but as soon as the temp dropped I could not get the darn thing to start! So it was in and out of the shop for what seemed to be all winter long. In the summer it was fine. This went on for 2.5 years.

Finally I think they figured it out; they said the fuse box under the backseat was getting moisture in it somehow, and they replaced it and it makes a little bit of sense because when it was cold it would not start, but when it warmed up a few degrees it would turn over, and once the car would start it ran all day; it was just first thing in the mornings... hope this helps.

The trials and tribulations of my 2003 LT EXT TB: Lets start with the problem that most of you have identified... the key would not turn, but everything else worked. Finally after dealing several times with Chevy/GM dealerships, I took it to an independent mechanic who diagnosed it as "Theft deterrant lock control module park lock assembly" (that is how it is listed on the bill). I haven't had that problem since. However I have replaced the Tensioner (the squeal most of you have heard from under the hood) and the right front hub bearing.

The thing that has me spinning currently is the inoperable condition of my speedometer. I replaced the vehicle speed sensor (really easy to do); the problem went away for about two months, but now the speedometer is again inoperable.

Okay. did anyone fix this problem??? everyone has the problem, but no one has fixed it yet. I also replaced the ignition switch to no avail. anyone know what is wrong with this stupid suv???

I have a 2003 Trailblazer; same problem with not starting sometimes. It is not the ignition switch. One day I left the keys in the car and it locked by itself. I also noticed if the driver side door does not unlock when you put it in park, it will not start the next time that you try to start it.

I also am having the same problems with my 03 Trailblazer. It has not started twice now, with temps. 10*F. I just went out and put the key in and turned over 4 or 5 times and on the last time it started. After that it starts every time. Also having the headlight (burning) problems. And also on occasion the front grinding noise? I think I will look at the Anti-theft. Thanks for the posts. The ignition switch sounds like it will not fix the problem.

We own an '03 Trailblazer EXT --bought used and had no problems for over a year. At least 3 times now, my husband goes to start the truck, and the key won't even turn. The security light does flash. We had it towed the first time, and when the dealer went to work on it, it started right up. So no code for them to look into. Of course, they are obviously aware of the problem but acted like they've never heard of it before.

The 2nd time, it started a couple hours later. This time, it's been 10 hours and no luck yet.

How can I disconnect the anti-theft device? I am scared to drive this vehicle with my kids, and scared to drive it out of town... what if we stop to gas up and it won't start again, and we're stuck? I grew up with all Chevy cars, but this is making me hate them, especially after the government bailout!

Thanks, sh.

I have an 05 Trailblazer and have the same problems as everyone else... it will shut off out of nowhere. Whether I'm driving slow, fast, or turning. I shift it into park and it turns right back on with no problems. This happens about once a month. Also my gas gauge doesn't work at all and the speedometer works occasionally.. I read on another thread to call this number to report your problems!! I called it's Chevrolet's customer service department, they are supposed to return my phone call tomorrow. Their representative was very empathetic. we'll see what happens... the number is 1-800-222-1020...