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I purchased my 2003 Trailblazer new in January 2003. I currently have 59,700 miles on it and now I am experiencing the "dump truck" sound being discussed in this forum.
It began years ago as a ticking sound that only happened occasionally. The dealer explained that this was the engine communicating with the fan to obtain a proper speed and was normal for this vehicle. I remember thinking that was a big fat lie, but it didn't seem to affect anything so I let it go.
As time went on, the ticking became more frequent until recently when it became near constant (and more than mildly annoying). Finally, last weekend the clutch went and I now have a jet turbine under my hood.
On a positive note, I don't hear the ticking sound while it's happening. I'm going to attempt to replace it myself with the assistance of my most mechanically talented friend. I purchased a Dorman replacement clutch from Autozone for $137 (price matched rockauto.com). I will post the results of my experiment for your benefit.
For the most part this has been a good vehicle; only minor issues thus far. My wife drives a Honda Accord and it has performed flawlessly. While my experience may not be statistically valid, it does provide anecdotal evidence that the Japanese are still better at building vehicles.
Mission accomplished! The new fan clutch fixed the problem. No more ticking either. Getting to the fan clutch was a pain, but changing it was quite easy. Basically, you need to remove the fan shroud which requires a lot of work. I recommend you have a Dremel at the ready. We had to cut the shroud near the bottom to get it out. The whole process took about four hours.
I found this link to be very detailed and helpful: http://reviews.ebay.com/Envoy-Trailblazer-Electonic-Fan-Clutch-Replacement-Help_W0QQugidZ10000000003639613.
Good luck!!!
I had the same problem with my 2002 Trailblazer,88,000 miles, it sounded like a 18 wheeler. Had a problem with fan clutch. Took it to the dealership, the repair estimate was over 700.00. Call customer service for Chevrolet to see if they would pay half the cost of repairs due to the number of fan clutch failures posted. Of course they were not aware of any problem with fan clutch failures and denied my request. Went to O'Rielys got lifetime warranty with clutch for 199.00 and paid 80.00 to have installed.
Mesquite, Tx
I have an 04 trailblazer LT. I bought this vehicle because it is suppose to be the most reliable. in the past three weeks I have had 3 things go on me. I'm starting repair work tomorrow. I have to replace my heater core... i have a sweet smelling syrup coming out of my dash when I use my front defroster, my fan clutch is ticking in idle.. that will have to be the last to be replaced, and the thingy at the top of my gas tank has a bad weld job and has cracked leaving me with gas fumes coming from my vehicle. this part is replaced for free for 02 trailblazers, but not newer ones. it will cost over a thousand to have it replaced. instead I bought gas tank putty and will attempt to repair it with that. I have children so I hope it works. the cheaper I can fix these issues the better financially it will be for me.
SCREWED!!! do not buy an OEM replacement fan clutch, your putting the same clutch back on that already went out on you, AC DELCO is the same exact clutch as the original, fortunately I know an honest mechanic who's been around for 30 years, he's advised me to change it myself. I found the part on Ebay for $125 with a lifetime replacement warranty, I found very specific installation instructions on the web, and borrowed the fan hub wrench from the same mechanic, (you can get one @ autozone or O'reily's free loan-a-tool) I have more than your typical "changin-my-own-sparkplugs" mechanics experience, but anyone with a little time can do this! 2 1/2 hours tops. My '02 LTZ has 118,000 miles and has made numerous trips to the GM dealership only to be told, "I don't hear nuthin!" Obviously theres a major design problem, from an inside source I heard the same dealership that couldn't hear my clutch issue has replaced 23 fan clutches in 2007 on the Envoy/Trailblazer! wake up General Motors, I've been a die hard GM fan all my life and I've been driving since I was 10 years old, no joke! within 2 weeks of replacing the clutch the front hub bearing in the water pump went out and it was directly related to the fan clutch issue, service engine light continues to present itself quite frequently even since I replaced the clutch & waterpump, mechanic say's this is due to piston slap! How do you get piston slap in an engine with only 118,000 miles? I'll tell you how...SCREWED!!! boooo inline 6.
Just posted SCREWED, here is the link to get installation instructions http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_change_a_fan_clutch_on_a_2002_Chevy_Trailblazer_LT
I did it in about 1 hr and 50 min.
Ah yes, I too am a sucker. I just bought a 03 Envoy, which has 65000 miles. Can anyone tell me if this is covered under the new GM certified vehicle plan? I know it is under some kind of warranty, just not sure if it is covered in this plan? It is going to the shop where I bought it. Thanks for the help.
I too am a sucker - I have a 2002 TrailBlazer.
Fan clutch went out $1100 to repair. Called GM to complain and the customer service kid hung up on me when I asked for a manager. Called back and have been on hold for about 20 minutes GM!!! You suck - I can't believe after years of postings and complaints they haven't fixed this problem. We need a class action law suite so we can get our money back on these repairs! GM has screwed Americans that believed in them.
I will never buy a GM truck - this is my last one. I have owned 4 counting this one (SUVs & Trucks) and will never ever buy them, just like I swore off Ford when the trannie went out 2 different times in one year. GM go to hell.
The parts about $400 bucks, but I live way out in the boonies and the only Chevy dealer wants $700 in labor including the diagnostic. My SUV has 75,000 miles on it and she's out of warranty of course. Good luck to you all when this happens to you - it seems that it's going to happen if you want it to or not :)
Like everyone else on this forum, it started out as a ticking noise on my 2003 Trailblazer LTZ, and I was quite shocked that the service manager didn't notice it on several visits when it was actually ticking pretty loud while waiting. I'm very disappointed in GM and several calls to them can prove my disappointment, (one guy hung up on me when he said he would transfer me to a manager) called 1-800-462-8782 - GM Customer Assistance Center and got the run around..
Okay so last night my 2003 TrailBlazer started to also sound like a jet engine... and then all of a sudden my check engine soon light came on... I started to think what is wrong; I bought the truck a year ago, it's my first and last American car. I have a 2002 Lancer that has only had wear and tear go wrong with it.. this is crap... I am going to go shop around to and find the best price to get the issue resolved, and then I am thinking to trade it in. I do not want a truck that is going to keep costing me to repair... Love the ride, but being a single mom, I need a truck that is not going to break down every other day...
At least after reading the pages of posts, I know 1. what it wrong with my truck, and 2. how to go about handling the situation. I needed to be prepared and go with some knowledge behind me seeing as though I am woman :O...
TB 747. I just bought this from a dealer 2 months ago with 46000 miles on it. I went to a dealer and he offered 372 dollars. Pretty good, huh. Well compared to the other people it is any way.
Here's the problem; I'm 18 and just about to go to collage and the Blazer wiped out all my savings. A good deal doesn't matter if you don't have any money to pay it.
I will be calling GM and Chevy and any one else I can think of. I also will be referencing this site. Even with this experience though, I don't think I'll be swearing off American made cars.
My last car was a 1986 Olds Delta 88, and I loved that car. It wouldn't quit and all the problems were things I could fix myself inexpensively. No, I think the problem is that they don't make quality cars like they used to. Keep in mind all that computer crap they put in vehicles today. More things to go wrong, I guess.
Well, I guess I'm mad because I can't fix everything like I used to. Thanks for listening and make sure to call in to GM to get this problem recalled!!!
My 2003 TB with 52,300 miles just started the terrible revving noise everyone is talking about. This revving has occurred in the past only for a few minutes then would return to normal. Not this time. It would be nice to have at least a portion of the repairs paid by GM. I'll be calling the dealer for repairs wish me luck!
Wow, reading this thread is a little disheartening. I just thought I'd look up my truck for fun to see if there were any common problems. I just bought my 2002 TB a couple years ago and haven't heard a jet engine sound, so I'm hoping the previous owner already had it fixed! LOL But I did just take it in to have the AC Compressor unit replaced cause it was making an AWFUL racket with the A/C on or off, quite embarrassing to drive around in. Now... I feel like a shadow in the night ;) I also have some sort of muffler problem where some bolts snapped off so I have to get them replaced to stop a ticking noise. Should be about a $300 touch. Just thought I'd share. I really do love my truck.
I have had a fan clutch problem in the past week. Cost to repair was $724.00. I have since filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, contacted GM, and filed a complaint with the NHTSA. The day after I filed everything GM called me three times in one day. I had to send in all the supporting documentation. I am waiting to see what they say. I will keep everyone posted.
An Update: Today I was contacted again by GM. I have to say they were very professional and called my about 6 times over a week period. As a result of my Better Business Bureau complaint they offered to pay half the cost...362.16. I'm not happy with paying anything but I do think half is fair. My Trailblazer has 71,000 miles on it so the part was by far not new. I strongly urge anyone with this problem to immediately file a complaint online with the Better Business Bureau. Half of the cost is better than nothing, which is what you will get by doing nothing. I do agree with the others that his should be a recall.