On Topic (271) | Off Topic (1) | All (272)
Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-165, 166-180, 181-195, 196-210, 211-225, 226-240, 241-255, 256-270, 271
Adding my experience. I have a 2002 Trailblazer with 80,000 miles and the fan clutch failed a few days ago. It also caused the Serice Engine Soon light to engage, as others have mentioned. After running a web search and reading the comments on this site I had a much better idea of what to expect. I called my local Chevy dealer to see what they said; they quoted me a price of $825 for parts and labor. That price was not including a diagnostic, though I was already 90% sure what the problem was at this point. The gentleman on the other end of the line told me that they hadn't replaced many fan clutches on TrailBlazers. "OK bud. Thanks, goodbye."
I bought a replacement part (Dorman) online for $177. Then went to my local Goodyear repair shop and they put it in for $300. The replacement fixed the roaring fan problem, and I am no longer passed by the elderly in walkers when accelerating from stoplights, a la Office Space. So I got that going for me.
I am the first owner of this vehicle, and this is the first mechanical problem I have had with my fine Chevrolet TrailBlazer in 6 years. So I'm not going to throw them under the bus for this one. I do, however, have issue with a dealership quoting me over $400 for a part that I know I can get for less than half that. A takeway: if you think you're getting ripped off by a shop, you probably are. Get parts on-the-cheap by yourself. But before you buy a part online make sure you have a mechanically-inclined friend or trusted mechanic from a big-box store to do the installation for you.
My 2002 Trailblazer also has the clutch fan problem. It has 125,000 miles on it, and after looking at this website I ordered a new part at zbra for $139.00. Along with a friend, we installed it in about 1 hour by taking out the headlights and loosening up the radiator. The hardest part was pulling the clutch out from behind the shroud that covers the fan. But it was not impossible. With a little knowhow just about anyone can do this. Now I will take it to a local autoparts store and have them run a code check and clear the engine fault for free!! Got it fixed for less than $150.00; not too bad!!
I also have a 2002 TB and this is the second time the fan clutch has gone bad. First time was maybe a year after we got the vehicle, then the roaring started again just a few days ago. Very disappointed. I never had any problems with a chevy until this one. Also my stabilizer bar links are bad, the emblem on the front just fell off and had to get new brakes cause the rotors were real rusty. My friend who is a mechanic for GM said the factory rotors have always had problems getting rusty. Luckily I was able to do the brakes myself.
My 65K 2002 Envoy has the same loud fan clutch that everyone is talking about. I had it checked again by the dealer last month and once again they said it's normal. The thing that's annoying me is because the engine works harder during the problem, it burns more gas than normal. It's really starting to irritate me with gas at $5 billion/gallon. Just from reading the comments from everyone, it looks like GM is losing a lot of unhappy owners to Japanese brands. They either need to man up or at least offer a rebate of some sort. I'm so embarrassed when it's so loud and slow. It's supposed to be a luxury SUV; if it actually took off like a jet, I'd be happier with it. At best it's a useless jet. I tried towing a U-Haul a couple of years ago, and the fan went on. Hahhaha, it was sooo embarrassing I actually started laughing. I really wanted to put it out of its misery.
The funny thing is, besides the fan clutch problem, I love my Envoy. But it really leaves a taste in my mouth. I think I might be losing my hearing too.
I guess I am lucky... my fan clutch lasted over 85,000 miles before it started to roar. After reading so many comments saying this should be a recall item, I, too, am going to file a complaint with the Better Business bureau.
I have a 2006 Trailblazer LS, 42K miles, I bought it brand new, and today there is a noise where the belts are, sounds like bearings going out, not a noise from the belts. The fan has play in it, so I assume it is the fan clutch. The service engine light has yet to come on. I guess I am in the same boat as everyone else on this board.
Well, thanks to everyones posts, I now know what is going on with my 03 Trailblazer...
I have a 2003 Envoy XL that can be added to the "fleet" of loud vehicles on the road. Even if I could drive this vehicle for the next 5 yrs without repairing the clutch fan, it is sooo embarrassing to be driving a $43,000 luxury vehicle that sounds like a potato truck. I miss my Toyota!
Add me to your list of disgruntled owners. My fan is roaring and the "service engine soon" light is on. I've read here that it's more than likely the clutch fan. My question is this... can I drive it for the next few days until I get it replaced? Thanks.
You can email me at lynno62@yahoo.com.
We own a 2002 GMC Envoy with over 148,000 miles on it and we first experienced the fan clutch problem at 80,000 miles. After having it replaced (along with the water pump and the alternator) by the local Chevy dealer the problem went away. Then last year I hit a deer which, along with the bulk of the front end, damaged the fan clutch again. This time it was replaced by the body shop but the problem persisted. After three fan clutches, two wiring harnesses and multiple trips to the Chevy dealer (luckily all under warranty but the dealer never could fix it) I bought one from http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Auto-Parts-Direct-To-You/ for 139.99 plus shipping with a lifetime warranty. It took me a little over an hour to change it with the tools from our local O'Reilly's auto parts store and problem solved again.
Well, I guess my wife's 2004 Trailblazer is also falling victim to the old fan clutch trick. Way to go GM.
I have a 2003 trailblazer and I started hearing this roaring sound when I step on the gas. I cannot afford to even get it fixed. I wonder how long you can drive on this before you have to get this fixed?? I too have had my engine light come on recently and just out of the blue this morning on my way to work it started making that loud noise. If anyone can give me any information on this can you email me at suzzeeeq2000@yahoo.com
Thank You, Susan.
Add me to the list as well. '05 TB just over 47k miles, coming back from vacation and check engine light came on. I was going to drive home and take it to the dealer the next day. However, we did not make it that far. About 30 miles later I lost acceleration and barely made it off the highway to a safe spot. (kids and dog in the car). After paying almost $100 for the tow truck and having to call a friend to drive an hour to pick us up. The dealership called this morning with a bad fan clutch & water pump. only $1147.65. Think I will follow the lead of some others and try the BBB and GM Customer service. Only problem is it does not drive at all and we need a vehicle. I have to pay now and pray for some help later.
2002 Trailblazer. Fan Clutch problem @ 81,000 miles. GM dealer charged $332.79 for part and 5.00 hr labor... Does anyone have a Chilton manual with the official hours to have a fan clutch changed..??
I have a 2002 trailblazer that is coming up on 70k miles. Last year there was a ticking and then my air conditioner fan quit working on the level 5. Had the dealer check it out and they could hear nothing. Then today it clicked a couple of times and now it won't blow on level 1. After reading all the posts on here, am thinking of trading and not opting for repairs.