2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LX from North America - Comments

Thank you all for your comments, I am having the same issue with a '03 Trailblazer not wanting to start, but the lights and radio coming on. I will have the anti theft looked at.

I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer and it just turned 100,000 miles - its had its problems, but today after returning home, it just won't start. Lights work, battery is OK, but nothing. I let it sit for a few hours and tried it again, this time it cranks, but sounds like a hammering sounds and still won't start. Also blower doesn't work on heat or AC, odometer and speedometer don't reset or don't work. Taking to the shop tomorrow.

My 2003 Trailblazer LTZ starts a funny problem every year when it gets cold outside (we live in Utah). 53,000 miles on vehicle. Whenever I need power (for example; passing or getting on the on-ramp) I get a Service Engine Light and a Reduced Engine Power light. Maximum speed she pulls then is around 16 mph. Imagine pulling onto a busy freeway and having this happen.

When I pull over and restart the truck, she runs fine again until I need power. After two shops put their computers on it, they could not fix the problem. Last hope was going to the dreaded dealership service guys with the codes from the other shops (2x diagnostic at $75.00) from the other shops before even getting to the dealership: ouch! The guys had it today for about seven hours and finally tracked the problem down to a "bad APP Sensor" (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor). $345.00 plus labor. First thing I did was check for TSB's on it; nothing. I also checked an aftermarket parts store for the part. I wanted to see how outlandish the dealership price was; $59.00 and change on their site. I am still trying to decide what to do.

The Chevy or GM part # for that sensor is 15150990 (if you may be trying to solve a problem on yours). It hasn't started the dreaded ignition stuff yet, so keep your fingers crossed. If you are looking for that sensor and have the same issues as me, check out www.rockauto.com and punch in the part number you need. I do a lot of Internet research first, and these guys have great reviews from customers whom have purchased parts. I hope this helps. I'm wondering if I buy the part, is it something I can do myself? Any thoughts?

Good luck.

I also have a 2003 trailblazer and am having the same problem with this vehicle. I have owned it for a year now and I also have full power, but it just won't start especially in cold weather. How can we fix the anti- theft device and keep this from happening again?

Starting problems are very perplexing. Wife has a 1998 Grand Prix GT. It started the "not cranking" symptom. It doesn't have anti theft system. I did the following:

1) new starter

2) new battery connections

3) new ignition key, advice from dealer

4) fiddled with shifter to eliminate neutral lockout

5) replaced relays and fuses

6) tilted steering wheel hundreds of times to attempt to recreate, seemed to affect, but not consistent

7) fiddled with the solenoids by the ignition switch and the console

8) removed steering column cover and fiddled with wires.

Found the yellow wire from the ignition switch down the column was the culprit. Either the connector at the lower end of the cable from the ignition switch or the yellow wire itself is broken. I googled ignition switch wiring and found a diagram of the ignition switch wiring in a anti-theft or remote start product. That led me to the yellow wire.

Amazing there is so much confusion regarding the diagnosis and isolation of the Trailblazer starting problems. My daughter has a Trailblazer and so far no problems except the old check engine light because of a bad gas cap. I'm looking here to anticipate other issues.

There needs to be a procedure developed by someone to isolate a no-start problem. The real problem in my case was the intermittent symptom, the GP would not fail every day, but just once in a while and it would start if we kept turning the key to the start position over and over.

At this point in time if our GP fails we just move the yellow wire and she starts right up. My next step is to wait for warmer weather and maybe cut the yellow wire and replace it or first remove the cable connector and inspect the continuity through the connector and inspect the wire connections to the connector. I hate to have the ignition switch replaced $275 by the dealer.

I WOULD BE REAL CARE-FULL WORKING ON THE WIRING ON THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE IF YOU TRIGGER THE AIR BAG IT MAY KILL YOU, BY BREAKING YOUR NECK. THIS HAS OCCURRED!!!

I have a 04 Trailblazer and same thing has just happened to me. I was turning the corner and all of a sudden the service light and reduced engine power light came on. I have been reading up on this for the past couple of days before I take it to a mechanic or a dealer where we all know they'll end up costing us a fortune in labor for something that probably takes ten minutes. But I was wondering if any of you know if putting in a new APP Sensor will solve the problem..?? Thank You!

I also have an 04 Trailblazer LS. My service engine/Reduced power has been going on the last two weeks. At first I was told it was the fan clutch, with an approx. cost of $500 for the part alone. Then I was told it was the throttle body. The weird thing is they told me the OB computer would at times not capture the error that occurred so when they would hook-up a reader, there was nothing to read. I have read almost every forum out there that had people changing the Throttle body, Fan Clutch, the Brain, the Pedal Sensor, OB computer reprogrammed and finally, patching a chaffed wire. These are commonalities I have seen on all the forums, but with no pin point resolution. In all the above cases, they were either temporary fixes or the solution never worked. Has anyone had the above situation where the Service Engine/Reduced power lights come on and the engine power drops to 1/4 the horsepower, if not more, and has had a fix that actually worked? I have even read that people were pursuing the lemon law, but I just don't have the time or the money on a case that may not go in my favor. Any comments or suggestions (I know, get a new car) would be appreciated.

I have a 03 Trailblazer LTZ with the same problem and my best friend who also owns one that is same year with almost same miles is also having the problem. I realize all vehicles are going to have some problems from time to time, but this is crazy. I have owned the car for less than a year and already I have had to deal with multiple problems other than it not starting. I have to try and get it into a shop tomorrow and I will try what you guys are saying; thanks for all the help. The next truck I buy will not be a chevy.

I too own a 2003 trailblazer. I have had all the same problems, except nothing on my car starts when the battery is dead- no radio, lights, etc. I had the ignition switch replaced as there was a "bulletin" put out by GM to their service department- this wasn't for our eyes, but my mechanic copied it for me. I called GM to complain and see why it wasn't a recall- had part replaced for free, but not the labor as I took it somewhere other than a GM service station. Had a new battery replaced, car still keeps dying. The keys won't even come out of the ignition when this happens. I have my car at a GM service center now for 4 days, they can't find out the problem. I am going to have them check the anti-theft system as many people keep mentioning this could be the problem.

I just bought a 2004 LS Trailblazer with 52k miles.

Drove it home from the lot, about 75 miles and drove great. Let it sit out side last night (below zero temps) and didn't want to start for me this morning. Lights Radio Blower all come on just fine, turn the key and get one click and that's it.

Doesn't turn over, I tried it for about 10 minutes this morning and when it did turn over started right up. I tried 2 quick times over lunch to start it and nothing yet.

My thoughts there was a dead spot in the starter and I've talked to the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and he suggested getting it in a garage to warm up and then see if it does it after that. If I find anything new I will let you all know. I've seen similar issues with dead spots in starters and also the ignition switch.

Thanks for all the info posted here.

I too have a 03 used Trailblazer, and I was backing out of a parking spot and tried to put it in drive, and the car turned off and I put it back in park and tried to start it, but nothing. Then we tried to push it out of the way, and the gear was locked in park, and I had to get it towed to my home.

Like everyone says, the radio lights work and none of the gauges work, and the car will not crank. I have also changed the battery and still nothing. We have had it since May of 07 and this happened 3 days ago! For the first time.

I'm curious as to why General Motors Corp. isn't responding to these issues raised regarding the Trailblazer "no start" problems. I own a 2003 Trailblazer and have encountered the "no start" issue. I have replaced the battery and ignition switch. The car will be fine for a period of time and then no ignition. Everything else works. My mechanic, who is extremely experienced, can't figure it out. If it is the anti-theft device, can that be repaired or replaced? My car now has about 90,000 on it and, when it is running, works well. It is the reliability and safety factor that I am concerned with because that is the family vehicle. Runs to basketball, school, scouts, etc. Where is Chevy and GM! This is a major issue. Is GM going to wait until someone is killed when the car shuts down on a major highway and then respond to the problem?

I own a 2004 Trailblazer with 81,000 miles on it. On Jan 1, 2008, it just didn't start. Since then, it has gone down 5 times or about every 2 weeks. I haven't taken it to the dealership yet because of "fear of the cost".

Well obviously it's now sitting in my garage here in Wisconsin, yes it's cold, and the car refuses to turn over. Lights, radio, & controls work, but the vehicle refuses to start. Up until January 1st of this year, I had nothing, but good words for the Trailblazer, now I'm wondering.

I plan to hook up a heater in my garage here in a few minutes, maybe it will start, ha ha. I don't want to beat up GM just yet. I owned a brand new BMW for 2 1/2 years and that car was in the shop every 90 days. $365.00 for a brake job etc... So keep the faith with GM, good or bad it's our fellow citizens who need the jobs right now more than ever.

Japanese cars also break down. I had a Corolla that never worked, so have some faith in GM before they go bankrupt.

Hello again: The 2004 Trailblazer here in Wisconsin has been towed to the local Chevy dealer. I just received a phone call from them wanting $485.00 to replace the starter, yeah $485.00. $315 for the part, $90 for labor, and $45 for the tow, plus taxes.

Most of you out there can get this done for a lot cheaper if you do it yourself. After market starters run about $110.00 to 130.00 before shipping etc.

Look at the warranty also. Chevy is giving me a 12-month 12,000 mile warranty. The tow charge is on me and the labor charge isn't too bad, but the starter charge is crazy. If I had the time I would do it myself.

Beware, my wife worked for GM/Chevy for a couple of years. If you don't ask them about a recall they won't cough it up and will take your money. ASK ASK ASK about recall.

Additionally do not buy a rebuilt starter unless you get a warranty. Rebuilt starters are good for hobby cars, but not for cars that must start when it's -15 and you have a child in the car. Don't chance it.

The biggest problem we have in getting our cars fixed is the fact we don't go down a list of questions before we commit to the fix. Ask a million questions if you must its your money and they know it. If you take two hours to make up your mind then take it.

I'm glad I found these posts. I have a 2002 and currently have the same no start problems as described here: battery works, but won't start. I just had it at the dealership last week for some valve/gas cap service engine light problems. Then the very next time I try to drive it, dead. Now my question is how do I shift this out of park? It is in my garage a the the top of a steep driveway. Will the tow truck driver know how to do this? According to the manual there should be an orange lever next to to the shifter to unlock it, but there is nothing down in there.