2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LX from North America - Comments

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.