Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

pepper50

where do you find your color code?

There is a page at paintscratch.com that tells where to look for the color code for different makes of vehicle. For the TB and Envoy I believe it should be in the glovebox. You will see a lot of codes for various components that were installed in your vehicle. You can also enter your vehicle and year on their site and it will show you all the colors for that year; but be sure the color coe shown on their site matches the color code for your vehicle by checking the glovebox. They warn you not to order by color name alone. And when they send you the paint, they include a little silver square thing for you to test it on before you apply it to your car. I also practiced applying paint on some scrap metal so I could learn how to control the flow and amount first. If you have any question about color before you order, you can email them. Good luck!

pepper50

Texas does not decide the price of oil. The price of oil is determined largely by a cartel based on their amount of production and their ability to increase and decrease it at will. This determines the supply. Texas does not pump enough to control world supply. The oil futures market is what determines the price, based on the amount of speculation and advanced purchase contracts. One reason gasoline is more costly is that no new refineries have been built in the USA since 1976 thanks to certain groups, and the same environmental groups have required refineries to shut down several times a year to change to seasonal formulations, etc. Environmentalists for years have wanted $3/gallon gasoline to decrease driving.

Tennessee decided the last election. The Gores, as you recall, got their fortune from Occidental Oil, where his father worked as a lawyer for years for Armand Hammer. Some of Occidental largest properties are in Libya and S. America. In the 1990s Gore also allowed Occidental to purchase the Naval Elk Hills Oil Reserves at below-market price without any competitive bid whatsoever, while Occidental's South American division is displacing and destroying the indigenous Uwa tribes in Colombia. No wonder Tennessee knew how to vote.

tidester

I rest my case! :-)

tidester, host

ficuss

ok ok, but admit it, this is more interesting than exhausts and filters

tidester

ok ok, but admit it, this is more interesting than exhausts and filters

I am strenuously resisting making any comparisons of exhaust (hot air) and filters (spin) with politicians! Oops! :-)

BTW - did you check out any of those other forums I suggested?

tidester, host

elvis23

Please stop talking about talking about politics. If you wish to talk about that, please go to an appropriate forum. I believe this Forum is about "Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada". Now, if you want to talk about the Pistons, that would be okay. I believe there may be an issue with them in the 2002 inline 6 engines.

ficuss

you're good, no visits to other forums yet, I do have to work sometimes.

BTW, add vent visors to my list of uninteresting topics, they should be discussed on the accessories and modifications forum.

tidester

Now, if you want to talk about the Pistons, that would be okay.

Please! Basketball is also off topic! ;-)

tidester, host

previousamigo

Has anyone noticed a grind or vibration in their steering wheel? I've noticed it more on my '02 TB LS 4X4 since I'm pulling a double wide PWC trailer now. It almost feels like the gas pedal vibration but more "grindy" in the steering wheel. I also feel it mostly when I'm turning a corner or pressing on the break. I did a search but couldn't find anything like this regarding the triplets I have 33,600 miles and have not had an alignment or wheel balance. I do rotate the tires every 10,000 miles. It almost feels like there is a bad ball bearing somewhere in the steering column.

cirdan

Anyone have problems with an inaccurate external temp display? Mine's been acting up, frequently showing a temperature that's just wrong. On a length road trip it finally went really haywire, once counting down to -26 degrees before I stopped it. Now it's fixed on 50 degrees, and rarely moves (it's in the 80's here).

Questions are:
1) Anyone know about this and how to fix it?
2) What is it impacting. When the display drops really low, my a/c seems to let up. (I have had the a/c problems covered frequently on this board, so that may be unrelated.)
3) I'm out of warranty, does it need to be fixed?

raleigh

I'm a new Envoy owner and plan to upgrade the suspension with the Eibach spring kit and Hotchkis sway bar, but I see (thanks to this site), that Bilstein now offers heavy duty shocks for the Envoy. According to Shockwarehouse, the difference between the HD shocks and the ones that come on the Envoy is the valving -- it's softer on the shocks from GM. Question: Has anyone installed the new HD Bilsteins ... and have they made any noticeable difference? Many thanks for a great forum.

dragonhead08

I just had this problem fixed the problem is that sometimes you couldnt hear it. Turned out the dealer replaced the whole steering rack. Hope that helps

ross1962

I noticed that the shock and suspension upgrades tend to focus on lowering the vehicle.
What I would really like to do is to firm up the ride a bit without changing the ride height at all.
Does anyone know of a way to do this? would just stiffer shocks do it, or would I need new springs, anti-sway bars, etc?
I'm getting tired of the soft "Buick" ride of my TB. I really miss the good old days of leaf springs.

bobfish

Do you have a 2WD or 4WD Envoy I looked at the springs at Tire Rack and they were just for the 2WD model.I own a 2004 Envoy 4 W D and would like better handling. Could I just replace the rear springs to get a better handling SUV or do I have to replace the front springs as well?

raleigh

I saw the same thing on Tire Rack's web site and called them. They confirmed it was just for 2 WD. Then I called Eibach and they have just issued a recent update bulletin showing that their spring kit fits BOTH 2 and 4 WD. Tire Rack is behind the eight ball. As to your question, Bobfish, sure you could just upgrade the rear, but why would you want to? Shocks and springs are made to work together. The Eibachs lower the vehicle approximately 1 1/2 inch. Obviously, if you lowered just the rear, it is going to mess up the whole vehicle dynamics. I think what we all want is to get rid of that floaty, sea-sick ride and firm up the handling. The Eibachs should do that -- along with the HD Bilsteins and Hotchkis rear sway bar.

raleigh

Hi TMarkb2 - I plan to go the same route you did. Do you have 2 or 4 WD ... and do you mind telling me what you were charged to have the shocks, springs and sway bar installed? Many thanks.

4runner10

Had this problem twice and good luck. It's the actuator and your entire interior front end needs to be removed to get at it. My Trailblazer was on the floor of the dealer for 2 weeks 6 months ago. It just started up again last week. When you start your SUV you get a clicking noise (about 5 of them) that's coming from behind the dash.

tblazed

"Obviously, if you lowered just the rear, it is going to mess up the whole vehicle dynamics."

I can speak from experience having done that. I installed the Ground Force rear-only springs that leveled my TB, lowered it about 1 1/2" at the rear wheel well opening, also installed the Hotchkis rear stabilizer bar & front-rear bushing kit, and making these changes made a HUGE improvement in the handling characteristics and "dynamics". It is amazing just how good it handles now.

Here's a link to my old post when I did the springs. tblazed Jan 11, 2004

Now have no desire whatsoever to replace the shocks with anything firmer. No need. No rocking bouncy motion any more, no sense of rolling in corners, still maintains almost all of the original ground clearance.

mytrip2

I am starting to hear one click behind the dash on startup. What does this actuator control?

scottc454

The Hotchkis sway bar kit is your answer.

http://www.hotchkis.net/cgi-bin/EDCstore.pl?user_action=detail&am- p;catalogno=2272

I recently put it on my Trailblazer and now it's just about perfect. It makes a big difference. At first, it seemed a bit too stiff. Now I either have gotten used to it or the polyurethane bushings have broken in some.

twinrotts

Start reading message 14566 forward. There are several folks speaking about the External Temp gauge. It does have an impact on A/C for Tripletts with climate control.
BTW: Mine goes in 6/21 to diagnose the problem
I will post results

tmarkb2

Sorry for the delay in getting back to the forum guys.

My '03 Envoy is 2WD. As I remember, the only concern TireRack had when I ordered the Eibachs was whether or not I had the electronic rear suspension. I think they'll work with 2 or 4WD.

Raleigh, I did the Hotchkis kit myself and a buddy with a garage and lift helped me install the springs and shocks/struts. Also, I just picked up the new Bilsteins today and am eager to get them on. The stock Bilsteins allow about one "jounce" too many on the dampening and I'm sure the new ones will take care of that.

BTW, you definitely want to do all 4 corners. If you stiffen the rear too much and end up having to make a quick move at highway speeds, you'll "noise-over" on one of the front corners and possibly spin out, especially in rain, snow/ice conditions.

4runner10

I'm not sure but the dealer said a few months ago that mine was the first the dealer has seen. After looking at this forum it seems to be a very big problem.

n7don

Where did you get the Bilstein's? I've seen p/n's listed but their site still shows them as "under development".

kgbkahnk

.....or in my case, is that "Moron A/C issues"?

Regardless, I dropped my TB off at the service dept on Saturday morning to have several issues looked into. I had been planning to wait until my next oil change to have the wandering mirrors addressed (2nd time), the hard 1-2 upshift (2nd time), and the external A/C temp getting stuck (1st time).

However, on Saturday a.m, I was out running around, and after stopping at one store, I restarted and behold! No stereo volume adjustment for about a mile. Then, POP, only had Wide Open Volume for about 1/2 mile. Then, POP again, and no stereo sound at all. Everything else seems to be working correctly, just no sound. Well, I refuse to live until my next oil change without music, so I went immediately to the Chevy service dept. I'll let you all know what the diagnosis turn out to be. Fortunately, it hadn't "cured" itself prior to getting the dealer, so I was able to show the service rep. At least I won't get the dreaded "unable to duplicate" response.

tjcishere1

Hello all i haven't been to active on here in a while i guess thats a good thing,anyway i have about 28,000 miles on the truck running good. Almost time for the fuel filter change. My one problem and i would like to know how many other have this problem is scratches in the door glass, it seems to me that dirt is getting caught between the weather stripping and the window and when u m bring the window down u hear a scraping sound and then i look and i have a scratch. the dealer has replaced the divers window once but i have it happening to the rear and passenger windows too. thanks for the feed back

raleigh

The new Bilstein HDs are available from Shockwarehouse.com. The order numbers are:
BE5A333HO and
BE5A335HO

They are priced at $64.95 each. Shipping is $17.

pete2002

My A/C actuator went bad this weekend. Just got it back from the dealer this afternoon. They were pretty fast in getting it done. The mode actuator controls the location where your A/C flows. Your selector switch controls this actuator. In my case, it started to make taps at start up and when I placed the mode selector at the 12 o'clock position, it would start tapping relentlessly. This was my second time it went bad. The first time was around 20K plus. My standard warranty will expire in 300 miles for me now. I am still fuzzing over other items but will have to leave for my extended warranty to pick up since the other thing I am fuzzing about has not technically broke yet. I suppose if you want a TB you got to live with the bad items until you get rid of it. GOOD LUCK to all, hope you have a good vehicle, if not, protect yourselves cause it will get expensive.

rainers

I have had my windows up front rattel for a year now. Everytime I take it to the dealer they just lubricate the tracks and claim its fixed. It does'nt last more than a day. While driving down the road if I hit little or big bumps the drivers and passenger sides rattel. Has anyone had the same problem? Is there a fix? Please help me I'm rattled.

piotrpramowski

My wife drives our 03 Envoy XL 90% of the time. Her remote “1” is set for key entry. When I enter the car and press the driver 2 memory button 50% of the time it will not respond to my setting, in fact at that point driver 1 and enter/exit buttons no longer function. This has been an intermittent problem for me that I just can’t duplicate it at the dealer (bad luck). Has anyone seen this or have any advice for me?

dave327

I have an 03 TB EXT and was wanting to add a GM certification extended warranty on to it. it has 5000 miles and I am the second owner. I know the GM dealer will be more than happy to sell me a certified warranty but I have heard if your not careful you can end up paying a lot more than what you need to pay. basically the dealer will try to gouge you for well over $2,000 if you let him. I was just curious what some of you have paid extra for your GM cert? Im aware that some of you used it as a bargaining chip to get the car to begin with,, but have any of you had to buy it after you already owned the vehicle? and what did it set you back? thanks

adamjeeps

Dave, see message # 14687.

wxman4

It sounds very much like a problem I have. I never have trouble with response to either remote. However, at times the door buttons themselves are just "dead". They won't move anything, beep, reset the memory position or even illuminate with the lights. It seems to be an all or nothing situation. Yes, I had it looked at by dealer just yesterday when in for the fuel fill/spit, fix. Could not duplicate problem.

Good luck
Wxman

hardhawk

I just added an additional 36 months and 36,000 miles of GM Majorguard with 0 deductible to my 2002 Envoy with 35,750 miles. The list price was $1545 and I paid $1000. First vehicle in my life I have gotten an extended warranty for, but with all the minor glitches, just felt that it would be prudent. I love my Envoy but have no doubt I will get my money's worth out of the extended warranty.

ross1962

Thanks much. How does it feel stiff? Just when cornering, or also when going over bumps, etc?

scottc454

Yes, it is definitely worse when going over bumps, but not unbearable. I guess you can't have it both ways.

I hear the 2004's have a bigger rear sway bar. You could probably get one of those along with its corresponding rubber bushings for a middle of the road solution.

twinrotts

Had my 02 EXT in for sporatic external temp gauge, drivers sideview wandering mirror, and a blownbackup rear left lamp.
Took 2 days with free loaner.
The claimed fix for the ext sensor was a grille mounted sensor. Received my now second mirror actuator, and the blown bulb was really a bad circut board.
Need to give the ext sensor a few short cycle restarts to see if they really fixed it or not.
This was all still under the Generals checkbook, but I found it interesting that if I would have been paying, total would have been approx $160

raleigh

Sounds like you got a great deal Hardhawk. Mind telling us where you got it ... and how? Did you have to beat someone over the head?

ficuss

All this talk of cheap extended warranties from GM regardless of miles on the odo has me a little angry. I purchased the GM Major Guard when my 2002 TB had 4200 miles on it. This was on Dec. 2001. I paid $1570.00 for the plan. Now I am told by others here that you can buy the plan for any vehicle up to the original factory warranty miles, in this case 36,000. Additionally, the mileage and time term ADDS to the original time and miles. This does not make sense. I called the good people at GM Protection Plan 1-800-981-4677 and was told that yes, since Oct. 2003 you can now buy an extended plan that adds to the original miles and time, BUT that the price for the plan is $2580.00 if you have less than 24,000 miles and $4750.00 if you have more than 24,000 miles. Who is correct? Hardhawk, I would like to believe you, can you provide more information here. If there is this much disparity in pricing, someone should be held accountable. Are there any lawyers out there? I smell a class action here.

Frank

adamjeeps

I too purchased a Major Guard 4 yr 72000 mile plan 0 deductible for 2003 TB. Now I've got a bumper to bumper warranty until 6/11/08 or 95,950 miles for a total of $1,548 including a processing fee (I now have 23,950 miles on her). I went through Black in PA as posted earlier. It is best in my opinion to wait until just before 24,000 miles to buy so you can use that price group.

mookie14

Can someone give me some feedback on message 14174 could use the feedback thanks.

hardhawk

I am a lawyer. I went to the Black GM site on the web and got their price. I then went to my local dealer where I bought the Envoy and told them I was going to get the warranty and gave them the Black site price. Black actually charges more because you pay no sales tax if you don't live in PA. I told my local dealer what I could get the warranty for and told him I would rather buy it from him. He sold it to me for $1,000, which was cheaper than Black's price but I did have to pay sales tax, which brought it up to the Black price. The dealer's cost for the plan I bought is $915. My dealer told me he wouild rather make $85 than 0. I win because I got it locally and will not have to call Black in PA every time I need service.(If you read the sample copy of the actual contract note that it requires you to call the dealer that sold you the warranty before getting the service done-what a hassle) The dealer makes a little something, and I will continue to maintain fierce loyalty to the local dealer and buy my cars there as well as send others there.

tidester

I think you meant #14714

Can anyone help mookie out? Thanks!

tidester, host

redvett97

Before my warranty expired (35,500 miles) I took the car in and complained about noise from the front suspension area. Whenever I went over bumpy roads or hit the breaks a creaking sound can be heard. The dealership said they replaces the bushings on the car and most of the noise went away. Seven thousand miles later the noise is back louder then ever. This noise was more persistant during the winter but now regardless of the weather the noise from the suspension area is loud regardless of the temp. outside. Has anyone else had a problem like this? I was also thinking of calling Chevy and telling them that I took the car in and now with less the 7k miles after the supposed repair the problem is back and therefore even if I dont have a warranty they should repair the car without any expenses to me. Anyones help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

raleigh

I just bought a new 2004 Envoy and got a heavy pitch from the dealer about the need for undercoating ... what sounded like a coack and bull story about the factory no longer doing zinc-dip rust proofing because of environmental concerns and cost. What's the story? Has anyone had this done? My understanding was that additional rustproofing was totally unnecessary and a waste of money on cars built within say the last 10 years. Appreciate any thoughts.

dave327

I know there are various extended warranties you can get through your GM dealer. Generally in the past I have owned Cadillacs which the dealer Certified to a full 6 years or 100K miles. Does GM not do this same coverage for their other brands. I know they certify their vehicles, but is a TB certification more limited than the ceritifcation of 6/100K they use for Cadillacs? If you go onto a dealers lot and see a TB you like and its already certified how long is the certification?

scottc454

Do not pay for undercoating!

When a salesperson tells you they no longer do this at the factory, just say "well Ford says they do this. I think I'll go get an Explorer"

The undercoating is and always has been a total waste. If it makes you feel better to spray tar all over your truck, you can save lot of money by just buying a few cans of the stuff yourself.
You can't tell me they do much better of a job. I've seen cars with that undercoating done and it's a mess.

tblazed

If mookie will email me directly maybe I can help him find the info about the mods he is asking about.

ficuss

The dead horse is back for more beating. I just called my chevy dealer in Illinois and was told that for a less then 24 k mile 2002 Chev. 4wd TB the major guard plan for 5 yrs and 75 k miles with zero ded. is $3115.00. The same plan with $100 ded is $2580.00
 A 5 yr 50 k mile plan is $1610 with a $100 ded. and $1855.00 with a zero ded.
 Where are the class action lawyers when you want them?

hardhawk

Go to www.gmoutlet.com for Black's web page. I had to educate my dealer on the warranty issue too. In Oct of 2003 they changed the program on the "used" vehicles and at the end of March 2004 they lowered the class category for the triplets in the warranty book from class 4 to class 3. I educated the dealer on the right class and the fact that for my Envoy the miles and months are added to the miles and date the warranty is purchased, not the original in service date like it used to be for all cases and still is if the vehicle has less than 12 months and 12000 miles on it. For me, it was best to wait until 35 months and 35750 miles had passed. I bought an additional 36 months and 36000 miles of 0 deductible GM Major Guard coverage. It is very confusing and most of the dealers are not up to speed on it. Black's is and now my local dealer is as well.