Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

imadad2

I got it. I just was not waiting long enough for it to kick in. Actually, there is a "R" on the knob next to the shifter. I turned my knob to "R" and waited. After about 10 seconds, the 3rd row A/C kicked on. The 2nd row did not. I really don't like how that works. I plan on talking to the dealer about it when I get my first oil change. Thanks for all the replies.

sostrouble

I have the pulsing brake problem and low pedal and I only have 23,000 miles on my 02 envoy. Now the back passenger side rear brake is squealing when braking. I would take it to the dealer, but they are on strike here in St. Louis, have been for 10 weeks. They said that I am scheduled and they will call me as soon as they go back to work. Any other ideas, do you think it's safe to keep driving? Have kept it to a minimum using my daughter grand am. The dealer said they don't see it settling any time soon.

watchdog2

It is good to read that you were able to get the air to come on.

I was just in my wifes trailblazer ext and I had realized that there is a "R" position on the knob.

Happy trailing......

ficuss

did the new log in procedures scare everyone?

tidester

It sure looks like it! I think a lot of people forget their password. We're going to send out little stick'ems so people can paste them to their keyboards! ;-)

tidester, host

padc

I have the exact same problem. Rubbing sound when turning to the left, especially after a stop. Have had the rotors planed twice, the rear end serviced once and the rear end checked out three times. No luck. Still doing it after temporary reprieves.What about those rear axles. What should I be looking for? Now I have a whining sound above 45 mph that no one seems to hear but me. Any advice, PLEASE.

jbassoc

My 2002 trailblazer, with 36000 miles, has always had very poor mileage. Calculated highway average is 16 to 17mpg. Its been to the dealer 21 times for various repairs. Once in a while it gets 20 mpg. After going back through the repair records I noticed a pattern. Every time the shop clears the computer or updates the software, which also clears the computer, I get very good mileage for a tank and then it slowly falls off. After this last software update I attained 21 to 22 mpg driving 65 to 70mph with the air on. The highest ever. Now its on the decline again. When doing the tests I fuel at the same pump, stop in the same location, check air pressure and calculate the MPG. Anyone else experienced this phenomena?

twinrotts

Recently had a tailgate module replaced as a fix for an intermittent failure for gate to unlock with key fob or with vehicle put in park.
That fix was successful, but I now have a situation where the climate control turns itself on even with me turning it off. Did it today 3X in 5 mins so I finally let it have its way.
Do not know if it is related, but vehicle stalled today for the 1st time ever.
A few minutes after 1st start of day, I had it idling when I went to get something. I heard what sounded like the compressor kicking in and a few minutes later it just stalled. Started right up with no apparent ill effects, but I'll be watching for other signs

ndmike88

OK I admit I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box but how do you change the air filter on an '03 TB? I loosened the 2 screws on the air filter cover and tried to lift straight up and the darn thing wouldn't come off. What am I doing wrong??

envoyenvy2

On my '02 Envoy, there are 3 screws. One is in front, and the others are on the sides. You do have to manuever it a bit also after taking the screws out.

01_hoe

I concur with above post. My '03 Envoy has three screws. One of them was hard to see, but it is there.

jimosbo

Getting ready to purchase an Envoy XL and need some suggestions about which engine to get. I would like to be able to pull an 18 - 20 foot speed boat. The dealer says the V6 will do the job. Any experiences?

wlbrown9

The I6 might work with the lower gear rear end....I doubt it would with the standard 3.42 gears. We have the XLT, (actually an Inline 6 instead of a V) with 3.42 rear end. Fully loaded heading to what was a nice beach before Ivan came to call, I had it downshift twice several times trying to maintain 70-75 on an uphill stretch of Interstate...I don't remember the RPM, but I don't really like being in 2nd gear at 70+ MPH. I have heard some speculation that the 3.73 rear end might even give better fuel milleage due to better use of the power band. Not sure if that would hold true or not.

twinrotts

jimosbo - The I6 has more than enough towing power no matter what the gear ratio for the towing you are talking about. It is more powerful than many V8's
I have the EXT with 3:42 gears and use it towing approx 3000# into the high peak region of the Adirondak Park. In addition to the trailer, add 3 kayaks on the roof of the truck for a touch of wind resistance, and 3 mountain bikes on my combination bike rack/tow bar. All together total GVW is close to 9000#.
Truck eats some gas, but has no problem maintaining speed. BTW: tranny's are supposed to downshift to keep the powerband instantly available as you drive

choots

I own 02 Envoy with the same shifting problems described in post #6944 by tblazed. I realize that 6944 is a old post but I am hoping someone may have come up with a cure for this problem.

tblazed

Took mine in in May '03 and had the PCM reprogrammed for that and a few other symptoms which took care of it. Suggest you take it to the dealer (hopefully you still have some warranty left), state you have late delayed shifts, maybe ad to that intermittent fan noise and rough unstable idle, to get the latest updates and get yours done. There have been several programming updates since the '02s were built.

01_hoe

Get the V8. Sure the I-6 will do a job, but you will be more satisfied in the long run. If you get the V8 and don't like it, we can swap engines, as I am not satisfied with the I-6 I have in my standard wheel base Envoy.

For me it is about need and want, I don't need more power, I WANT more power.

ross1962

And be careful when you take out that lower screw, or you really will have 2 from now on! :-)

ross1962

I haven't actually measured it, but mine seems to do this as well. Thought it was my imagination.

cyndip

I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer EXT and have been having alot of problems with clunking in the front end. They have replaced the sway bars and both links and I am still having problems with it. They are telling me that they can't hear it but it sounds like the car is going to fall apart. Also, having problems with the doors sounding like they are banging or out of alignment - have you had any other problems with yours?

cbwilsha

It still doesn't work (the "Remember Me" feature) although the notice that it doesn't work has been removed!!! Getting tired having to sign in several times a day.

C.B.

hardhawk

Try replacing the front sway bar bushings. That made a world of difference for my 2002 Envoy.

tblazed

Those 3 screws don't need to come out of the filter cover, they will stay put. Just loosen enough to remove the cover, leave the screws in the holes in cover. Those are special screws threaded in the middle, smooth under the head and on the end that locates into the nuts.

seiford

So my friend pulls up in her her Isuzu Ascender today.. looks almost IDENTICAL to my Envoy!

Anyone else seen the new Ascenders? There is a 5-passenger and a 7-passenger version.

Why would GM do this? To try to get traditional import buyers to unknowingly buy American?

Specs: http://www.isuzu.com/ascender5_compare.jsp

burdawg

Isuzu is partnered with GM (or perhaps the other way around) on this. If you read the Edmunds editors review for the Ascender it tells the whole story. It is essentially an Envoy. One reason I chose the Trailblazer over the Envoy is the interior, which I just didn't care for on the Envoy. From the picture on Edmunds I like what Isuzu did to the interior, but I'd really need to see it in person to decide.

jerrywimer

for making this such a great forum.

As of this past Monday, I no longer own the Trailblazer. My family and I have found that we needed something with a bed in it to better handle those trips to and from the hardware store. The TB did okay for the most part in this capacity, but for any construction materials or lumber over 4 feet in length, I found myself being very self-conscious about tearing the carpet or scratching up the interior trim. Because of this, after quite a bit of soul searching, I traded the 2003 TB LT in on a 2004 Chevy Silverado ext. cab pickup on Monday. The TB rides better and is quieter inside than the pickup truck, and has a bit more rear seat room for the kids, but the truck still meets all my requirements in those areas, with the obvious advantage of the 6 and a half foot box out back.

Anyway, I will be moving on to the Silverado groups, but wanted to say how much my ownership experience with the TB has been improved thanks to the existance of this site and the members of the forum. Please keep up the good work for all the other owners that come through here.

ross1962

Enjoy your truck. My brother has owned two GMC trucks (same thing) and, while they've not been perfect, he has been very happy with them and would buy one again.

wlbrown9

My solution when I got rid on an old S-10 pickup was to by a trailer. For a little over $400 I bought a 5' x 12' trailer with a 3500# limit. Would haul more than the pickup and when hauling dirt and mulch keeps the Trooper clean. Only drawback is that I have to go home to pick up the trailer. Only really have to use that if I am hauling longer lumber or dirt/mulch. I can get the 15 bags of fertilizer I need in the back of the Trooper if I move the golf clubs. (Same goes for the wife's Envoy XL)

sostrouble

My rear passenger brakes did not give any warning, but froze up destroying the brake pad and rotor. My dealership set me up with a dearlership that is not on strike. They said that the slide in the caliper froze. They also said it was my fault because I didn't lubricate the slide every 15,000 miles. I only have 23,000 miles. I check the owners manual and no where does it say that you have to lubricate the slides on the calipers. My Service Manager said that it does not have to be lubricated until you change the brake pads approximately 40,000 to 50,000 miles. I call GMC Customer Services and was told that they would not cover it because I failed to maintain the brakes properly. Three heated phone calls and still nothing. I told the Suntrup GMC in St. Peters to repair it anyway, I need the car. Does anyone know about lubricating the brake slide??? The supervisor at GMC was quite rude. Only my dealer has ever work on my Envoy. They say I have performed all the routine maintenance.

Who's right? Help Me.

adamjeeps

I believe the dealer is full of major bs. Your brakes should not have locked up at 23,000 miles. Nowhere is it said that this is routine maintenance. I can not believe I am hearing this from a dealer! If this was the case then there would be thousands of vehicles on the side of the road with no brakes!! Unbelievable story and good luck- there is no doubt in my mind that you are not liable for this.

ross1962

They're replacing the Trooper with this here and on the international market. Note the lower price and longer warranty!

ross1962

I concur. Nothing on this in the manual and most importantly, on your warranty.

poles

i just changed the oil in my 02 TB. i drained all the oil and replaced the filter. i drove it for about 5 minutes and when i came back i checked the oil on a flat surface and on the dipstick, only F had oil in it, all the other holes didnt have dark oil in them. what could be wrong?
thanks for the help.

Poles

cwhawk

I recently posted a message about engine noise. When accelerating, it made a noise similar to a spark knock.

I took it to my dealer two weeks ago and they stated it was the same on all TBs.

I went back yesterday and had the service manager ride with me. He heard the noise. Today they found a TSB from Oct 2002 stating a problem with exhaust noise sometimes. The fasteners for the exhaust manifold sometimes lose there clamping ability and must be replaced. I wonder why they could not find the TSB two weeks ago?

Also had a tach noise so they replace the instrument cluster.

My 2002 TB has 32,000 miles and has had most of the minor problems. I have a 100K, 0 ded GMPP warranty, so I just think I'll drive it for 95,000 miles and let GM pay for everything that their haste in design and manufacturing cost them.

When nothing it broken, I love the TB. Could stand a little better gas mileage.

Hope this posting helps someone else.

01_hoe

For whatever reason, I am having trouble understanding your problem. Did you put 7 quarts of oil in the TB?

m1iceman

I own a 2002 TB LT with approx 47000 on it. To my surprise, another problem with a vehicle that wont be covered by warrenty. I had the fuel pump replaced and when I looked at the original one, it was rotted beyond belief. I asked my mechanic if he has seen anything like this and he stated yes, but not with 47000 on it. Anyone else have a problem with their FP? I dont need the lectures about extended warrenties, this is just FYI if someone else has had the problem or may think there is a problem. I thought it was a recent problem, but in talking to family, they inform me that had smelled gas some 5-6 months ago. Well anyway, $500 later its fixed and no one at Chevy wants to hear about their 2 year old truck that has had a fuel pump problem, new engine and a shift lock problem. Never buy first gen again, but I do love my truck.

poles

i put the 7 quarts of oil in.
ill have to check it in the morining

seiford

Yes, I noticed the 7/75 warranty and the $3k cheaper price.

I wonder why the towing rating is higher on the Ascender? Are they using an Isuzu tranny?

raleigh

When you say "that took care of it" what exactly do you mean? How does your truck shift now? I moved from a '98 Jimmy to an '04 Envoy, and am not really happy with the way this one shifts and runs, by comparison. The Jimmy always seemed to be eager to run, despite having much less power, and I think this was because it stayed in the various gears longer while getting up to speed. The Envoy, on the other hand, seems to shift into high almost immediately and, as a result, always feels a little sluggish unless you really give it the gas. Is there a dealer "fix" for this? I've been hoping Hypertech would come out with something ....

01_hoe

I have given my '03 Envoy an 'Italian tune' a couple of times. I unhook my battery for about 45 minutes, hook it back up and drive the Envoy with a lot of wide open throttle. Seems to cure some sluggishness.

I was hoping for a Westers tune for my Envoy. The full size truck guys really like what he can do to reprogram the truck's computer. He does custom programming and has a great guarantee and upgrade policy. He just needs to do something for the 4.2L I-6 engine.

Do a google search on "westers garage" (with the quotes) for more info.

tblazed

"The Jimmy ... stayed in the various gears longer while getting up to speed. The Envoy, on the other hand, seems to shift into high almost immediately .."

Not the case with my '02 TB at all. Originally it would delay upshifts (stay in various gears) way too long. 1-2 upshift would occur with light throttle at about 3K RPM. And it was slow downshifting back into 1st coming to a "rolling stop". Would typically be in a neutral in-between gears mode when I would give it gas after the stop. They do set these up to hold the 1-2 shift point longer when cold to speed up warmup, then when it reaches a certain operating temperature, it should shift at a lower speed and RPM. Now after the reprogramming last year, in normal traffic mine will shift 1-2 at about 2100-2500 RPM depending on how much gas I am giving it. And the shifts can be felt slightly now. Before it had a very soft shift. And it downshifts into 1st quicker now. Ready to go when I give it the gas.

Possibly on the '04s they have lowered the shift points in an effort to squeeze out another 1/10th of a MPG? Have not driven an '04.

ross1962

I wonder why the towing rating is higher on the Ascender? Are they using an Isuzu tranny?

Same tranny. Looks like the difference may be the difference beween what is considered to be the standard axle ratios between the two models. The 4.10 ratio will pull even more.

ficuss

Plymouth had the Volare, now that was an Italian tune.

tripicchio

I have an 02 Envoy and already replaced both sway-bar bushings...this totally eliminated the looseness in the steering wheel feel and the clunking noise....now, about one year later, the same effects are back, however to a much lesser extent. Today, I had the same dealer that replaced the sway bar bushings see if the "new" ones were worn...he said that they were fine, and could not duplicate any clunk/loosness when road testing....are there any other problematic front-end parts that can also cause a "shimming" in the steering shaft when going over rough-raodway?

01_hoe

Maybe the steering shaft itself needs replacement???

scottc454

Did you have the tie rod ends checked?
I had one go bad already.

ross1962

Do you have gasohol where you live?

01_hoe

Problem accessing the site. Get this on first try
The item ".eea2017&ERIGHTS=1952293801469825660bill_renner@hotmail.com" does not exist, it may have been deleted

Will let me access the second try. What is going on?

stever

Haven't seen that one.

Please send in a bug report using the Contact us form (website technical issue). Please include your operating system and browser. Thanks,

Steve, Host

aldan

Due to a slight vibration in the pedal I replaced the brakes today!! The front was done, very easy and cheap. All you need is: a can of Dot 3 brake fluid, ceramic pads (Napa), rotors (Carquest)and a ratchet set. No problems encounter.

Observations: Front rotors very worn on the inside, both sides, brake pads where just fine about 75% left, replaced anyway. Bolts where snug but easy to take off the caliper. Also never force the fluid back up through the resivoir, bleed the brakes, compress with a C clamp.

Slide rails, and rubber where in as new condition, plenty of grease no sign of cracking rubber.

ALSO NEVER GO TO AUTOZONE for rotors, they sold me the wrong part number and don't carry the Trailblazer 2003 line!!!