Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

tblazed

Are you doing standard CD audio format (44.1kHz-stereo, which should work), or MP3 files copied to a disc?

dmathews3

I use Musicmatch to burn my MP3's into regular CD's. I have a 04 TB that holds 5 CD's. Maybe you should try another brand CD as some of the L-cheapo's don't always work good in some players. Also does the software you are using finalize the CD when its done (don't know if this even happens on burning music CD's, just a thought) or maybe try different burning software.

ficuss

blink3, if the front end of your triplet clunks when going over small bumps, have the dealer test drive the car and repair it. Go on the test drive with him and point out the sound when you hear it. You don't need a tsb to get it repaired under warranty.

tblazed

"I use Musicmatch to burn my MP3's into regular CD's." More accurately that will CONVERT your downloaded MP3 files to the CD-DA "standard" I mentioned above (44.1 kHz, 16 bit stereo, developed by Philips and Sony in 1982), which these CD players must have. They will not play back MP3 files burned to a disc. They must be "saved as" or converted to CD-DA.

Some poor quality discs may not play properly too- I have a few made on cheapo bulk CD-R discs that will try to play but skip easily or mistrack.

rubberman05

a local dealer advertised an LS 2x4 for $18,9xx. I think it had the 1sb package with onstar. Im looking at TBs too so you have any helpful hints/tips when i go to the dealers? All the sale tags they have on the trailblazers show minimum $27,000. So dont know if they added the rebates. also in my area GM is having a 0% for 60 mos special till the end of the month.

dclinco

Hey, i have a 2003 TB LTZ and i have the same noise exactly at 2500 RPMs i have complained about it but the dealership says all TB have that, same answer i get for all other things wrong with the car but i am going to try a different service department i think thats the problem.

Thanks for posting i thought i was the only one

dclinco

I have the same problems, windy noise when accelerating and the brakes clicking. You would think it would be under warranty but my service department (Team Chevrolet) says to every problem i have "All Trailblazers make that sound" . . . i just said not when i first bought it. I am going to try a new service department, Like a Rock my [non-permissible content removed]!. Ask them why you bought a warranty if there not going to fix it.

Any more questions email me at DClinco@msn.com
Thanks

tidester

Any more questions email me at ***@******

Please keep the discussion here so everyone benefits. To do otherwise defeats the purpose of a message board which is to share information, views and experiences.

tidester, host

bobfish

I installed the Hotchkis rear sway bar on my 04 Envoy,but the front poly bushings they sent will not fit an 04. I called Hotchkis and they said the front bushings are different on the 04 and they do not make one to fit.Does anyone know where I can buy poly bushings for the front of my 04 Envoy?

ross1962

I believe Hotchkis will send you the larger bushings for '04+ Envoy free of charge. Someone else here had that issue awhile back.

ross1962

It depends. Do you take it off road? If you do this a lot, I would stick to the rubber ones. For street use, the polyurethane ones are great and will last a lot longer as well.

m1iceman

I had this problem so maybe you can have your local dealer check it out.

I had to replace the gasket and pump from the gas tank to the frame or whatever its connected to. Apparently the gasket and pump rotted out from winter salt. I was told about the smell early on, but I never really smelled the gas. It was really bad at startup but could be smelled on a hot day coming through the vents. After about 2 months, I began to smell it more and more and I noticed a slight hesitation on startup. I didnt have the warranty so I took it to my local mechanic and he informed me about the replacement. Total cost $500, ouch. I have the piece in my garage and if you need a pic let me know Ill post it. Well hopefully this will help.
I have a 2002 LT with approx 50K and this problem happened about 6 months ago. Hope this might help or at least worth having checked.

m1iceman

I recently bought some 20's for a 2002 TB LT. I was wondering if anyone who has 20's on the TB have changed the brakes they have. I know the weight is alot different so I want to make sure the factory brakes will hold up. Any help with part numbers or websites to change them would be greatly appreciated.

bobfish

In the begining Hotchkis was going to produce a new bushing for the 04 Envoy.I contacted them and now they say they will not be making a poly bushing for the front to fit the 04 Envoy.

01_hoe

I have 20's on my '03 Envoy. I would also like better brakes, but have not found any affordable answer yet. I think Stainless Steel Brakes has something, but the cost would require a 2nd mortgage.
Currently I just maintain a greater distance from others. I hope the '06 SS TB will have some better brakes that can be utilized on the other triplet models.
The OEM rotors are a little larger on the TB EXT's, I do not know if they would plug and play on the standard wheelbase models.

01_hoe

This from another forum and currently applies to only 2002 EXT or XL TB's and Envoys.

A new special policy has sprung up involving 2002 Trailblazer EXTs and Envoy XLs regarding the above check valve fracture. CERTAIN '02s between VIN breaks [Trailblazer EXTs VIN 22442652 through 22460353 and 26100010 through 26138714] - [Envoy XLs VIN 22437217 through 22460354 and 26100018 through 26138713]. Resultant conditions can cause SES light illumination, fuel odor and/or a few droplets of fuel on the ground following fuel fill-up. This valve is located on the top of the tank above the tank full level. Correction involves fuel tank replacement. This policy is in force for 7 years or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service. GM states a letter will be sent to owners of the involved vehicles.

This is all info I have, no TSB# or anything.

mitzij

To replace fuel tank, is for certain vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:
2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
22442652-22460353
and
26100010-26138714


2002 GMC Envoy XL
22437217-22460354
and
26100018-26138713

If you have a vehicle that may qualify, you should receive a letter from GM about this special policy. If you do not receive a letter and want to know, call your favorite dealership, with your VIN, and ask the service dept.

ross1962

...a local dealer advertised an LS 2x4 for $18,9xx...

I can almost gaurantee you that even if you were the first customer on the lot, that car was "sold 15 minutes ago".

wrenchspin2

Well, as I could have guessed it, went to the dealer today about the sway bar/bushings issue (my clunking just started at 41k mi). Was told "yes it's a known problem, there is a TSB on it, but your out of warranty and there is no recall for it".
So, even though this has happened on a good number of vehicles, and obviously is some sort of design flaw or undersized bushings and not the fault of the driver, the answer is basically 'sorry you just missed the cutoff,hit the road'. I got a good look at GM(C) customer satisfaction at it's best. Unbelievable.

gam2

OK, several questions:

Anyone have a loose airbag/horn in the steering wheel. Mine rattles all the time over bumps.

How about a ticking noise under the hood (clearly audible with the hood closed) that disappears if you restart the truck?

Really rusty hinges and supports for the rear window?

Finally, notice the new recall for improperly installed windshields on '05's?

Greg

tb4me

Expalin jannear. I had to do it at 40 som thou too. Went to a junk yard and so far so good for far less than 1/2 the price that the dealer wanted. What happened?

tb4me

A while back--about 2-3 years or so, some owners of 2002 triplets were experiencing air conditioner problems that were associated with a switch locted on the low pressure side I believe, that I can remember. I've tried to search posts thru this site but with no luck Can anybody remember the sites or part #. This part helped in making the AC work instantly rather than blow hot for some time first or for the AC to fail to blow cold totally.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

akajoe

The TSB number for front end suspension clunk noise when going over a bump is:

#01115a posted January 2004
#3059 posted January 2004

01_hoe

Calll the 800 # for GM customer service. Let them know how you feel.

tblazed

Take a look at messages 11,871 and 11,937 for your answer.

ficuss

Wonder why GM is reporting very poor sales in quarter, read preceding 16,264 posts.

Kirstie_H

Don't forget tonight's member-to-member chat - it's open mic night, so come and discuss whatever's on your mind.



http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Drop by for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

kirstie_h

cbwilsha

For those GM Owners interested, go to www.mygmlink.com and register your auto including the VIN and you will find all sorts of resources peculiar to your vehicle available to you.

And they've just recently added a new feature I particularly like. All GM Dealer repairs and maintenance ever done to your auto will be shown when you return to the site.

It would seem to me that this info would be particularly of interest to those who bought their auto used. There may, indeed, have been work done on the car by the owner or some other repair facility but at least the first 3 years or 36,000 miles worth of data ought to be there.

C.B.

raleigh

Gee, that's interesting. I got a sway bar and bushings for my '04 Envoy last summer. Had my local Chevy dealer install them ... along with Bilstein HD shocks and Eibach springs. So what bushings did I get?

ross1962

Likely they just left the stock bushings on the front.

jaybird50

Gotcha. We're headed to the dealer tomorrow because of a clunking noise in the front.

From waht I've heard, I assume we will need new bushings; luckily, we're still under warranty,but not for long.

Plenty of issues with our vehicle.

GM has problems--simply need longer warranties for the products they are putting out otherwise they can forget future sales.

rcoulson

The seats in my 2002 trailblazer were hot enough on the lowest setting to almost burn my skin. The dealer confirmed they were too hot and replaced the heating elements. While they are not as hot as before, I still think they are too hot. The dealer says they are within specifications. Does anyone have a manual that states the temperature ranges for the three settings of high, medium and low? I assume I can test by placing a thermometer on the seat and covering with a blanket.
Thanks.

boat10

I'm leaving this board as I have upgraded myself to a BUICK RAINIER, (a born again triplet) AKA.. Olds Bravada. Buick has really done a good job with this vehicle. Back to the BUICK's, as this is what my wife has driven for years and really didn't like the Trailblazer's. But, she is sold on the RAINIER.
Hope all enjoy their triplets...........

01_hoe

No need to leave, the Rainier has its own issues. You can still share your vehicle problems on this forum.

onlyagirl

I need to take my 03 Envoy in for the 30K mile checkup.... since it's getting close to the 36K end of warrany I was wondering if there is anything any of you think I need to specifically have them look at? As far I know I'm not having any problems but ..... also I need to get a recall ( something about tail lights I think) fixed but other than that what should I be worried about? I have noticed that "clicking" from the instrument panel that others have reported....not sure if I should get them to fix that or not..it doesn't bother me but will it cause problems later on?

Thanks guys for any help...

onlyagirl
(bobbie)

ficuss

Don't forget the 3 year part of the warranty, it is just as important as the 36 k miles.
A few other things you may have noticed and should mention at this time:
If you have heard a "clunking" sound when going over small bumps.
If your brakes feel like they are pulsing when coming to a full stop.
If your outside rearview mirrors don't rest at the correct spot each time.
If your windshield wipers hessitate mid wipe while in the intermittent mode.
These are just a few problems that have been covered under warranty which probably won't be covered after warranty. You may want to think about an extended warranty if you are planning to keep the Envoy for very long. Out of warranty repairs will be very high for this car.

scottc454

"You may want to think about an extended warranty if you are planning to keep the Envoy for very long. Out of warranty repairs will be very high for this car."

If this statement is true, then the warranty companies would have to charge that much more to be profitable.

ficuss

Scottc454, we may differ in our opinions of the dependability of the triplets, but I doubt that the triplets will be cheap or average when it comes to repair costs. They have some of the most advanced systems in cars today, I would not want to pay for these repairs.
Time will tell, but I think I will be right on this one.

scottc454

I did not state my opinion on the reliability.
It's just that a warranty company has to make money somewhere, and you'll end up paying a lot more for that warranty if they think the car will be unreliable. It's a wash.

Anyway, I don't think they'll become money pits because GM parts are cheap. They never talk about this stuff in car reviews, though. They talk about how great a Volkswagen is. Then some poor sap ends up buying one and finds out repairs are frequent and cost way more than other makes.

I don't consider the triplets the most advanced either. True, they have a lot of things of dubious value like memory mirrors and stuff, but the engine and drivetrain are simple.
Now go look under the hood of any Subaru with a turbo. I wouldn't want to own one of those 5 years down the line when a blown head gasket occurs.

st1300v4

I recently put the Hotchkis rear sway bar on my 02 Bravada. The kit came with new front bar bushings so I knew that the noise wasn't worn bushings. The noise had been there for a while and I finally decided to do something about it. Diagnosis was to remove the front bar end links and test drive. The noise was gone. Also, it was apparent what the noise source was, since there was so much play in the "ball joint" part of the links that I could move the joint by hand and make it click. Found Moog greaseable replacement links at a local auto parts store (Moog part numbers K6665 (LH) and K6666 (RH). The prices were different even though the parts are identical save for the orientation. Cost was $21.17 and $24.54. Clunk is gone!

blink3

ST- Great detective work! thanks for the part numbers and all as well. I will be checking mine very soon. I can not really HEAR a clunk, but I can feel something loose or "rattley" when I go over small bumps in a turn. Did you feel this "vibration" or looseness through the steering wheel? Also just to clarify, you replaced the ball joints right?

Thanks!

tblazed

Here's the complete "shopping list" for the links, front and rear. Prices will vary so shop around.

MOOG STABILIZER BAR LINKS

FRONTS-R&L
K6665
K6666

REARS-R&L
K6667
K6668

st1100v4

I never felt the clunking, only heard it. The "ball joints" I referred to are part of the link (I didn't know how else to describe them), so if this is your problem, it's the sway bar end links that need replacing. The end links on these vehicles are not the simple type with a straight bolt and a couple of bushings. They consist of a metal body with a bolt coming out of each end at different angles. These bolts are attached into the body with a ball connection that allows them to swivel. It was this connection that had the play.

onlyagirl

THanks fiscus... my Envoy will be 2y/o in June...so the 36K miles will be up way before the years. I am considering extended warranty....

I don't think I've experienced any of the problems you mentioned...well, maybe that "clunking" sound when going over bumps... do you know what is the cause of that?

I will make a little list of things to check..

Thanks again for your suggestions...

onlyagirl

ficuss

If the sound you hear is the same as the sound my TB was making, the dealer may find the front sway bar links need to be replaced. I suggest you have them look at it before 36 k miles. Take a test drive with them to make sure they also hear and feel it.

cparise1

I bought Major Guard for 100,000 miles when I purchased my Envoy new in May of '02.

I now have almost 60K on it and haven't used the extended warranty. At some point I may need the driver seat motor replaced under warranty because it makes an intermittent noise but it could also be because it has to haul my fat back and forth.

In general the more options you buy the more you have to pay to maintain them. Case in point is air conditioning and electric windows. Nice features right? But they all need replacing sooner or later and they aren't cheap.

Chris

scudman

http://www.chevrolet.com/trailblazerss/

Why must they always do this when I already by a new truck, I am impressed but don't know how I am going to pay for the gas..........

adamjeeps

You know those 4.10 gears, AWD, and 400 hp combined with 4 speed auto = 12mpg I would guess.

01_hoe

Along with an '03 Envoy SLT. That TB SS is gonna rock.

mookie14

Man i went to a dealership one last time to get this whining sound fixed from my so called steering column. Well the dealership tells me its normal so i completly lost it. One they did even read the list of problems i said is wrong.Second they talk to you like you are stupid so what i did i called gm and told them what the problem was. Well after i got off work they all of a sudden tell me well not me my wife after i chewed his but out on the phone tell my wife they found something. Duh one thing i have found out THEY DO NOT WANT FIX ANYTHING THAT WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME UNLESS YOU ARE PAYING thank the lord that i had gmpp all this and alot more they all of sudden found was like $912.00 mind you when i am done paying on this gm got out of me like $2000.00 so it does make alot of doggone sense to buy one. So there you have it raise alot of you know what and you will get results i say sometime if not everytime .ps the steering problem was it needed a new steering gear from the rack & pinion. all of this on a 03 tblazer