Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

18687899192352

Comments

  • bushskibushski Member Posts: 15
    I have done a lot of research on this topic. I have consulted with car stereo experts at Tweeter, Inc.

    Here's the scope: If you want to change the stereo you can it 2 different ways. Yes all the onstar and electronics flow through the radio. So what people are doing is to basically just take the radio out of the dash and "hide" it somewhere in the car - under the dash, in the storage areas in the back, etc. Don't disconnect anything electronic, just the speakers. The actually sell a harness that allows you to do this.

    I have a TB LS without the steering wheel controls. They hooked up a little speaker to the old radio so that I can hear the door chimes, onstar etc.

    The new radio then gets mounted totally seperate from the old radio. I put in an XM reciever and it works like a charm. Onstar still works as does everything else.

    Now, I also heard of a company that acually makes a replacement harness that allows you to replace the radio and still have all the functionality of the old radio. It is called a soundgate Starmod, however, the model for the 2002 TB wont be out until the end of April.
  • edl55347edl55347 Member Posts: 46
    I have both the mud guards and running boards on my TB. There is no interference between the two at all.
    I added the running boards to protect the paint because in the mud/snow of MN, the wheels were kicking it up onto the panel on the bottom of the rear doors.
    After adding the boards, I don't have that problem anymore.
  • mraumrau Member Posts: 50
    ---- On my Envoy I have factory running boards. They get muddy on top from the front tire throwing mud on the board. When you get out of the Envoy you step on the mud if you use the board.

    Question: Does anyone else notice this? Do mud flaps on the front tires prevent this from happening? I think they would. Have not seen any Envoy's with mud flaps yet. Wondering how they would look.

    Thanks. Mike
  • richardcoulsonrichardcoulson Member Posts: 88
    I rented a trailblazer ls in Anchorage last week and drove up to Talkeetna. The road had a lot of dips in it which didn't work to well with the soft suspension. The rear end seems to get launched excessively coming out of a dip. On smooth roads, the suspension was very smooth. Has anyone installed some stiffer after market shocks?

    Achorage got 24" of snow on Sunday. The trailblazer travelled well through some of the unplowed streets. However, I found that in snow the all wheel drive took to long to engage and then engaged with a jerk. The part time 4 wheel drive worked flawlessly. It is unfortunate the bravada does not have 4 hi and 4 lo. This makes the bravada not an option for me since I live in a snow state.

    The trailblazer also had that irritating whistle from the driver side mirror.

    Overall I was very pleased with the trailblazer.
  • crestonavecrestonave Member Posts: 209
    Did a google search on "running boards bravada" and came up with:

    http://www.aerotecinc.com/new.htm

    not an endorsment, because I don't have the product, just some information. They make body colored running boards for the 2002 Bravada, among others.
  • dva10dva10 Member Posts: 6
    i have just picked up my new envoy and i have a problem with the mirrors returning to the correct position from the tilt down and driver 1&2 position.Is this the wandering mirror problem and how can this be fixed ? Also has anyone been able to get the dealer to install the gasket in the tailgate. Thanks,great car and this board gave great help in the choice
  • kkakkokkakko Member Posts: 9
    I took my TB to the dealer this week (Monday) and showed them the chipped paint. I called them yesterday and they said that they still don't have an answer from GM about how to proceed regarding this problem.
  • bushskibushski Member Posts: 15
    Has anyone installed a K & N filter into their truck? Did it improve anything?
  • pluto5pluto5 Member Posts: 618
    The second row seats leave a lot to be desired IMO. There isn't enough room for three average size adults as advertised and the seat is not adjustable. What's wrong, GM?? Even DC can make an adjustable second row seat.
  • dva10dva10 Member Posts: 6
    Can someone tell me at what speed and RPM there Envoy shifts? Mine seams to shift a little high on the RPM's. I bought a demo and the mileage does not seam to be to great but i have been city driving only. It has 3.42 gears. Hope to check the MPG on the highway this weekend.
  • mdeymdey Member Posts: 90
    I have a TB LS 4x2 3.73 rear end. Under light acceleration on flat ground and fully warm it will shift as early as 2200 rpms from first to second. Under normal acceleration it shifts between 2500 rmps and 2700 rpms. If I am more aggressive about things it shifts as late as 4000 rpms. I have yet to see any rpms above 5500 rpms, 6000 miles on the truck. In higher gears the shifts come earlier. According to the manual it will shift at 6000 rpms no matter what. The truth is the truck has so much power that I have only had a couple of occassions to accelerate at full throttle.

    My best MPG is 21.8, mild weather, I-95 to Hilton Head Island and back to Columbia, SC. Speed was 70 mph to 80 mph, pretty heavy traffic, no cruise control. Worst is 17.9, cold weather around town.
  • tmc4lifewwftmc4lifewwf Member Posts: 2
    What did you do to fix the problem with the TB instument panel lights going out. Have you heard of any recall. It happened to me this morning - temp 30 and started TB LTZ and looked down to see same problem no lights on instrument panel. Anthing you have heard would be great.
  • drobin59drobin59 Member Posts: 26
    My drivers' side mirror occassionaly gets out of alignment. In reading many of the previous posts, this seems not to be a rare occurrence. I talked to the service department and told them about the problem and that I thought a TSB was issued. They could find any TSB. Can anyone give me some help, maybe with part numbers that were replaced?

    Thanks!
  • envoy2002envoy2002 Member Posts: 26
    No offense to anyone: the owners manual (page?section? 2-57)states how you can program the tilting of either mirrors when in reverse. I only have my passenger mirror set to tilt (used the DIC to do this) and re-set my passenger mirror tilt position per the manual. Someone else I know had this problem and even had the mirror replaced. Even the service department guys didnt know about this fact until they all looked in the owners manual.
  • envoy2002envoy2002 Member Posts: 26
    Can anyone who has mudflaps let me know the affect/difference between the Molded mudflaps vs the Flat with Contour 9.7" Wide flaps? The GMgoodwrench site (under Envoy accessories) only lists the Molded GMC logo flaps whereas the downloadable printable PDF file of the catalog at the website lists a "Flat Contour 9.7" Wide one as well (available in GMC logo and non-GMClogo). Despite the $29 vs $9.50 price, any difference? Isn't "molded' the same as "countoured" ???
  • pepper50pepper50 Member Posts: 195
    Here are some other weather deflectors that don't require any tape. There is also a webvideo there on how to install them and/or printed instructions:

    MacNeil WeatherFlectors
  • giddens_johngiddens_john Member Posts: 77
    The molded flaps are about 10" across for the rear and a little over 10" across for the front. versus the contoured are 9.7" wide. The molded flaps follow the contour of the wheel well exactly versus the contoured are sort of shaped around the contour of the wheel well. In my opinion the molded flaps look more factory installed to me, versus the contoured flaps look to me like the flaps found at auto part stores. The molded flaps can't be used with fender flares. The contoured flaps in the picture of the brochure look like they might extend down closer to the ground, but that might just be the way the picture was taken.
  • bryancosbryancos Member Posts: 282
    I've installed one... intake breathes much easier, haven't installed a cat-back exhaust yet. Gas mileage improved slightly by about 2-3mpg on the highway. Around town I don't see much diff, but it's a lot of stop n go... the upside is that the air filter will last the life of the truck which is probably the most compelling reason to get one. The marginal performance effects are just gravy.
  • baredoggbaredogg Member Posts: 32
  • bricklayertxbricklayertx Member Posts: 20
    In response to #4491----the 'black/dead' dash lasted about 30 min, and did not recur. Went to dealer to inquire---no help. Don't plan to pursue unless it dies again and stays dead. Had an intermittent short on previous truck (Trooper) and it took 4+ trips to dealer to find and fix.
  • baredoggbaredogg Member Posts: 32
    The good news is there is a fix new modules are available as well a tech helpline info from the general (wonders never cease). Module numbers 15097470 and 15097471. I got these numbers from a earlier post from Tim Lauro I owe him my thanks. See your dealer quote the numbers and get him to check. Good fix for a change and good luck and enjoy.jp
  • kozak1kozak1 Member Posts: 12
    If you have the same problem that I have (and it sounds like you are) don't confuse the "tilt in reverse" feature the the "wandering" problem. My tilt feature is turned off and the mirror still moves on it's own. There is no TSB out for this issue. However I had my mirrors re programed last week and it has "wandered" on me just once after setting it. Other people have had their mirrors or modules replaced with varying degrees of success.
    Call GM customer assistance @ 1-800-222-1020 and file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration @ 1-888-327-4236 or at www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/ivoq/default.htm. Make sure to tell both parties that this is a safety hazard. Eventually GM will have to issue a TSB.
  • cwhawkcwhawk Member Posts: 38
    I installed a K&N air filter, without his knowledge, in my son's 1997 Isuzu Rodeo and had him check gas mileage every week. Over 1,200 miles, his mileage decreased by .55 mpg to 15.35 with the K&N filter. I then changed back to the old filter, again without his knowledge, and the mileage increased back to the original of 15.9 mpg. My son noticed no difference in performance at all, except the change in gas mileage.

    K&N, on an e-mail, stated their dealers will issue refunds.
  • drobin59drobin59 Member Posts: 26
    Thanks for the input everyone. My problem isn't with the tilt feature (although I have it set for both windows to tilt on going into reverse). On the driver's side, when the mirrors move back to "normal" it doesn't quite go all the way back into the former position - like the passenger side does.

    Baredogg - Do I understand your post correctly in that the module numbers you list are a "fix"? Do I quote those to the dealers? Is the 470 the driver's side module?

    Pepper50 - Thanks for the lead!
  • gam2gam2 Member Posts: 316
    Has anyone removed the crossbars from their roofrack? I wlll never use them and it may decrease wind noise. I assume you romve the molding at the front and slide them out. Appologies if this has been addressed before.

    Has anyone noticed how dirty the engine compartment gets? Mine is pretty dirty with less than 1000 miles. There seem to be a lot of openings to the wheel wells.

    Finally, what is the part number for the K&N filter. I used them before and like the way they perform.

    GAM2
  • tlaurotlauro Member Posts: 504
    Thanks to many for the kind words about my link here: http://www.timlauro.com/cars/trailblazer/problems-page.html

    I was one of the first around to have GM's Regional Rep and my dealer work on the fix for the wandering mirros back in Dec-Jan.

    Please let me know if there are any questions. It's been three full months and no reoccurance has been noted. All is perfect.

    tim
    http://www.timlauro.com/cars/cars-sig-image.jpg

    1999 GTP @ 13.689
    2000 Alero "GT" @ 15.591
    2002 Trailblazer LTZ @ 15.675

    "Do I understand your post correctly in that the module numbers you list are a "fix"? Do I quote those to the dealers? Is the 470 the driver's side module?"
  • tlaurotlauro Member Posts: 504
    The K&N Cone Type filter is a good addition for any vehicle. There is no such thing as a magic performance gain filter, however there is a noticable difference if you were to view the intake map from the computer interface of the vehicle. I've not set it up on my LTZ, however, on my GTP, the motor was designed (bone stock) to take in 650cfm, however, only 450cfm was making into the engine with the stock set up. After only replacing the filter setup, that number then jumped to 675cfm upon full supercharger boost.

    Obviously it's a force inducted vehicle, thus gains are more noticable, however the point I'm trying to make is that modifications are all cumlative, may not be noticable when added individually yet add up in the end.

    Contrary to popular belief MPG don't tend to jump and if anything, may fall due to more power being delivered, more air being taken in and more gas thus being burned...more efficiently I might add.


    So for those such as myself who hobby in the world of mild modifications and even take their personal vehicles to the track for testing, add it and enjoy the benefits.


    On most Triplets, the noticable feel or "Butt Dyno" effects will be felt in passing on the highway or at upper RPM's where our engines take in the most air. Around town...nothing will be noticed as the extra air isn't needed.


    tim
    http://www.timlauro.com/cars/cars-sig-image.jpg

    1999 GTP @ 13.689
    2000 Alero "GT" @ 15.591
    2002 Trailblazer LTZ @ 15.675

  • paulpropaulpro Member Posts: 56
    I just changed the oil in my new 2002 Envoy and can not get the Oil Life monitor to reset.

    Per the manual, key On, depress accel. three times, Oil light flashes to acknowledge reset but mine won't flash.

    Anyone else had this problem and how do I reset the system

    Thanks

    Paul P
  • envoyenvy1envoyenvy1 Member Posts: 22
    I finally have enough miles on my Envoy to put it on the highway. Unfortunately I've noticed a very loud wind noise when driving at 55 and over. If you close your eyes (not recommended) you'd swear a window was open. I've driven SUV's for over 12 years (Ford and Nissan) and never heard this kind of noise. I took it to the dealer to check (yes I already moved the racks). They called me later and said both the service person and the service manager drove it and said it was normal due to the side mirrors???
    Has anyone else noticed this? I have to crank the Bose just to drown it out.
  • pepper50pepper50 Member Posts: 195
    This is a pretty mundane question, but do all your triplets have a bold plastic license plate holder on the front, or did my dealer do that? The black kinda sticks out like a sore thumb on my pewter Envoy. But I got my permanent plates today and noticed that there are not even any mounting holes in the front plate holder. The rear at least had mounting holes (but only the bottom two were protected with rubber bushings). Guess I'm going to have to drill a couple holes in the front holder so I can bolt down the front plate; otherwise anyone can just reach down and lift out the plate. The bolts would at least delay a thief and make her think it's more trouble while someone notices her unscrewing it. Did most of y'all have to drill the bottom of your plateholder?
  • lillbabslillbabs Member Posts: 2
    Having lived with a buzzing front speaker for almost 4 months, the problem was finally fixed yesterday.

    The Chevy dealer here in Sweden had had the car in the shop 5 times trying to remedy the problem. The last shop session lasted for 4 week (I was out of the country, so they had it for the entire time). However, when I returned and called them, the first thing they blurted out was "the buzz is still there".

    So, being fed up with the Chevy dealer, I went to a local car audio shop and asked them to have a look at the problem. They called after 2 hours saying "the buzz entered the system via poorly shielded loudspeaker cabling being routed too close to the dash reostat (dash light dimmer). We have redone the loudspeaker cabling from the rear amplifier to the front dash speakers, and the noise is gone."

    Time to fix:
    - external car audio company (knowing what they were doing): 3 hours (incl. reassembly of panels), problem fixed
    - authorized Chevy dealer (having access to all Chevy information but NOT knowing their business): 28 working days (incl. scratching of panels and causing phone mute function to break), problem NOT fixed.
  • dva10dva10 Member Posts: 6
    Kozak1,I am using the tilt down feature on my mirrors and thats one of the problems,they don't return to the set position. Will reprograming solve this?
  • funitsfunits Member Posts: 55
    pepper50:

    The front license plate bracket is black on all pewter Envoys I have seen. After placing my permanent license plate in the front holder without any screws, someone posted here to use self-tapping screws on the bottom two holes. I bought two stainless self tapping screws and they worked great (did not pre-drill and I believe where less than 1/2" in length).

    Question:

    When I attempted to switch from 4HI to AUTOTRAC while driving 30 MPH on a slippery road, the vehicle went to 2HI instead. I was able to switch from 2HI to AUTOTRAC without problem. I have in the past and since had no problem switching from 4HI to AUTOTRAC. Was this a fluke or does this happen when conditions are not "perfect" for the system to switch from 4HI to AUTOTRAC?

    Thanks
  • richardcoulsonrichardcoulson Member Posts: 88
    Anyone know where I can get some stiffer shocks or stiffer sway bars for the the trailblazer? I would like to stiffen up the suspension a little.
    thanks.
  • baltychenbaltychen Member Posts: 50
    I have the same problem with my TB. I changed the oil at 2000 miles and trying to re-set the Oil Light Monitor. I turned the key to Run and then depressed the Gas Pedal three times but no flashes responded.

    I just keep changing my oil every 5000 miles and ignore the Oil Light Change system.
  • baredoggbaredogg Member Posts: 32
  • kozak1kozak1 Member Posts: 12
    Actually I've just started using the tilt feature on the passenger side, and the mirror does return to it's normal position. But my "wander" was mostly from the driver's side, the passenger side did it only occasionally. You could at least have the dealer try reprogramming as a first step and see what happens. If not maybe replacing the modules, like tlauro did, will work.
  • baredoggbaredogg Member Posts: 32
    Just got to nor hit enter. I had my mirrors wander not to be confused with mis set, the will have a mind of their own driving and they will move to check for aircraft or the worm holes along the road at any given time. Two modules were replaced to fix "mirror not holding position replaced per TAC ADVISE" wo. dated 03/20/02. Don't let your dealer tell you otherwise it is not safe driving with mirrors like this. Good luck to all. jp
  • jddulikjddulik Member Posts: 2
    I had to wait until Saturday morning, but I finally had time to get my in-dash 6-disc changer installed.

    paulpro -- Thank you! I had found and removed those three screws before posting my question here, but it didn't seem to help. The directions at the link you posted persuaded me to "just pull it off." Lacking a "hook tool," I found that a piece of a wire coat hanger sufficed.

    For anyone else trying to get to the back of the radio, I'd suggest removing a few more fasteners. There are two 7-mm bolts on the panel below the steering wheel... basically in front of your knees. After those bolts, pull out on the top of that panel with your "hook tool," and you'll see three more Phillips-head screws to remove.... that gives you a lot more room to work with, for getting the panel out of the way without having to disconnect the controls for the lights, rear wiper, 2WD/4WD, and 12-volt outlets.

    With those fasteners out (including the ones you just pull out around the panel with your hook tool) and the gear selector in 1 (for access to the dash) you can pull the panel back. There are three 7-mm bolts left to remove, and the radio is loose.

    Three connectors on the back: a small post for the antenna wire, a black 12-pin connector (power, including dash lights, etc., I think) and a white 24-pin connector (must be the signal out). All are easily removed.

    The 6-disc changer is the one for the TB, Envoy, and Bravada, so it went right in with the same connectors and fasteners. I only have an LS model, so I don't have OnStar, DIC, etc., but the radio works fine, and the chimes still work.

    Other than the fact that the changer seems a little sensitive to bumps (it seems to skip a little more) it works great.

    allenr -- you asked about the part number. The sticker on the side says 15058229... I think that would be it.

    Jeff
  • richardcoulsonrichardcoulson Member Posts: 88
    I had a dealer agree to sell me a trailblazer at invoice plus advertising fees. The advertising fees were about $550. That seems very high to me for central Iowa. He did agree to drop it down some. What are others paying for advertising fees? Are advertising fees still applicable if you custom order the car? It would seem that no advertising would be required for a custom order since the vehicle is already sold without having to sit on the dealer lot.
    Thanks.
  • pluto5pluto5 Member Posts: 618
    Even if you special order you may have to pay something for advertising but it's negotiable. One dealer I talked to offered to cut the advertising charge by half. Agree with your logic that if you special order they don't have to advertise it but some dealers do have to contribute to coop advertising depending on the area. Thought it was more common in urban areas, though.
  • fraudfighterfraudfighter Member Posts: 9
    I recall several posts (other than my own) about the problem with some Envoys completely dying at highway speeds - all lights come on - message "check brake system" appears. It's impossible to search this board to find just those (unless someone can enlighten me) so I'm asking for anyone else having this experience to reply.

    It happened the first time at 7,000 miles. The dealer called the tech line and they knew exactly what they were talking about. They said I needed some sort of jumper attached to my wiring harness. So they did that. A couple of months later, it happened again. This time at night on a dangerous stretch of highway. The car always restarts after about an hour (so there is clearly a temperature issue involved) - so I waited and drove it home. Took it back to the dealer and told them to let GM know I had had enough.

    I wanted another Envoy because I can tell this isn't a wide spread problem. There are about 7 reports out on the NHSTA database and I recall 3 or 4 on this board. My guess is it is a faulty computer or wiring harness or something from one particular supplier (they tried replacing my computer).

    Anyway - GM was willing to get me into another Envoy after I payed the mileage usage (okay), but they would not brand it a lemon. I refused. It's a dangerous condition. So I am forced to file a law suit. Fortunately, this is what I do for a living (sue car dealers and manufacturers).

    Anyway - I will be interested in knowing who else has experienced the problem and what GM has told you the problem is supposed to be.

    Thanks
  • trek1420btrek1420b Member Posts: 32
    I am seriously considering the rear deflector for my TB. Great pics John. My question is does the deflector cover up the brake light? Does it cover it up from the angle of a driver behind you who of course would be sitting lower down? If it does cover it up, would that possibly be illegal. Or maybe the light shows through? I am not sure what the deflector is made of.
  • pepper50pepper50 Member Posts: 195
    If your advertising fee was for co-op advertising, it should be listed as such on the factory invoice. Sometimes it's hard to find on there. On the invoice the dealer copied for me it's down near the bottom. Co-op advertising is for all those TV/radio ads you encounter advertising a vehicle and then the ad will say something like "Chevy/GMC Dealers of North Texas" and sometimes it may even list them. Here the co-op fee on an Envoy was $295.70. If your ad fee is not a co-op advertising fee collected by the manufacturer, I would question its legitimacy since one shouldn't have to pay for an individual dealer's advertising which is a cost of doing business (in that case it won't be on the factory invoice either). On the Edmund's website, it says the co-op advertising fee should not exceed 1% of the MSRP, so the $550 would have been too high anyway. As for your question about ordering a car from the factory, if your dealer is in a co-op advertising group, you would have to pay ad fees on it; if it's an individual dealer such as in a rural area, you would not have to pay ad fees on it. Even if you are required to pay co-op ad fees though, the final price is still negotiable. A dealer might decrease or ignore the fee if it means salvaging a sale as long as it guarantees him a profit.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    richard: It would seem that no advertising would be required for a custom order...

    Custom order or not, it was proabably the advertising they paid for that got you to walk through their doors.

    tidester
    Host
    SUVs
  • giddens_johngiddens_john Member Posts: 77
    The deflector does not cover up the brake light. If you read the install sheet in the picture section on my site it will show you this. The brake light is removed from it's original location, and reattached to the deflector so it has the same visibility that it had before the deflector. After I post this I'll add a picture to my site with the brake light on to show everyone. The deflector is made of some black plastic material.

    http://users2.ev1.net/~giddens_john/
  • tblazedtblazed Member Posts: 945
    Have been following the posts about these items - has anyone received official proper "fixes" at their dealer for the wind noise, mirror whistling and paint chipping on the tailgate license frame area? I have done things to address all of these but wonder if there are "official GM" fixes. (Don't want to provide GM with free research and developement! I am certain a good part of the price of my TrailBlazer was for their "R&D". Chevy and GM did not seem too interested with these problems anyway when I emailed them. )

    Also my No1 first gripe while driving it home the first day - the SEAT BELT retractor spring to me is too tight. It feels like it is almost cutting into my collar bone and I have to continuously pull it away to try and be comfortable. My old '88 S-10 belt has a mechanism to take off this tension with a quick pull-release on the belt.

    Otherwise I love the vehicle! 1400 mi so far and with 3.42 gears I am getting 14.2 in town and 21 on the highway @ 70-75 mph calculating it manually (no "DIC" on my LS)
  • cmack4cmack4 Member Posts: 302
    John... now that you've had some time to get acquainted with the rear deflector, how is it doing at keeping the rear end cleaner?
  • baltychenbaltychen Member Posts: 50
    I have a TB LS. I noticed that the front fender and the plastic mud panel both have screw holes but never got bolted together.

    I noticed not only LS but also LT models have the same thing. I think GM just wants to save the money.

    All you need is to get down next to your front tire and look into the edge of the fender and the plastc mud panel. GM is just kind of cheap.
  • tlaurotlauro Member Posts: 504
    The extra holes in your fender are for the two-tone units that have the two-tone colored molding bolted on using those holes.

    It's not GM skipping screws...just building all the units so that they can be made with the two-tone components.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.