Chevrolet TrailBlazer Start Stall and Idle Problems

ppilkington

Just to update everyone. I just fixed the mess, i wasted a little money troublshooting but i got to the bottom of it. I replaced my ignition switch and relay, it started. Well 1 week later it started acting up again. I check my starter and the solenoid was acting up. I checked on the price of a new start because orielly's couldn't get just the solenoid. They were $185, so i called around and found a place that rebuilds starters and alts. Picked up a rebuilt solenoid for 20$. The problem is there are some torkex holding it on and they are right up against the casting. I got one out took it to MFA and got some Allen heads that would work and put them on it. Fixed trailblazer has been running good for 2 weeks now. I will keep you guys posted,

gonzofulda

hi i have the same problem.i have a 2003 t blazer lt. i had the battery checked,even took it in the shop. they put it on a scope,they started twenty times and nothing. charged me 37.50 i was thinking it was a loose wire to starter or loose or bad relay
well wouldnt you u know it the very next day it wouldnt start. to my luck this place was not open on the weekend. so the next time he told me to have it towed to the shop and he would take a look.yea ur right if i let it sit for a couple of hrs then it will fire up (strange). oh i glad to see that edmunds took the time to put this page together.

chakaman123

my wifes 06 trail blazer every time we put gas in it you try to start it it will crank untill the auto start stops hold the pedal to the floor and it starts dont matter if you put 10 in it or fill it up now her gas gage works when it wants to any ideas

kbt

Our TB recently started not starting. No amount of waiting in between solves the problem. Radio, lights, displays all work, key turns but nothing happens, no click. Just doesn't start.

However, without fail, if you make a call on your cell phone while turning the key, it starts right up. We haven't needed it lately, so I haven't taken it to the dealer yet, but I'm trying to get a sense of what it could be before I go in.

Any clues why the cell phone does the trick?

burdawg

Is it at all possible that while your holding your phone you put different pressure on the key, such as holding at a different angle while turning it to start, than you do when you try starting it without using the phone? I ask because it may be possible the ignition switch is getting worn. Do you have a lot of weight hanging on the key?

noelmwaite

If it's only when you put gas in it could be a bad purge valve.

amyjo13

I own a 2003 Trailblazer. Last night it started to idle funny. The rpms are normal then they slowly start to go way down the lights dim and just before it almost dies it gets a burst of power and the rpm's go back up to normal. I don't think it has anything to do with the defrost because I haven't had a problem with that until last night and I live up north and have been using my defrost for a month already. It stalled 2 times on the way to work this morning once when I was stopped at a stop light and teh second time when I slowed down to pull into my parking ramp at work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have been told it maybe the fuel injections, oxygen sensor or fuel pump.

autodude45

I am have a problem starting my TB for the past 3 months. It sounds easy, but that could fool someone also. It starts fine after running around town all day long. 10 or 20 stops. But over night, (first start of the day) I have to crank it over 7 or 8 times before it will start and then again run fine all day long.
Here is the kicker! On a FULL tank of gas it starts on the first or second try. On less than a half of tank it will take again 7 or 8 times before it starts. ( fuel pump or coolant temp. sensor or crank sensor???)
Fuel filters been changed twice since and installed new platinum plugs. 130,000 miles and been kept real nice maintance wise. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you.

burdawg

Has the fuel pressure and delivery flow been checked? Normally, with cold start problems I suspect the cold start enrichment, but that fuel level symptom wouldn't have anything to do with that.
You know that there was no TB in 2000 though, right? 2002 was the first year. They were introduced somewhat early in 2001, but still were a 2002 model.

autodude45

You know I heard that somewheres before on not being a trail blazer. Thats weird cause on my paper work it says 2000 Trail Blazer and the interior lining says Trail Blazer. On the emmissions decal under the hood it says 2000. Its a 4 wheel drive and 4.3 liter v6 -4 door.
Anyways, good question on the fuel pump pressure. I heard this particular model has to be exactly on specs. If just 1 or 2 lbs. off it will not start! (no access to fuel pressure gage)
Maybe the float level has somthing to do with it? (shorting somthing out) or maybe a pickup tube has a hole in it?
The only other problem is an 02 sensor code keeps popping up and I have to erase it.
Stumped in Kansas. lol

knickles

I have an '04 Trailblazer EXT with 5.3 l. A problem started recently where the vehicle would act as if it had a battery going bad. You would put the key in the ignition, turn it and nothing would happen. I was if it had no power from the battery. The power level gets so low that many times you cant even remove the key from the ignition and none of the lights or anything work. If i hook jumper cables to it, all the power comes back it will start right up and run flawlessly and will show a full battery charge on the dash. It may go a day or a week or so before it does it again. I changed the battery 2 weeks ago and still did not fix the problem. Had starter and alternator checked and they showed that they were fine.

brownsugarjrr

i have a 04 tb it starts great except when i put gas any ideas?

robg10

I'm at a loss. I turn the ignition, all the bells and whistles illuminate, but the engine won't turn over. Aside from that, the vehicle is locked in park, and when I depress the brake pedal, the shifter remains locked. I've tried to jump it, and nothing happens. Battery is good. Wondering if the problem lies within the theft deterrent system.

burdawg

Could be that. Also could be ignition switch, and there's other places it could be too. It's hard to pin it down without some troubleshooting. I think the first thing I would do is see if there's power getting to the starter solenoid when the ignition is turned to the start position.

robg10

Removed the starter motor, had it tested and it was no good. Bought a new starter, installed it, and the engine fired right up. Checked to be sure I could shift out of "park", and I could. Turned engine off, and then attempted to restart the vehicle. No joy. Same problem I had earlier. I haven't removed the new starter, but I have a feeling it is dead now. I believe there might be some gremlins within the electrical system, unless an ignition switch could cause all of this. Current state: turn the key to on position, fuel pump engages, but engine will not turn over. Vehicle is stuck in "park", as I cannot depress the shift release button.

trailblazergal

I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer, my husband paid cash for, two years ago, for my 50th birthday.
I have the stalling problem, amongst others.
Last year, I almost lost my life on the freeway, when suddenly everything lit up and bells were ringing, my heart was pounding out of my chest and I pulled over to the side of the freeway, luckily, I was in the slow lane.
Each time I take it in, and by the way, I am under warranty, they say they cannot, "Duplicate the stall", and send me home, Last week I took it in, as the gas gauge was bouncing around and they replaced a fuel sensor, when arrived home, the car's whole dash panel flashed, and lost all power WHILE IN DRIVE!
At present, I have contacted attorneys for the lemon law, here in California. As my husband just died eight weeks ago, and I cannot afford to fix the car at all anymore, even still under warranty. I have also contacted Chevy. This IS not acceptable, since I am afraid to drive it now.

shrek1990

mine still does it i put a new purge valve in and it still does it

mech101

I just changed the SEVERELY cracked manifold in my 03 TB . I put in a new O2 sen. and it stalled twice on my way home . both while waiting at red lights . the only thing i can think of is that something went haywire when i disconnected the battery .... Q . is there a way to un retard the system ??????

rray21

200k miles and running good with some engine miss. Changed rear disk pads, transmission screen and fluid, and spark plugs with new boots. Engine chug-a-lugged but would run and the service light blinked all the time. Removed the plugs to check and reset the springs in the boots. Engine ran even rougher. Replaced with AC Delco Ir plugs with the old ones and the old boots.
Engine stalled after about ten more minutes of rough idling and now won't start at all. Computer(not the dealer one) says pass-no codes. Nothing to clear or reset.

Next, dead battery and wouldn't even take a jump. New battery is good and lights up everything.

Won't start. Tries to start then pops the champagne cork for sound effects.

Service engine light remains lit. As do I !-)

Where do I troubleshoot from here? Any help is greatly appreciated.

TB dead in the driveway for now!

moklyek

Possibly a bad starter relay switch.

On a TB with 6 cylinder engine, locate the fuse box which is next to the battery.

Remove the two plastic covers of the fuse box.
The first (larger) cover has a diagram with the location of the fuses and switches.

(No.47) switch relay is top center in the fuse box, opposite end from where the positive/negative cables are connected into the fuse box.

Switch relay is square and gray color, sitting apart from other gray switches.

Remove (pull up on relay), then reinsert it back in same position.

TB started up right after that.

jagtx

Replaced a bad alternator last week. Now it starts and charges fine but I have a new problem. The idle seems OK without out the A/C on, but goes crazy when I turn it on. It dies when I come to stops and sometimes speeds up when I take my foot off the gas going over 35mph. I've been driving it around without A/C on and have only noticed a couple of minor surges when parking. Does anyone know which fuses I should check or any other causes of this issue?

frustrated37

First I have to say that I'm so glad I found this site. I have an 04 TB, 114,000 miles. Have had no problems until recently. I went out one morning and tried to start it. Nothing....no clicking no nothing. Thought it was the starter, but after a phone call to the mechanic and following some directions over the phone it was determined that it wasn't the starter, but the battery. Replaced the battery and now I have another problem all together. I can start the TB, drives fine, but when I turn the fan on for heat or cool air (not ac) then the RPM's drop to below half and it stalls out. Then if I'm driving and coming to a stop it does the same thing with the fan on. If I turn the fan off the RPM's drop but it doesn't stall. If I try the ac, it stalls. Can anyone please give me the answer on how to fix this problem?!! My mechanic can't figure it out and I need help. I'm a single mom with 2 kids and 2 jobs that I can't afford to lose!
Thanks in advance. :confuse:

desertstorm01

Hay, Did you ever get your TB fix. I would like to know.

autodude45

It sounds like either a bad computer or your mechanic needs to go and look inside your idle air control circuit. When ever you activate your defrost or ac settings your computer is suppose to raise and lower your idle and keep it from dieing. :shades:

62cowman

I also have 2000 chevy TRAIL BLAZER yes they made the trail blazer in 2000 and it will die going down the road but start right back up. I've only had this TB for two weeks and it's been at three shops and they all just scratch their head and say"Well I don't know". I had two fuel pumps put in it and no change. Everything else seems to work great ecept the radio now shows err instead of the time or station,have no idea if that meens anything. It still plays fine. I'm going to get it tommrow. So any ideas?

burdawg

In 2000 it was an S10 Blazer with the "trailblazer" option.

luvdiesel

I just joined looking for other TB user problems. I have the same A/C on car dies problem too. Just started when the battery would not charge. Bought new battery last weekend. Now idles great until i turn on the fan switch. Even if the A/c is off, the fan switch makes it vary in idle and usually stall, especially at stops. Definitely electric but what?
Does the dealer have any real answers?
Thanks

butch1017

What happens when the battery is replaced or cables disconnected, the on board computer loses its memory. When you start it up after new battery is installed, either the computer needs to be reprogrammed by a dealer or you can let it teach itself by driving it, starting and stopping often, turning the engine off, and restarting, this happened to me and it took me several days of driving to get the car back to normal. The quick fix is to take it to a dealer and have the computer reprogrammed with the correct parameters.

When you have the battery replaced, it is a good idea to have a second battery hooked up before disconnecting the bad battery. This way the computer will not lose its memory. Most reliable auto shops when replacing a battery will use this method when replacing the battery.

This happened to me and it took me several days of driving, starting, stopping before the computer reprogrammed itself. My trailblazer is now running fine. It is aggravating, to have to do it this way, but is cheaper than having the computer reprogrammed.

carmax21

I have a 2004 Trailblazer LS that is giving me a headache! About 6 months ago it started hesitating to start on cold starts(by hesitate I mean I would have to turn the key and hold it for about 5-10 secs before it would start) and now it is doing it ALL the time. I had a tune up done already(new spark plugs and fuel filter), I had the battery replaced and the fuel regulator replaced. My mechanic is stumped too, we are debating whether to continue with replacing the starter or fuel pump next. Any input would be great thanks!!

burdawg

I suggest you take to someone who will actually troubleshoot and find the problem, instead of throwing parts at it like it sounds has been done. There's all kind of problems that can cause the symptoms you describe, from simple to complex.
When you do get it started, how does it run? Smooth idle? Normal power?