Wife's Trailblazer!
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Wife's Trailblazer!
I was hoping someone might know what the prob is with our 2003 Trailblazer. I know, we should have never bought a Chevy!
Anyway, today she was going in reverse when it stalled. She started back up and went on. She said it shook the whole way home.
I started it later and its not so much a shake as a heavy vibration. It is coming from the engine and it is most noticeable at idle. I dont think its a broken motor mount because there is no "jump" when I revv the motor. I drove it down the road and did not notice any reduced power.
Any ideas?
Anyway, today she was going in reverse when it stalled. She started back up and went on. She said it shook the whole way home.
I started it later and its not so much a shake as a heavy vibration. It is coming from the engine and it is most noticeable at idle. I dont think its a broken motor mount because there is no "jump" when I revv the motor. I drove it down the road and did not notice any reduced power.
Any ideas?
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Get it scanned for DTCs. If you don't have a reader you can go to autozone and have the codes checked for free. If theres codes they should point you in the right direction. Sort of sounds like a misfire.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 126
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From: Indianapolis
Hey- you can take heart in one thing- it could be a LOT worse. She could have a Durango.
In four years of ownership, the Durango has given us more electrical problems than our last four Fords put together.
In four years of ownership, the Durango has given us more electrical problems than our last four Fords put together.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,603
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From: St Louis
I would say it is a misfire as well, if not a misfire maybe the Cam Position sensor. You wont know until you pull the codes though. Even then it may not retain the code. I ended up buying a code reader for OBDII systems and use it to scan for codes as I drive. It has helped give me a starting point often enough to justify its cost, especially after paying a bill every time the dealership scans for it on a 2000 maxima.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Coleman, Wisconsin
If the light was consistantly flashing on and off, its an emissions problem....Commonly caused by a severe misfire.
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Guy at Advance told my wife that there is a misfire in cylinder #3.
I guess I'll start with plugs and wires first.
I guess I'll start with plugs and wires first.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: nebraska
Stupid trailblazers. A neighbor had all kinds off grief with his. I could go in to detail but I would take up an entire page with his problems. Hope you get it fixed. But hey it has a bowtie on the grill instead off the blue oval. In my experience. If you drive a Chevy expect to be stranded somewhere. With a Ford youll make it home without problems.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 364
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From: Ca
Not too familiar with chebby's, but i'm guessing distributor-less. Might want to test the coil, if new plugs and wires don't do it.
Also, do some searching online. It seems there was a service bulletin for Trailblazers. Something to do with leaking intake valves. You're not alone on the #3 misfire, as it may seem.
Also, do some searching online. It seems there was a service bulletin for Trailblazers. Something to do with leaking intake valves. You're not alone on the #3 misfire, as it may seem.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 113
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From: Newtown, CT
Probably one of the coil packs - when one goes bad, it runs exactly as you describe. (The Ford's do it too...neighbors Expedition just went through 3 coil packs. Each time we diagnosed and repaired one, another would go - 3 in total.) He just traded it (for $2300!) for an '06 F150 Crew cab. Expedition was a '99 w/10x miles on it.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Gray, TN
Boss 50 is right, the only thing that will make the check engine light flash is a severe misfire. That means that the engine is misfiring bad enough to damage the catalytic converter(s). It would be best to avoid driving it at all until repaired. Its not hard to diagnose once you narrow down which cylinder(s) is misfiring. I'd lose the Trailblazer, they're nothing but trouble.... weak transmissions, crappy expensive instrument clusters, squeeky suspension bushings, a front differential inside the oil pan.... etc Not that the new explorers with their independent rear suspension, and lousy Jaguar transmission are much better, hehe.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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I've done my fair share of work on trailblazers at work. The 4.2L motor uses coil on plug that is similar to the COP on a ford mod motor. The coils are kinda buried under the upper intake tube and silencer assembly. There are 2 10mm bolts that you have to remove that are on the right side of the box (standing in front of the truck looking at the engine). Take those two off and the intake hose off and it will lift up. There you will see the coil packs which are held in by one 10mm bolt each. Remove the connector and lift the entire coil out.
Now since your TB is a 2003 there is something I want you to look at. If the coil boot is orange or like a white chalky substance then water has gotten into that coil and possibly others. This stems from the hood to body seal right above the intake. GM has an updated seal that raises the center part section that allows water to travel around the intake and away from the coils.
This would be my starting point as this was a common problem up until about 05 or so. That should be enough to get you started and hope it helps.
Now since your TB is a 2003 there is something I want you to look at. If the coil boot is orange or like a white chalky substance then water has gotten into that coil and possibly others. This stems from the hood to body seal right above the intake. GM has an updated seal that raises the center part section that allows water to travel around the intake and away from the coils.
This would be my starting point as this was a common problem up until about 05 or so. That should be enough to get you started and hope it helps.
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Wow, thanks for all the great responses. I should have taken a look today but I was tied up with my radius arm bushing replacement.
The guy at Advance said #3 cylinder. Does that mean 3rd from the front or 3rd in firing order?
The guy at Advance said #3 cylinder. Does that mean 3rd from the front or 3rd in firing order?