Warranty Soon to Expire

General GM · May 25, 2004

We purchased our 2002 TB EXT in December with 20K. At our current pace of mileage, we will be out of warranty in the next 90 days. I have some nusiance problems that I would like to see addressed while it's still on GM's dime. I'm also wondering if anyone else is seeing similar problems with their 2002.

1. Overheating. In hot weather, the 4.2 seems to run hotter than I like. Not hot enough that it is really serious, but enough where the temp gauge gets about 2/3 of the way to hot vs. the typical 1/2. The real concern here is I've seen this happen in heavy traffic even in speeds of 40-50 mph in addition to "stop and go" driving. Don't know it this is an issue best addressed by an Efan mod or perhaps the T-stat is already shot.

2. Grinding on U turn. Making either a LH or RH turn, if it's a full circle turn I hear a grinding similar to the tires rubbing the fender. This is more pronounced in cold weather. The grinding can also be felt in the steering wheel. It's like something needs to be lubed, but what?

3. Fueling. Refuleing in hot weather can be a real chore. The gas pumps (we have tried several) seem to cut off after a few seconds as if the tank is full. This is much less of a problem in cooler weather, but in the case when the tank really is full, it does not cut off soon enough and it ends up puking gas a second or two after the pump shuts off. Gas is too expensive to spill plus it is environment unfriendly.

Overall, we like the car. The gas milage has really improved with warm weather. The dual zone A/C does an excellent job of cooling the interior. I would really like to get these issues repaired but I don't want to give the car up for a few days only to hear they "could not duplicate" these nusiance problems.

Ideas?

03TRAILEXT · May 25, 2004

1 normal

2 ???? sorry

3 That happen with the new vapor recovery pumps, its the pump not the car. Happens on my other car too

General GM · May 25, 2004

1 normal
2 ???? sorry

3 That happen with the new vapor recovery pumps, its the pump not the car. Happens on my other car too

1. None of my other GM vehicles run hot in traffic.

2. I have recently reveiwed some posts on another forum that suggest my sway bar end links need to be replaced. I will address this with the dealer, apparently it is very common.

3. None of my other GM vehicles are difficult to refuel on the vapor recovery pumps.

ness5575 · May 25, 2004

3. i had a similar problem on my truck. i cant remember off the top of my head what they changed, but there was some sort of check valve in the line before it hits the tank. this valve was bad and they needed to change it out - solved the problem.

JPNNH · May 26, 2004

I remember reading there was a TSB on the #3 fueling problem...They replace the inlet pipe with a different designed one...If I find it I'll post it here...Joel

JPNNH · May 26, 2004

Found it...I copied/pasted it from my other Trailblazer site I belong to: Good Luck

TSB for problems of putting gas in your TB by Ronbo, 4/5/2004 19:35 ET

Category - Recalls and Service Bulletins

I know a lot of you out there have this problem. If you have problem of not being able to set the pump handle on automatic while your gas tank fills up, or if you have a problem while the pump handle is on automatic but when it shuts off spills a puddle of gas on the ground I have a fix for you.

I have had this problem for the 8 months I have had my 03 TB.

I put this out on this site for discussion on 3-26-04 and a nice person that goes by Rbarrios provided me with the TSB for the fix.

It is: TSB 04-06-04-003 ( 1-12-04) Your dealer can look it up

Mine did and I had the new parts put on today and it only took 30 min to do and now it takes gas fine on automatic at any station and shuts off when full will no spill onto the ground.

re: TSB for problems of putting gas in your TB by Pete,4/7/2004 15:33 ET

I have this problem too. I usually go to one specific gas station that works fine. Was on the way to work today and saw they were replacing their nozzles, etc. so who knows what I may be in for. Can I assume the above fix is covered under the warranty?

re: TSB for problems of putting gas in your TB by Ronbo,4/7/2004 17:07 ET

Yes it is covered under factory warranty. Just go to your dealer with the TSB Number and they can look it up and order the parts. It only took about 30 min. to install.

Before I had it fixed I could only go to one station out of nine in my town and set the handle on automatic. Now all the stations will let it be on automatic. It was rough during the winter months having to stand outside of TB to fill up.

Hope this helps

General GM · May 26, 2004

Thanks for the update on the TSB. I will research this and have the dealer repair the same time as the sway bar end links are replaced. Very good information.

MA Trailblazer · June 23, 2004

My temp gauge in my 2002 TB with the I6 would run about 3/4 of the way in hot weather. When I would read the coolant temp with Autotap is was @ 215-225.

I buddy got a 2003 TB with the I6 and his temp gauge would never go above the middle mark. ( 210 on gauge ) When I checked his with Autotap his coolant temp was @ 195-200.

I went to the dealer to complain and they installed a new thermostat. My truck now runs in the 195-200 range with Autotap and the gauge NEVER goes above 210.

Bottom line, get the dealer to replace the thermostat under warranty.

John