Trailblazer died

[benz01]

Been a lurker for awhile now but this is really the first time I've had an issue. This morning, very early this morning my '02 Trailblazer died on me while driving. No warning, it just stopped. The gauges went crazy, it dinged at me, and only the lights in the lower left of the panel lit up. I have battery power to the interior lights, emergency flashers, and radio but the truck will not even try to start. Immediately after this happened, it would turn over but would not start. Any thoughts or insight you could provide would be very much appreciated.

It's a 2003 Trailblazer EXT, 6-cylinder, RWD. It's got 105013 miles on it. I've had no major issues with it to this point.

Thanks again for any help or ideas.
-Brandon

 

[The_Roadie]

Got a voltmeter and want to troubleshoot it? Or start swapping parts? There is a connection in the ignition switch that could cause those symptoms but it could also be a grounding or fuse block power feed problem.

 

[benz01]

I do have a voltmeter. The tow truck driver asked how old my battery was, which I do not remember. I hooked up to another vehicle and waited 5-10 or so and still nothing. Probably going to take it in and have it checked to rule it out. In the meantime, where do I need to check to start troubleshooting the ignition switch, grounding, and fuse block?

 

[The_Roadie]

Search for a thread titled "intermittent starting problem". All in there.

 

[gmcman]

Check under the intake resonator for any wires that appear to be broken, there's a fuel injector harness near the back half of the valve cover, make sure it's connected and no rodents got a hold of it.

Check your battery cables for tightness.

The ignition switch has been a well known culprit.

 

[gmcman]

I also have to ask.......does it have fuel? Does the fuel pump energize for a few seconds when you turn the key?

 

[CaptainXL]

I also have to ask.......does it have fuel? Does the fuel pump energize for a few seconds when you turn the key?

Check your battery cables for tightness.

...and check the battery bolts and terminals for corrosion.

 

[The_Roadie]

Here's the link:
http://gmtnation.com/f23/intermitte...t-gas-gauge-works-no-fuel-pump-no-crank-5999/

 

[6716]

I also have to ask.......does it have fuel? Does the fuel pump energize for a few seconds when you turn the key?

..... been there

 

[benz01]

Before it quit the fuel gauge indicated there was fuel. I looked for anything out of the ordinary, no disconnected wires or nothing broken. The terminals do not have corrosion. I read through the tread you were talking about and pulled/checked fuses and still nothing. When I turn the key to ON, the only light on the panel is the battery light, nothing else is on. I don't hear the fuel pump or anything kick on. Turn the key to start and still nothing. No clicks from the starter or anything, it's all dead.

 

[The_Roadie]

A voltmeter applied to the ignition switch can help you troubleshoot this in ten minutes, using the wire color guide in the linked thread. It will take you longer to get the bottom cover off the steering wheel column.

 

[benz01]

Damn the cover was tough to get off. So if I understand your wire color guide, with the key in RUN I should be seeing voltage from the Red and White, Red and Orange, Red/White and Brown, Red/White and Pink?

 

[benz01]

That was it. As soon as I put the new ignition switch in the dash lit up. Thanks for everyone's help but most of all thank you Roadie.

 

[The_Roadie]

Glad it was a cheap fix and we kept you out of the dealer's clutches. Thanks for the kind words but a hundred other folks here were probably shouting the same thing into their monitors. IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH!!!

Heck, there are probably 2 or 3 diagnosguessers back on Trailvoy that could have figured this one out. Of course, they guess Ignition Switch on everything including end link thunking. Even a dead clock is right twice a day.

 

[benz01]

As I was waiting for the tow early this morning, the ignition switch was my gut feel. I got away from that after reading about some of the other possibilities. But anyways it is fixed now. Thanks again.

 

[CaptainXL]

Good job.

I would say its safe to say that if you have a 2004 or earlier you should get the ignition switch replaced asap. Seen too many of these stories.

 

[benz01]

I remember reading about this happening years ago but I didn't think about it today. I was lucky that it stopped on an entrance ramp before I accelerated to 70. That would have been an adventure.

 

[Trios]

...Heck, there are probably 2 or 3 diagnosguessers...

For some reason, I can't read this word and not think of a dinosaur looking at a schematic with a question mark over its head. I know it's 'diagno' and not 'dino,' but that's where my brain went.

 

[MAY03LT]

diagnosguessers

LMAO.

I would say its safe to say that if you have a 2004 or earlier you should get the ignition switch replaced asap. Seen too many of these stories.

True that.

 

[Matt]

but a hundred other folks here were probably shouting the same thing into their monitors. IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH!!!

I was one of them...but I don't like being wrong either, so I kept my mouth shut.

 

[Black_tb]

thinking this be will be on my " list" to replace this summer rather do it in the comfort of my driveway....

 

[The_Roadie]

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