Beth (64.12.117.68) - Fri Dec 26 22:25:40 2008

I have a 2002 Trailblazer with 160, 000 miles on it and have had no major problems until now. A few months back my vehicle just wouldn't start so I would have to have it jumped. Alternator was good so I bought a brand new battery hoping it would fix the problem. It has been doing fine until this past week. I do live in WI. Now this past week my vehicle decided not to start again, had it jumped 4 times in a week. Everything that has been tested comes back good. Has anyone else out there experienced this problem? We haven't a clue what is draining the battery. Once it starts it runs fine for a few days than when it sits for a while the battery goes dead. Anyone have a solution for this one? Thanks! I bought this SUV off the line so I am the only owner.

Reply #1 Dave (72.60.74.91) - Sat Dec 27 05:53:51 2008

Hi Beth I think I know the answer to the problem. The drain on the battery is a small short in the starter itself. Doesn't seem the place to look because the starter works. You said you had the alternator tested so the only thing always hooked to the battery with key off is starter. A way around and to diagnose it is to disconnect positive terminal every night or when car is going to sit a while. It doesnt die overnight because you recharge the battery full on the drive home with the alternator and the short in the starter is small making a slow drain only totally killing the battery after sitting a length of time. And I bet when you jump the car after sitting and use it it starts right up the next day. Can be frustrating the short in the starter will get worse eventually making the starter not work at all. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Dave

Reply #2 Chance Mueller (71.171.164.54) - Thu Jan 15 11:11:04 2009

I just go back from having mine tested at the dealership and they came back with a small but troublesome short in the BCM (body control module) that is powered up when the key is in the ignition. After a couple hours of testing, the mechanic came back with the simple soluiton to make sure the key is out of the ignition whenever it is not running, this will turn off the BCM.

Hope this helps

Reply #3 Bonnie Perras (216.197.135.120) - Tue Jan 27 21:21:54 2009

I have 2002 Chevy Trailblazer and have had nothing but problems for the last 8 months. You come out to start it in the morning and its dead. You jump start it and its good until the next day or two and then the same thing. I've had it at the dealership at least 10 times and it won't seem to happen to them and they can't find anything wrong. I've replaced the starter, the battery 4 times, a couple of relays and I am going to replace the Alternator this weekend if my husband can somehow get the old one out. (Tried once already, but its tough to get at. Might need a special wrench? space is so small not sure we can get it out. Obviously this is not a an ucommon problem, why can't the dealerships figure this out? I am very frustrated. Does anybody have any tips on getting the old Alternator out?

Reply #4 jason (24.101.64.239) - Mon Feb 23 20:57:36 2009

i have two 2008 trailblazers. no problems with either one for 14 months. the last 2 months i have had to jump one or the other or both a dozen or so times. something is draining the battery. seems to happen after tb sits for two or more days. happens more often the colder it gets. any other suggestions?

Reply #5 gabby (65.60.75.98) - Tue Jun 2 21:58:55 2009

Hello I'm having the same problem with my 2002 Trailblazer. I just replaced the battery, the iginition switch and it has not fixed the problem. My car will start one day and then completely dead the next, very disappointing and frustrating spending 36k on a vehicle that is completely unreliable.

Has anyone been able to figure out what the problem was ?

Reply #6 Nichole (67.90.155.98) - Thu Jun 4 11:41:11 2009

Hello I have a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer and I replaced the orignal battery in 2007 with no problems, now in 2009 i have had to replaced that battery and every since i did that when i try to cut on the Air the car idles down, one person said the car computer has to relearn. WTH EVERYTHING YOU DO TO THESE EXPENSIVE TRUCKS HAS TO BE A COSTLY REPROGRAMMING. Please help.

Reply #7 Bob (24.239.63.163) - Tue Jun 9 14:13:33 2009

Battery drains after sitting for a couple of days. Thia started happening after I changed the first battery. Put in new battery when it sits for a few days the battery is is deader than dead. If I run the truck every day it starts fine

I noticed that the discharge light stays on longer than it should, but it does go out and stay out.

The volt gauge cranks at 9 volts and stays there for a few minutes and goes to 12 to 14 volts and runs there.

This is a 2002 Siverado deisel.

What is the answer

Reply #8 Earl (173.27.90.225) - Mon Jul 20 23:38:01 2009

I have a 96 trailblazer that all the sudden quit running.My fuel guage is off and it ran out of fuel.I replaced the fuel filter and the pump twice now.It run the first time a few hours then after the second pump it ran a couple days again it quit the shop can't figure it out any help will be greatly appreciated.

Reply #9 Earl (173.27.90.225) - Mon Jul 20 23:41:53 2009

I have a 96 trailblazer4.3 that all the sudden quit running.My fuel guage is off and it ran out of fuel.I replaced the fuel filter and the pump twice now.It run the first time a few hours then after the second pump it ran a couple days again it quit the shop can't figure it out any help will be greatly appreciated.

Reply #10 jerry (71.61.104.16) - Mon Aug 17 22:13:15 2009

I have a 2oo2 trailblazer."something is draining battery"bought new battery, next morning it was dead!Jump started up right now.Runs good, volt meter between 13 to 14.I had alternator tested and is fine.It used to last about 2 to 3 hrs. before dying.4 months now and using a battery jump pack to start it every time.It only has a charge for about 15 min. before dying.There is some kind of air pump behind drivers door within plastic molding on frame, inside of truck.It is running all the time, so I unplugged it and no change to battery, I found hvac fuse that is on that circuit and pulled it.No change to battery.Sometimes the clock is reset to 1200 in the morning with dead battery, and sometimes it still has accurate time with dead battery.When you turn ignition key there isn't a hint of power in the battery but the lights may still be working some.

Reply #11 Joe (75.173.27.6) - Sat Aug 22 15:12:57 2009

My 2005 Trailblazer has the dead battery problem even after I replaced the battery. This vehicle has computer controlled modules that are supposed to go to sleep (almost no battery drain) when the ignition is turned off and the key removed.

On my vehicle, one of the modules fails to go to sleep and pulls about 1.5 amps even though everything is off. It only does this once in a while (1 or 2 months between problems) but it kills the battery completely. I recharge the battery and no problems for a while.

I still haven't isolated the problem, but I installed a current monitor of my own design so that I can see how much current is being drawn.

I'm hoping to catch it in the act and then pull fuses until I can isolate the offending module.

I wish I had better information for you, but I hope this helps

in understanding what's going on.

PS: When I'm travelling and can't afford a dead battery, I disconnect the negative battery terminal (5/16" wrench) when I'm leaving the vehicle overnight. If the battery isn't connected, it can't drain.

Joe

Reply #12 AC (74.174.5.130) - Mon Oct 19 13:52:56 2009

I have a 2002 Trailblazer that I've been driving for the past 6 years. I now have over 190K miles and have never had any problems until now. I replaced the alternator about 3 weeks ago when, I came to start the car one morning and it didn't start. Jumped it off and it ran fine for a few days. Until one day the battery light came on while driving and the LED dispay read, "battery not charging". Battery checked to be ok but mechanics said alternator was bad. Replaced the alternator now this is about the fourth time I turn the ignition and nothing. Not even a sound. I fiddle with the key for awhile and it starts. It's getting pretty scary. Do I have to replace the starter now? Help.

Reply #13 Eric (69.149.223.99) - Sun Oct 25 19:41:10 2009

Hey guys, this is not a trail blazer problem its a GM problem. I have a 02 impala LS and im having the same problem. Have ur mechanic test ur body control module.us It comtrols ur elictrical system, including ur battery rundown protection. Im replacing my BCM this week. If u have n e questions please email me.

Reply #14 Merrilee Agana (70.16.72.152) - Sat Nov 21 19:20:00 2009

I also have a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer LT. We bought it brand new in July of 07 and we have had a problem from the beginning. If it sets over the weekend it will not start. Something keeps draining the battery. If you give it a jump it will start right up. but if it sets you have to do it all over again. Has anyone figured out what is doing it?

Merrilee

Name:           
E-Mail:         

Optional (please add to our directory first)
Web Link:       
Link Title:     

Message: