Intermittant gauge/light issue w/electric issues...

Asked by Mark May 08, 2017 at 08:26 PM about the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I'm at 180,000 miles. 18 months ago I had sluggish/intermittent gauges...had them replaced...fixed that problem. At 90,000 though I had an issue that appears to have raised it's ugly head again recently. I notice the display readout flashes then the fuel/alt/out/batt gauges go to 0, do have tach and spedo. Then the batt, ABS, parking brake and no airbag lights go on as well. Then suddenly going down the road...'A-bra-ca-da-bra"...magically, it's normal for 2 minutes...then 'poof'...back to acting up.Most of the time it will run but when it's at it's worst... my key fob, all door locks and power windows along w/no vehicle starting!!! I absolutely hate dealers...I've caught them many times trying to bend me over. I do have a mechanic I feel I can trust...just trying to get some in site before I bite the bullet! HELP...

2 Answers

11,225

With guages acting whacko, look to you ignition switch to be the culprit. Pretty common on our platform.

4 people found this helpful.
20

Had the same issue last year. Apparently these things operate on two separate data systems of some sort. A high speed and a low speed. The engine, tranny and such run on the high speed. And things such as the door control modules(for the windows, locks, heated seats, etc), radio, gauges, a/c, and who knows what else runs on the low speed. If one of these things mess up, or is going out it will screw everything else up that is on that system. My passenger window controls had been going out for awhile and I hadn't fixed it, then I started having exactly the same symptoms as you. Took it to an automotive electrician and he found the bad module, unplugged it, and everything was fine. Bought a used one on eBay for $35. Problem solved. Since then, my oil pressure gauge has been dropping to zero at an idle, about a month or so of this. Two days ago, all those same symptoms came back. Exact same symptoms. I'm online right now, looking for where that sensor is located so I can unplug it or replace it to see if that's the root of my problem this time. My suggestion is that you've been having a problem of some sort like this-that's where I would start. Shadetree mechanic here, not a pro but I'll try to answer what questions you have if I can. JFRagland76@gmail.com

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    FJ4072
    Reputation
    7,470
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    3,180
  • #3
    bigdogracer
    Reputation
    2,740
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Blazer
18 Great Deals out of 1,138 listings starting at $3,000
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
200 Great Deals out of 8,052 listings starting at $1,500
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
11 Great Deals out of 832 listings starting at $9,980
Used Chevrolet Equinox
102 Great Deals out of 3,331 listings starting at $1,695
Used Toyota RAV4
127 Great Deals out of 3,065 listings starting at $4,999
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
114 Great Deals out of 3,641 listings starting at $5,555
Used Honda CR-V
181 Great Deals out of 5,013 listings starting at $440
Used Chevrolet Colorado
40 Great Deals out of 1,233 listings starting at $4,995
Used Jeep Wrangler
142 Great Deals out of 5,984 listings starting at $6,500
Used Chevrolet Malibu
59 Great Deals out of 1,067 listings starting at $1,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.