13th Sep 2007, 09:44

Another 2003 TB with a fan clutch failure. 53k miles.

I spoke with two very unhelpful customer service reps at GM who could not tell me what is included in recall parameters. I received the PO Box in Detroit for letter writing. I encourage all to do the same. PO Box 33170, Detroit, Michigan 48232-5170. How are some of us getting partial reimbursement and others nothing? Please share the magic as I am out $800 for the repair.

17th Sep 2007, 10:08

I to have been struck by the clutch fan problem. I have 70,000 miles on it, but mine was changed at 20,000 also and is back again. Now the extended warranty is up. Anyone know if you can remove the clutch and just install a regular fan. It would run all the time, but should be better than changing the clutch every 40,000 miles.

17th Sep 2007, 15:23

Turned my 2002 TB on this AM to the jet engine noise. I had noticed it earlier every once in a while during the morning. Thought it was just "warming up". However today it did not go away.

Took it to my Chevy Dealer and it will cost 800 to fix the...yep..you guessed it... clutch fan.

I emailed GM regarding assistance and will also be sending a letter to the address in the above post.

23rd Sep 2007, 13:09

I just got my 2003 TB with 101.000 miles, yesterday to be fixed, same problem, the fan clutch. It cost me $720.

I hope not to fixed again until trade it for a Toyota or Nissan.

24th Sep 2007, 07:22

OH MY GOD!!!... Is this a on-going problem with Trail Blazer's. My 2002 TB is having the same problem. Lucky for me, my neighbor is fixing my truck, for free, and I just had to pay for the fan clutch. $200.00. Once this is fixed, I am going straight to another dealership and trading this piece of junk in. Remember back in the day when your parents told you never buy an American car? Now I see why. Toyota, Nissan, I am on my way!!!

27th Sep 2007, 23:36

42,000 miles and mine is getting loud, service light has not come on yet.

Also have a antifreeze leak, was wondering if the two were connected?

Also the service man at the local dealer said to give the GM service center a call.

18002221020.

To put in a claim or try a refund.

Any other advice would be much appreciated.

5th Oct 2007, 23:16

OMG! I have the same fan clutch problem! It didn't show up on a diagnostic, I replaced the screen in the transmission and the water pump. I'm up to $300 in repairs. Since the car still roars and has no pick up at all, I thought I'd have to replace the tranny -- now I know that the fan clutch is the culprit, thanks to all who have written their comments. The warranty is expired so I'll take my TrailBlazer to my local mechanic. I still love my TB, this is the first serious problem I've had with it, at 50 thousand miles I think I've been lucky.

9th Oct 2007, 06:41

Add me to the list... 2002 Trailblazer LS. 76K miles... used to make the "jet engine" sound a little when first driven in the morning,... Now its its 100%.. Called GM, got the "no known issue" line. I'm dropping the truck at my mechanic tomorrow, I can't wait to repair this.

I do think I will write a letter to the Attorney General, and GM, explaining how widespread this problem appears to be. I might even include a link to this full message thread. The fact of the matter is that you don't need to look hard to find that this is a big issue. I typed "Trailblazer loud accelerate" into google, and a TON of info on the fan clutch came up.. including this thread..

-jerm!

10th Oct 2007, 12:54

2002 Trailblazer - 80,000 miles on it - just had fan clutch replaced AND the lf front hub bearings and rt front stabilizer link as well - over $500 in parts alone - and now the humming noise is still there when driving - am thinking the rt front hub bearings bad, too now. Every so often the Service 4 wheel drive light comes on (after towing my boat 50+ miles) but everything checks out OK when getting serviced. HORRIBLE on gas - can't wait to trade this puppy in... just don't feel like having a car payment again - what to do..

10th Oct 2007, 13:57

Add a 2003 Envoy to the mix - Jet engine sound. Fan clutch needs to be replaced. Shop foreman told me it was a systemic GM problem. GM told me a "few" have this problem, but offered no help. Why does GM bother offering a help line when no one ever gets any. I've been a GM guy for 30 years. No longer. Hello Toyota.

Scotty.

10th Oct 2007, 17:43

You can add another one to the list. I've got a 2002 LS with 98k miles on it. I called the local dealership service department about it, and they said it is a standard problem and they stock 10X the recommended number of replacement clutches because they use so many. When I called GM the operator told me they didn't have any record of similar problems from others. When I mentioned what the service manager told me, I was told that I must be making it up because they (GM) obviously knows more than I do. I asked to speak to a supervisor and the guy put me on hold for a while then dropped the call. GM has lost a customer for life!

Does anyone know if driving my truck for a while with this problem is going to do any damage? I really can't afford the $750 it is going to take to make the repair.

Thanks.

11th Oct 2007, 19:49

10-11-07

WOW!! We have a 2003 Trailblazer, has 53,400 miles.

Just driving one day and starting hearing a loud, fan, air like noise. Took it in Monday and told them and let them listen to the noise. And told them about my transmission slipping, they fixed my transmission.

Picked it up today, and drove out of the dealership and the noise was just as loud. They could not figure out it was my clutch fan. But I, not even know what a clutch fan is or what it does, or that I even had one, went on the Internet and found out the problem in about 15-20 minutes. I guess I will be going back to the dealership again.

Good thing we got the extended warranty.

Thank you everyone for your help!!!

22nd Oct 2007, 10:10

I didn't pay anything for my Fan Clutch repair. I am the one who posted a comment on August 28 and later about GM picking up half. My dealer ended up eating the rest of the cost. When I first called GM, I reached a call center probably in India and the guy tried to blow me off too, but I kept repeating he did not understand what I was telling him and kindly requested to be connected to someone else. After a long hold time I was connected to a woman in Detroit who was familiar with the problem. Do not let the foreign call centers try to get rid of you. Be persistent and from what my service manager told me, if you do not act like a jerk, you will be helped.