[06Trailblazer]

I have a 06 Trailblazer LT 2wd with the 4.2 and 75,000 miles. Sometimes at start, the starter takes a second to engage and sounds like its dragging and inside the car the lights dim more than usual, radio goes blank and looses the correct time and also tunes to AM. I have read many issues people have had, but most have a no start issue. Mine still starts and only does the electrical problem intermittently. I just replaced the battery two weeks ago. While the truck is running the volt gauge on the dash is at 14v and I have checked the alternator output it is at 14 to15v. The old battery was the O.E. that when tested went down to 7.96 volts and tester at the store said bad battery. The truck cranked fine till the day before yesterday the electrical issues came about. Anyone had this? Could it be starter, ignition or neutral safety switch? Also while driving at times a 1st to 2nd upshift is harsh, kinda jerks hard. Anyone had this problem? Thanks for any info

 

[06Trailblazer]

:tiphat Welcome :tiphat . Definitely check the battery cables. When the battery is changed the plastic cover on the cable can get caught between the cable and the battery causing a bad connection. that would also explain the radio problems.

I like to say, "what have I done lately" and look there first.

I would get the new battery tested.

Battery ok, then check all connections and the condition of the large battery cables.

If there are ok, you need to have the starter tested, but I think it's a battery problem.

I did go back and remove the cables and reconnected them and still have the same starting issues. I even spent the extra to buy a A/C Delco battery, but after this I am going to have it tested to see. The battery has been in the truck only two weeks and at first there were no issues and this just started day before yesterday and only happens intermittently, some starts are fine, some sound like you have a weak battery and the radio goes haywire.

 

[06Trailblazer]

To everyone, thanks for the help, the latest news

Test the battery. Triple check your connections. Even if they are tight, make sure there is no corrosion. Check the connection to the main fuse as well. It is located right next to the battery in the fuse box. If not, it could end up being a starter issue. Before buying anything else, get a charging system diagnostic if it isn't the battery.

I did take it to the dealership where the truck was purchased. It was checked with the handheld tester, it indicated a low start voltage 9.35v. The technician with the tester said he was unsure. I thought that since it was a low start voltage, the starter could be going out. The truck is slow to crank after it sits for a few hours. The other tech said it would have to be placed on a draw test to see what was pulling voltage. I have seen new batteries be bad at the purchase as well, and the dealership will warranty out the battery. I have checked and rechecked connections and there was no corrosion on the battery at all. After arriving home at the dealer I removed the battery cover to check everything once more and when I started the truck back up the A/C clutch would not engauge the controls on the inside indicated it should be on and the temp gauge was inop as well. I hate electrical problems, you throw alot of money at them and still be chasing issues. The O.E. 6 year Delco battery was 3 yrs old and it was only showing 7.96v under load and of course the battery tester readout was bad battery and it was out of warranty also. Going back to dealership tomorrow for the draw test unless the problems I had today shed any light on ideas on what the problem could be. Charging the battery tonight and going to check it to see if the voltage drops while it sits in the car. I want to add, that I drove to Autozone and tested the battery and alternator, there battery was weak, said to charge and retest, this was after the dealer said the battery was good, alt output was 13.99v and peak amps was 152, diode pattern was good.

 

[06Trailblazer]

Problem Solved

Returned to the dealership and test was ran to insure nothing was shorting out or drawing from the battery while it was sitting. A you guys were right, the new battery was defective, it only had 346 cranking amps and it showed a good charge, but as the technician put it the "battery health" was poor. So battery exchanged and truck runs great. Thanks for all the advice! I like to see what on the net or read about other problems to learn more as to what to expect. This Trailblazer was the replacement of our family vehicle a 96 Blazer LS which I still have with a 178k miles and still going and the 96 Blazer was a replacement for a 88 Blazer that had 220K on it when I sold it. I have always driven GM vehicles and they all have their problems from time to time, but you can't beat them.