Your Chevy Trailblazer’s climate control problems may have a simple fix—like recalibrating the system—or be a sign of something deeper, like a refrigerant leak or faulty air compressor.
When your A/C gives out on a hot summer’s day or your heat won’t work in the dead of winter, your car’s HVAC system is to blame. But the reason for the problem can vary from a simple blown fuse to a faulty air compressor—and figuring out what the real problem is can be difficult.
Enter Jerry
, the licensed broker app known for saving drivers money on car insurance
. In this article, we cover the basics of troubleshooting your Chevy Trailblazer’s A/C problems, including how to save money on a mechanic by recalibrating the system yourself (and find a lower Chevy Trailblazer insurance cost
!). 
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Chevy Trailblazer climate control reset instructions
If the climate control system in your Chevy Trailblazer is broken, it could be the result of potential problems like electrical malfunctions, refrigerant leaks, or even a faulty air compressor.
Those are the most common reasons for a Trailblazer’s HVAC system to turn haywire—and depending on the root of the issue, you may need more professional assistance.
But before you rush to your nearest mechanic, it’s worthwhile to run a climate control reset first. If you suspect the HVAC issue in your Trailblazer is electrical, a system reset can correct minor bugs and restore your HVAC to working order.
Below are the steps to follow to recalibrate your HVAC actuator in a GM vehicle:
Step 1: Turn off the car. When dealing with electrical fuses in your car, it’s best to make sure the engine is off first!
Step 2: Disconnect the battery for one minute. Alternatively, you can remove the HVAC 10 amp fuse in the fuse box, which is typically located in the engine compartment. This can vary by model year, so be sure to check your owner’s manual to confirm the location of your car’s fuse box.
Step 3: Reconnect the battery. If you chose to remove the HVAC amp fuse instead, reconnect it.
Step 4: Start your engine. DO NOT touch the A/C controls yet! First, let the car run for one to two minutes.
Step 5: Turn off the ignition for 10 to 20 seconds, then restart your engine and test the A/C controls.
Following these steps should reset your Chevy Trailblazer’s climate controls automatically. But if the A/C’s still not working, it may be time to do some more troubleshooting.
Early Chevy models climate control reset instructions
If you own an older Trailblazer model released in the early 2000s, you might have to try a different method to reset your climate controls.
Upgrades to the Trailblazer’s HVAC controls over the years have made the process of resetting newer systems slightly different than in older ones. If you own an early 2000s Trailblazer, try these steps instead:
Step 1: Park your vehicle outside (or keep the garage doors open) and turn on your key. All in all, recalibrating your A/C will take about 5-7 minutes and require you to run your car for at least two minutes.
Step 2: Set the A/C on auto control. Even if your system isn’t working properly, let it automatically take over for now while you continue with the reset.
Step 3: Turn the ignition back off. Make sure the A/C is still set on auto; when your car starts again, it should automatically turn on the A/C too, which is necessary for recalibrating the system.
Step 4: Locate the fuse box. Keep your engine off for this part! Most of the time, you’ll find your fuse box in the engine compartment beneath the hood, toward the driver’s side. Sometimes, it will be labeled as the “Fuse and Relay box.”
Its exact placement can vary by model year, so you may need to consult your owner’s manual for the exact location in your Trailblazer.
Step 5: Locate and remove the HVAC battery fuse. Once you remove the cover, you’ll notice markings inside the lid that serve as a diagram of your fuse box, and you can use it to figure out which fuse is the HVAC battery fuse. Look for a red 10-amp fuse.
Step 6: Inspect the HVAC battery fuse. If it’s blown, now is the perfect time to replace it. If it’s not, wait 60 seconds before reconnecting it. Your HVAC ECM needs at least a minute to reset itself. After a minute, you can reinstall the fuse; this should restore your car’s A/C back to factory mode.
Step 7: Start your engine. Your A/C should automatically start blowing—and it should also be automatically set at 74 degrees. This is the original temperature at which your A/C was set in the factory and a sign that your system is resetting itself. DO NOT touch your A/C controls for at least 60 seconds.
Step 8: Shut off the engine for 10 to 20 seconds. Make sure you don’t leave it off for longer than 30 seconds, or the reset may not work.
Step 9: Start your vehicle and test the A/C.
If all your A/C needed was a quick calibration, your system should be back to functioning like normal. If not, the problem could be related to something else.
Other reasons your Chevy Trailblazer A/C isn’t working
Recalibrating your Chevy’s A/C can solve simple electrical issues with your climate controls…most of the time. But if your reset attempt fails, you may be dealing with a different issue. Here are a few other reasons your Chevy Trailblazer’s A/C could be failing:
Refrigerant leak
Refrigerant leaks are a common problem when it comes to A/C malfunctions. Without adequate levels of refrigerant in your HVAC system, your A/C loses its cooling capacity.
Luckily, it’s an easy fix—just refill the refrigerant levels and you’re good to go! Just make sure that you find and seal any leaks to prevent the problem from recurring.
Air compressor failure
If it’s not a blown fuse or refrigerant leak, the issue could be with your A/C’s air compressor.
The air compressor is central to your A/C: it works together with your condenser to cool the air that’s blown out of your car’s vents. When your compressor—or the relay that powers it—stops working properly, so does your HVAC system.
In this case, you’ll need an air compressor replacement
. Dirty cabin air filter
Replacing your cabin air filter
is a regular part of Chevy basic car maintenance—but if you haven’t cleaned or replaced yours in a while, you may start to notice a dip in your A/C’s performance. A dirty cabin air filter will result in reduced airflow and ventilation—and the added strain on your A/C and engine could lead to lower fuel economy if left alone.
Most manufacturers recommend replacing your cabin air filter every 10,000-20,000 miles or so, but cleaning it regularly may help it last a little longer.
Bad blower motor
A loss of A/C airflow in your Chevy Trailblazer could be the result of a bad blower motor. If yours is broken, you’ll have to replace it entirely.
Faulty blend door actuator
If you notice a clicking or light tapping sound coming from beneath your dashboard, a faulty blend door actuator could be to blame.
Blend door actuators help control airflow in your Trailblazer’s cabin, but if yours is on the fritz you may experience a problem with controlling your A/C’s temperature—such as only getting hot air and no cold air, or the other way around. To fix it, you’ll need a mechanic’s help.
How to diagnose a Chevy Trailblazer climate control malfunction
The problems above are just some of the potential reasons your Chevy Trailblazer’s A/C could be malfunctioning.
But they’re not the only potential causes of A/C malfunctions—a dirty or clogged condenser, dirty evaporator, or even a wonky wiring harness could be behind the issue.
Before you address your A/C malfunction, it’s important to know what’s at the root of the problem before attempting to make a repair. If you have an onboard diagnostics (OBD) scan tool, you can get an OBD code
or trouble code to help narrow down the source of the issue. Alternatively, you can bring your Chevy to a local mechanic for more professional assistance. If you choose the mechanic route, be sure to work with someone that’s trained and certified in HVAC repairs, since working with A/C refrigerant requires additional expertise.
How to keep Chevy insurance costs low
If resetting your Chevy Trailblazer’s A/C wasn’t successful and you’re facing a hefty repair bill, it may just be the perfect time to look for a more affordable car insurance
policy. That’s where Jerry
can help. As a top-rated and trustworthy insurance comparison app
, Jerry can help you find the best rates and coverage options for your car in just 45 seconds. It’s this simple: download the Jerry app, answer a few questions, and Jerry will present you with a cross-analysis of the best policies out there for your coverage level.
Shop and compare rates side-by-side, manage your policy, and even swap insurers—all from the convenience of your phone.
“I was struggling because I wanted great insurance for my new car. Jerry
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