Eight problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The belt tensioner on my '96 Blazer started to fall apart. I caught it because the belt started squeeling loudly and I was able to reach the dealer before it completely fell off. If it had fallen off, the alternator, water pump, fan and power brakes would have failed immediately. I am writing because I personally know 3 other people who have had this same problem. My friend had this problem on a '96 Chevrolet silverado. It was repaired under warranty at the time. My father has a '98 Blazer and he just had the same problem. It is being fixed under warranty. My father's CO-worker has a '98 Blazer. He had to have the belt tensioner and serpentine belt replaced 3 times already. The first 2 times it was replaced under warranty. The third time the warranty was up but the dealer fixed it because of the on-going problem. It seems that the belt tensioner design could be defective. As I said at the beginning, this should be considered a safety problem. When the tensioner brakes, you instantly lose power to all engine accesories being turned by the serpintine belt.
Windshield wipers works intermittently, they turn off and on . Dealership is aware of the problem. Also, pulley belt had to be replaced.
Consumer tried to stop at an intersection and idler pulley/serpentine belts were replaced. Then, steering locked up, and brakes failed, consumer stated that recall 98v193000 concerning abs brakes was never done.
Serpentine belt tensioner came apart.
Serpentine belt and tensioner replaced. Mjs.
Belt failed at 18000 and has been replaced 6 times and failed again.
On April 14, 1997, (18,9113 miles) vehicle had front calipers rebuilt and new pads and rotors installed. On September 25, 1997,(27,585 miles) belt tensioner and belt were replaced. On October 23, 1997, (29,2116 miles) front brake pads were replaced. On November 11, 1997, (30,216 miles) service engine light on. Code po442 found. Vacuum line off pulse valve they said. On January 13, 1998, (34,102 miles) service engine light on. Code p1870 for transmission slippage. Cleared code, that was all. On February 16, 1998, (35,514 miles) service engine light on, and front brakes squeeling , found code p1870. Found water in connector on transmission. Replaced front brake pads and turned rotors. Dealer stated that no further brake work would be done on warranty. February 24, 1998 (36,059 miles) service engine light, front brake squeeling. Transmission level low they said, and advised braked performing as designed at this time. March 5, 1998, (36,562 miles) service engine light on. Found code p1870. Replaced transmission tcc pulse solenoid. March 18, 1998, service engine light on again, dealer refused to work on it. Vehicle was driven home and has remained unmoved since.
Most of the problems that surfaced had already been repaired at least once. Most of the problems had already been repaired at least once under warranty and have recurred. The a/c seal leaked and needed a pump. There were problems with the idler pulley, oil filter lines, crank shaft,door hinges, power steering, throttle positioner sensor 2, left front axle seal, and the differential side covers.