Chevy Blazer SUVs will on occasion need work for one of the vehicle's many systems: engine, transmission, suspension, electrical or body. Although some jobs require a mechanic and the need to get the Blazer off the ground on a lift, you can do many repairs at home to keep your Blazer running smoothly. Understanding the Blazer's systems and identifying problems represents the first step to doing your own repairs. Beside, most repairs on modern vehicles involve unplugging an old part and installing a new one; it's just a case of knowing which part to replace.
Chevrolet designs the Blazer so that every electrical part, from the headlights to the cruise control, is modular. Modular design allows you to replace the malfunctioning part using a screwdriver and a wrench---no need to splice wires or get a soldering gun. Some electrical parts may take some elaborate disassembly to access, but again the modular design means you can take apart the entire Blazer right down to the frame with hand tools.
Before doing any extensive disassembly, however, take one simple step: check the fuse. Just like your home, a Blazer has a fuse box---on a Blazer, it's located under the driver's left knee. Open the panel, and use the accompanying diagram to find the fuse controlling the bad part. The fuses are bright plastic tabs that pull out. Check the wire in the clear plastic; if it's broken or burned through, replace it with an identical new fuse.
Under the Blazer's hood is a seemingly endless array of parts. You can easily disconnect each one from the engine block and replace it, however---the normal procedure for repairs on a Blazer. Rather than trying to rebuild the water pump or weld the drive pulley on the alternator, you can just remove the old one and plug in the replacement. Components you can replace in this way include the water pump, power steering pump, power brake pump, oil pump, air conditioner compressor, radiator fan and all the hoses and tubing carrying coolant and lubricants around the engine.
The drive train comprises everything under the Blazer transmitting power to the wheels: the transmission, gear box and drive shaft. Although more difficult to access (you have to get the Blazer on a lift), even these big ominous parts under the vehicle are modular. You can take apart the entire drive train with hand tools and replace bad gears, joints and shafts. Keep in mind, however, that removing the Blazer's transmission takes a special tool: a transmission lift. This is a large tray supported by a jack that can go as high as the transmission when you lift the car. Raise the stand up to the transmission, then remove the unit. You cannot support the heavy metal case and remove it at the same time.
