I was wondering if anyone has encountered this situation:
When using the remote starter during the day, the parking lights come on when you start it and stay on(like the manual says they are suppose to do), however when remote starting at nite, the parking lites don't come on at all.
Have I got a problem or is this the way they all work?:confused: I hate to let the dealer get their hands on my HHR if I can avoid it! Thanks.

There was an ECU reflash to address this issue. If you're not comfortable taking it to your dealer try this:

Remote start your HHR at a time when the lights don't come on.

Put the HHR in "Drive."

Put the parking brake on (hard!).

Get out of the HHR and see if the Parking lights are now on.

If you have "auto lights" on, they should always come on when the vehicle is put into gear. If you have a stick instead of auto, you're going to have to get creative, because the sticks must be going 5mph first! :lol: I would recommend having a friend drive it and YOU examine the light operation.

Hope it helps,

Mine did that and would occasionally stall. I had my HHR reflashed and all my remote start problems are gone.

I too had this minor annoyance crop up, but as the Guru's stated above, it's solved with a simple reflash of the ECU. Next time you're in for service, ask them to reflash to the current firmware and you'll be golden! :D

Thanks for the help. I knew if it was a common problem someone here would know. I sort of figured a reflash was in order.

Can remote start be installed on a stick? That's the only thing that might separate me from getting a manual. Could I use a Chevy module or whatever they are or must it be aftermarket?

Can remote start be installed on a stick? That's the only thing that might separate me from getting a manual. Could I use a Chevy module or whatever they are or must it be aftermarket?


It can be done with a stick, but most shops won't install one in a manual.

We won't install a rem start into a manual no matter what...

I had a starter installed on my silverado that worked with manual transmissions that was fantastic. The range was about 1/2 mile and I was spoiled by it. The remote starter that comes with the HHR is nothing to write home about. The range is quite low. Personally, my opinion is if that is the deciding factor for a manual tranny, you could probably get a really good remote starter installed for way less than the automatic transmission costs. The company that made the starter that I know works with manual, was Startech Security and the unit was the 800 plus platinum. The web site was startechsecurity.com but when I tried it just now, I couldn't connect so I don't know if they are still around. When I bought mine a couple of years ago, they had been in business for a long time.

I had my ecu reflashed last week and I still have the same problem with my remote start. When using the remote start the parking lights are intermittent and do not come on all the time neither at night nor during the day.

I finally took mine in for service and the dealer refused to flash the ecu because they claim that there is a bulletin out that directs them not to flash it because it wouldn't take care of the problem and that engineering is currently working on the problem.

I finally took mine in for service and the dealer refused to flash the ecu because they claim that there is a bulletin out that directs them not to flash it because it wouldn't take care of the problem and that engineering is currently working on the problem.

I got the same kind of answer from the dealer: GM is aware of the problem but does not have a fix for it. But he did pull up the bulletin to show me.

When using the remote starter during the day, the parking lights come on when you start it and stay on(like the manual says they are suppose to do), however when remote starting at nite, the parking lites don't come on at all.
My parking lights do not come on during the day or night when using the remote starter.

The only time the parking lights come on when using the remote start is after I press the unlock button on the key fob.

The manual says the parking lights should come on, but they don't. I'm still reading through the owners manual to see if that setting can be altered or not via the DIC.

I have found that recently, every once in a while, the parking lites come on at nite when I start it. No rhyme or reason. But what I have found that works consistently for me, is to first unlock the HHR with the remote, immediately lock it with the remote, then use the starter and the parking lights come on and stay on like they are suppose to at nite ,everytime.

I have found that recently, every once in a while, the parking lites come on at nite when I start it. No rhyme or reason. But what I have found that works consistently for me, is to first unlock the HHR with the remote, immediately lock it with the remote, then use the starter and the parking lights come on and stay on like they are suppose to at nite ,everytime.
That sequence defintely does the trick.

I was wondering if anyone has encountered this situation:
When using the remote starter during the day, the parking lights come on when you start it and stay on(like the manual says they are suppose to do), however when remote starting at nite, the parking lites don't come on at all.
Have I got a problem or is this the way they all work?:confused: I hate to let the dealer get their hands on my HHR if I can avoid it! Thanks.
Mine does the same thing, i found that if u hit the unlock button on the remote and then relock they come on. As to why they do that i havent a clue... chevys wireing is confusing and i am currently working on figuring it out. I think a reflash would solve this but sometimes if the dealer aint up to date with the equip and computers u can open a biger can of worms!!! Good luck.