I have a 2011 HHR LT. Bought it about three years ago (has it been that long?). The radio worked fine until a few months ago, when it didn't. All of a sudden, I had no FM, only static, and only a few AM channels, which sometimes turn to static also. I don't know if this is related, but I had taken it to an express car wash (automated, no humans assist), so I removed the antenna, then replaced it afterwards. I've done that before with this car and others, to prevent antenna damage. It is the original radio, antenna, etc. as far as I know. No Onstar or XM/Sirius.

I switched antennas with my other HHR, and no change, so that's not the problem.

Last week I finally took it to a local car audio place. After testing, the technician said the radio itself is fine. He had a "diagnostic" antenna he'd made, which bypassed the installed one. So they said it was probably the base of the antenna had gone bad, and offered to either replace it properly, removing the headliner etc., (complicated and expensive) or install a bypass system for about $100.

Any thoughts? Other options? I'd be paying a business to do the work.

 

 

You could just drop the front of the headliner down. Removing it is not that big a deal.
After the headliner comes down there is 1 nut to remove.
No advanced college degree or magic needed to remove the headliner, just a few bolts.
A new base is pretty cheap. Part number 15951992 around $45.

Here is a how-to remove headliner: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...adliner-22782/