I just purchased a 2010 HHR and my flash drive will not work when I plug it into the USB port. I have used it with no problems in the Pioneer radio I had in my Toyota (aftermarket). It is a 4GB SanDisk Cruzer.

It tries to connect and then shows a message "no media found". Everything else (radio, CD, XM) works fine.

Is there a special method that has to be followed to be able to play music from a flash drive? I can re-burn my music again but am hoping someone can give me some advice.
Thanks!

 

Try a different brand flash drive.

 

I will try that. I just plugged the one I have into my computer and it works. Does anyone have a brand suggestion of one they have had that has worked?
Thanks.

 

Here's a thread that had some different brands mentioned.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/usb-issue-25304/

 

Hi. I have had major issues getting my USB to work with certain flashes. The ONLY one that has ever worked for me is the Centon Data Pro. I use the 16GB one and had the 8GB before it. Both work. I must have tried 10 different brands........I got them on Ebay(brand new).
Good luck.

 

I'm going to tell the saga of my USB connection on this thread.

I had my Pioneer radio replaced under warranty a few months ago because the USB port simply didn't work. Well, it would work for about 10 minutes, then quit.

The new radio allowed me to use the USB port for about 30-45 minutes before it, too, quit. I noticed that my iPod got very warm as if the battery was being overcharged.

Yesterday, I visited my dealer for an oil change and complained about this situation. The service adviser put their electronics expert on the job. We read through all the TSB's, but saw nothing that matched my experience. One of the TSB's mentioned a special USB cable that was required. I didn't receive a special cable when I took delivery of my HHR. (The service adviser has ordered this cable. If he can get it to me under a warranty arrangement, he will. If not, I can make the call whether to purchase it or not.)

The electronic tech suggested that I turn down the brightness on my iPod screen. I did so, and have had no problems at all. The unit plays perfectly, and doesn't heat up. Could it be that the iPod was drawing too much current from the radio? Perhaps, but the amount of electricity needed to light the screen must be very small. Regardless, it did the job.

Another possibility is how much overall current I'm drawing from the electrical system. I have a GPS, a cellphone charger, and a battery charger for my electronic cigarettes (that's a whole 'nuther story...) plugged in to the 12V outlets.

Now, for the flash drive dilemma: I loaded all my music on an 8 GB flash drive, and it played through the USB port. Fine, so far. However, I was never able to achieve a good "shuffle play." The music played in alphabetical order no matter what I did. I didn't load my music in different files - all 1400 songs were in one file. Could that have been my mistake?

Hopefully, I will be able to retire the flash drive and rely on the iPod from now on.

I know this is a lengthy post, but if anyone can comment on my questions, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks!!!

(BTW, my 2010 HHR SS has 41,000 miles, and has performed FLAWLESSLY for a year. It has averaged about 28 mpg. It's still rattle-free, fun to drive, etc., etc. I wish I'd bought two of them.)

 

If your 1400 songs was actually one file then no it can't shuffle, if they are 1400 files in one directory (folder) then it should be able to...... Difference in how they are saved on the flash drive.

 

Thanks! If I ever decide to go back to the flash drive, I'll reload it differently; I'll make a file for each genre / artist / album, or whatever.

 

Don't confuse files and folders. Each song should be a separate file, (song.MP3) if you wanted to sort the files into folders you can do that but I don't think it's necessary. I don't have the USB radio, but "dabble" in computers and music.

 

Actually most mp3 players do have a limit on number of songs in each folder, not sure what it is for this radio. Should be in the manual.