DL5
Do you have the 2.4L engine ? If not, then a 2.2 in a 06 will not have the actuator solenoids talked about above.
If you have a 2.2, then your TC problem would be something else.

 

The reports on the web and in forums (just looking for a day or two) I see regarding the codes which appear when this anomaly occurs don't seem to tell anyone anything of value. As mentioned I see this cam shaft, "hub" replacement, whatever that is, etc... -one common thing in all this is the battery is disconnected. So maybe it is just the battery or a hard reset. Battery needs replacement due to age anyway so worth a try. It does not seem to be a mechanical issue as the everything works well up to the 30-35 minute time frame then for no apparent reason the T/C comes on and clunky shifting starts. If the issue comes back after I change the battery then maybe I have a problem, if not then I'll put it down to a firmware glich....

 

And double check the ground wire connections under the hood and in the battery/ spare tire well.

 

So DL5. Asking you to pull and post the codes and asking which size engine you have is too much to ask ?

Sorry. I'm done.

 

"one common thing in all this is the battery is disconnected" - yeah that's it - they are all fixed by a battery disconnect!!!

You can get your battery tested for free at most any auto-parts store.

Didn't pull the codes.............. I'm done too.

 

Sorry folks. Taking the vehicle in to get a mechanic to read some codes which may or may not (based on what I read) will tell me anything to me is secondary. I'm not saying the battery is the problem, I'm saying I need to replace it as I have been ignoring it for 2-3 years and it should be replaced as it's going on 10 years old. I know the dynamics of batteries, what I don't know is how they impact the wacko firware they put in vehicles. Once I have swapped the battery, I will look at it further.
I do thank you for your feedback.

 

Wow. Really.
quote: to read "some" codes
Well my friend. Those codes would probably point you to whats wrong. THAT's how modern day automobiles work. Onboard diagnostic systems or OBD. Your HHR has that. You don't have to go to a Mechanic to have the codes read. Most auto parts stores will do it for free. (California excluded)

Also, not posting the engine size as stated before is not gonna help you here. Your original question was about the actuator solenoids and engine size is relevent in regards to that.
If you replace that battery it's going to clear any stored codes.
Just not understanding the reasoning for you to dismiss all the suggestions you've been given.

We would like to help but you've gotta help us out with a little info.

 

I agree with your probably. Based on what I have read on this issue the codes produced do not always point to what's wrong. If the problem is hard, it will come back when the battery is swapped. At that point I will take the next step and take it into a shop to get the codes read.

Never heard of a auto parts store up in Canada actually working on a car like this, don't think they would.

I have no idea what the engine is on the vehicle.

As to modern electronics on vehicles, -maybe they are better 10 years later, but lighting a Traction Control light when there is nothing wrong with the traction does not seem to be very "user friendly".

I will let you know what the end result is either way.

 

I'm in Canada and our parts palaces her will pull the codes for free, like Parts Source.
Your engine size is very relavent to the T/C light a 2.2 has different signal sources then a 2.4.
But please carry on and replace the battery due to its age, then if the CEL comes back on , get that code, your engine size , model of your HHR.
And we're happy to help you out.