I have a 2006 LT HHR with the 4 cylinder 2.2 engine. It was sputtering really bad, not accelerating more than about 20 mph and it died. I parked it and after similiar issues with previous cars, I went and got throttle body cleaner and mass air flow sensor cleaner. I cleaned the maf sensor with the spray, I didn't touch it with my hands at all. I didn't remove the throttle body as it was parked in a public parking lot. I just cleaned the top portion with the spray and cleaned it with a towel. After putting the air filter and TB and maf connectors back, the car won't start. It feels like its not getting gas. It sounds... odd. like a whining spinning sound. I am postive that everything was put back as it was initially. I cannot figure out what is going on. I waited a day, thinking there may be some residue left over inside the intake or throttle body but no luck. I tried starter fluid also with no luck.I attached a recording of the sound when I attempt to turn it over. Any help would be appreciated!

 

 

Above, in blue. After listening to the audio, it sounds like a serious problem. It may have jumped timing. Hard to tell from the audio but I could swear I hear a bent valve "spitting" compression back through the TB.
I hope my worst case scenario guess is wrong.
How many miles on this 2006 model ?

 

Any lights on the dasboard being ignored?

 

 

I apologize, that's the one thing I did not mention in my initial post. The Check Engine light AND Reduced Engine Power were both on before the car died. We are at 140k miles now. Well maintained car from the get go. Only major issues have been cold start issues . In the coldest months of the winter, we often have to keep the car on a trickle charger. There was a recall for the ignition switch which was repaired.

 

Was the engine still there?

It never occurred to you that the lights and warnings meant something? I suspect that by ignoring the problem you exacerbated it. Hope the chain didn't cause other damage when it broke.

 

Of course I knew the lights meant something but I was on a busy street. I had to drive it far enough to get it off the road. As for the audio, after listening to it on this forum it appears digitized and doesnt sound right at all. I have replaced it with a better sounding file. Sorry about that.

 

If the Check Engine Light was on, you should pull the codes. It will most likely point to the real problem.
Without the codes, we'd only be making a bunch of guesses.