Hey Guys,

Today, I tried to leave work today and my door was unlocked with the key (I do not have a fob). It unlocked but my driver-side door does not open. One of our Towing accounts at Advanced Auto happened to still be there and they were able to wedge the door open but it still wouldn't open from the inside handle. The passenger side worked just fine once he unlocked the door. My immediate thought is that the cable may be snapped, loose, or disconnected somewhere inside. Neither of the handles feels broken and they both return to their original position under spring tension. I tried looking up a part number for just the cable and was only able to find the $120 actuator. Does anyone know if I can just buy the cable or do I just have to suck it up can get the full actuator?

The other issue with the door stuck closed is it will make getting the interior trim panel off, to fix it, almost impossible (I'm sure there's a way but at the moment I don't see it).On top of this, the interior electronics seem to only shut off after the driver's door is opened or they auto shut off after 10 minutes (not sure if this will damage my battery over the course of the week or two it may take to get this fixed)

Anything helps!

 

I am no help but following. Please Update what you do find

 

Will do, it appears to be extremely difficult to find this part instock anywhwere. I'll call my local chevy dealership tomorrow to see if they haave anything

 

So there appears to be only one cable from the actuator to the interior handle and a solid bar from the exterior handle to the actuator. For both door handles to fail simotniously, there must be some physical disconnect or an electrical disconnect (i doubt this as both handles feel more loose than the others indicating something physical). I will inspect this further tomorrow and hopefully get some pictures

 

I found this link from another thread with some useful diagrams
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...ssembly-60493/

 

Likely whatever is used to attach the lock with the cable has broke. Some use a clip and some a pin.

 

Get it apart and find out which parts you need. Then go look in your local wrecking yard.
GM dealers aren't going to have many new parts for a car that hasn't been made in 11 years.

 

Unfortunately with the door locked closed, the interior trim panel is partially blocked by the dash board and the three bolts to remove the actuator is between the door itself and the B pillar so removing this thing is going to suck

 

Unfortunately with the door locked closed, the interior trim panel is partially blocked by the dash board and the three bolts to remove the actuator is between the door itself and the B pillar so removing this thing is going to suck.

Double unfortunate, I use my HHR on a daily basis for my IT job which requires me to leave it parked for hours at a time in some pretty sketchy areas of my city. So I kind of have to get this sorted out asap. After work today ill hopefully be able to post pictures of what I find

 

Did the driver lock plunger pop up? Did the other doors unlock when you turned the key twice? Anyone playing with fuses or wires? Any break in attempts?
Sounds more like the actuator/latch is worn out.
A locksmith can get the door open for you. And probably diagnose and repair it. Got AAA? Nationwide insurance has a lockout coverage, maybe others do, mine will replace fobs and keys.