Went out to go to the store, first start of the day and instantly SERVICE ESC with the traction light pops up, didnt do anything but start the car? Drove to 2 designations, shut off come back out and start to same thing. Get home and throw the code reader on, no service esc or traction light this go and no codes found with the reader ? A bit baffled at the moment, runs and drives fine... just need to see if it pops up again, got the reader in the car ready for next time.

 

Check you tire pressure.

 

X2 ^^^^

 

As you know I got the HHR recently, New tires, passed all inspections, went on a 700 + round trip vacation no issues.
Now about a week ago I installed fog lights that were missing ( factory wiring intact ) I had to pull the front cover enough to get the fogs in and put it all back together. A couple days later the HHR started throwing Service ESC and traction off with traction light while driving and now its throwing it as soon as I put it in geat? Is there a connection between the fogs and wheel sensors ? Or is it a coincidence that it just started going bad after installing the fogs? I was nowhere near the wheel speed sensor wire around the struts ( just popped the well rivits out and pull the bumper cover out some ) My el-cheapo reader is not showing any codes so I may need to stop at a shop to have them pulled , but just wondered as it didnt do it before, during or after the trip until I did the fogs.

 

Check the connectors, try a battery lobotomy, to rest the computers

 

Probably a coincidence. You might have disturbed a wire where the connector mounts to the strut. An ABS reader will only read when the ABS light is lit and it will really only tell you which wheel to look at.
Check the bearings.

 

no abs light

 

I misread the first post. Probably has nothing to do with the wires. Look for stored codes, a vagrant misfire or some other intermittent thing can cause that, many codes require multiple instances to set the CEL. Usually has to do with failing VVT valves.

 

I would think these are not related. I would scan for all codes and see where you are at.

 

I thought the VT as well but with my 08 it had the traction light, exc and abs all lit up... this one (09) doesnt ?