I've searched a bit on our forum and on the Internet itself, and it appears that we cannot program a remote ourselves on the HHR without taking it to a dealer. Has everyone else come to that conclusion?
Also, they talk about a Tech II tool - is that something a shop might have, or is it GM only? How much does GM charge for this?

 

Yes you need a Tech II scan tool or the equivalent to program the fobs on the HHR, your best bet is a GM dealer. As for pricing on programming a FOB, some dealers do it for nothing as a customer relations thing, otherwise the going rate seems to be $25-40.

 

Most dealers in my area charge 1 hour labor but I found a locksmith that did it for $35. I had to call a bunch because most don't have the right equipment.

 

@AJochum, I would have to agree with you about taking the FOB and vehicle to the dealership to have the key FOB programmed with the vehicle. From what I assume this would allow only the fobs that are programmed to the vehicle to work. To me this is a safety measure.

For the pricing information, you will want to contact the dealership or several dealerships to compare pricing.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

Easy fix is to trade it in on a non GM car.

 

Thanks for the reply. It's funny - most of the GM cars allow you to program one once you've got the key in the ignition and hit the door locks, etc. I'm suspecting two things: 1.) Anti-theft 2.) GM dealer revenue.
It seems that they've gone this avenue in the past 3 or 4 years.

 

You can still program the keys yourself. It's the fobs the require the use of a Tech II scanner ever since GM went to the Pass-key III and Pass-Key III+ VATS in 2006.

 

db/sb any chance that you and the wife are going to Tom's Farm g2g in Nov? Todd (Uma)

 

That's on the 5th, isn't it? We're attending a birtdhay bash/fundraiser event at the Improv in Ontario on that day.

 

@Ajochum, It is my pleasure to be on the forums with all of you. In my personal opinion, I would have to go with your #1 reason of Anti-theft the most, but you could be on to something about helping the dealerships with revenue too. This is just my personal opinion about your point of view.

Michelle, GM Customer Service