You probably needed the new ignition lock cylinder for being able to remove the key in any position, but a key stuck in the ignition is 99% of the time corrected by replacing the shifter assembly. Programming a second key is fairly simple if you have a key that already starts the vehicle. You simply start the vehicle, turn the vehicle off, remove the key, insert the new key and start again. The second key is now programmed.

 

I don't have to push a button to remove my key - is this something they changed in '08? Or is it a manual transmission thing?

 

Not missing anything. The push button is for the emergency release of the key from the ignition.

 

Talk about strange -- Brand new ignition -- Key still comes out in any position .. Tomorrow the car is going to Chevrolet where I bought it . I,m sure there is a shifter failure and I hope the programming of the key at chevy stops the key from coming out in any position ..
I stick with american Cars all the time as this country needs all people to stay loyal to our own products . But how does that little island of Japan
create such reliability .

I thought this car was simple .. Anything But . I also have a 2002 Olds Bravada . Great SUV . no more Oldsmobile but even that car has problems with only 32000. miles

GM needs to change their complete system of checks and balances regarding quality and reliability .
Good luck to all anyway and I hope I receive some luck tomorrow .
JW

 

Chevy MGR and all the HHR enthusiasts .. Thanks for the wish for good luck .
Finally after I believe a new ignition not needed. $401.00 dollars
I have my HHR with Chevy and the shifter is going in today .. From what I see and I have seen a lot of motors in my construction company it appears the Shifter IS by far the largest defect in the 2006 HHR. Of course I never claimed to be a mechanic and I should probably keep my hands far away from trying to be. The simple fact is ,and if Chevymgr you are a Chevrolet veteran of the complicated field of Chevy cars without the high tech equipment to diagnose an owner is behind the eight ball already .

In all honesty - HHr owners with this common problem should force GM to redesign the part in its entirety . It will go again depending on how long I keep the car . The whole car caught my ambition to own one when I rented from National . It really drives nice and looks quite mysterious . I like that in a car . But as Microsoft pumps out sofware before the exterminator checks for bugs so has the HHR 2006 done the same with this shifter . Imagine getting stuck in Tarrytown New york . The clintons live there . GM gave me that .

Just thoughts . Ny giants helped me through this also ..
Good luck to all HHR owners . The car is still a winner in my eyes .

 

All went great -The remote starter is intersting as it was 12 degrees yesterday and with wind minus 12 . I hope this shifter lasts . Anybody know the exact components needed to change a shifter . I want to check the prices and have on hand should the likely occur and it fails again .
thanks

 

According to GM's latest TSB on HHR shifters (dated 2/11/08), the results of an engineering invistigation into the complaints of A) Key cannot be removed from ignition or B) Shifter cannot be moved out of park, the following was stated. "The majority of the shifter assmebly replacements were due to liquid spills, which may cause the BTSI (brake transaxle shift interlock solenoid) to become inoperative.

Although I do believe fluids with any type of sugar or sugar type products can reek havoc on the shifter plate making it not slide and therefore could be part of the problem with complaint (B) I don't see that holding much water on the key stuck in the ignition complaint (C). That failure is usually the rod that activates when the shifter button is pushed, being ****ed outside of its housing inside the shifter. Now could this be caused by fluid on/in the solenoid causing it to be inoperative, and then when the brake pedal is depressed and an attempt to move the shifter causes the rod to pop out of the housing, i guess it could. Anything is possible in the world of automotive repairs

The bulletin states that "A series of incremental engineering changes are being reviewed for possible future enhancements to the shifter assembly to prevent damage from occuring due to liquid spills".

 

Good answer - So before I bought it as the problem always occurrred any type of liquid falling through the actual floor shifter could cause this to occur again . It is definitely something I can avoid . If i am correct the moving housing on the actual shift lever with the plastics that are supposed to stop liquids from falling through . Personally ,I have never seen a floor shifter that was totally capable of being waterproof But I appreciate the information . I won,t be resting any drinks near that area . Yet your skepticism about only the fluid spill being the problem seems like GM wondering how much it would cost to recall the car and then replying accordingly . IF anything a simple cover over the solenoid should work > I am not an auto expert and I have never seen the mechanism but I have the all data serveice . I,ll locate the blowup of that system . Thanks for the info Jw