Hello all, I'm a new member, first let me start with the details I have a 2007 Chevrolet HHR 2.4 liter engine automatic. The problem I'm having is with remote start I can lock the doors with my fob and unlock them I can start remote start which will start the car and it will run for approximately 10 seconds then shut off I have checked the hood switch multiple different ways and also replacing the hood switch still the problem persists my third brake light works all the lights come on my cruise control works no issues there I did find a peculiar problem with my brake light switch now on a 2007 HR there are two switches connected to the brake pedal one on the left hand side is the bigger switch which is the brake switch which has three wires connected to it 1 is a red with white stripe which goes to the BCM the other two are light blue wires the second switch is for the cruise control as I stated before everything works there my brake lights go on and there is no issues except for remote start I did find that when adjusting the brake pedal switch if I left the brake pedal switch wire connected but not connected to the brake pedal the remote start would work and the car would stay on however this has been an intermittent problem sometimes that will work sometimes it will not then installing the brake pedal switch sometimes it'll work meaning the car will remote start and stay on and then sometimes it will start and then shut off within 10 seconds the key thing here it will always start with the remote start but only last 10 seconds I've also found that if I push the brake pedal down sometimes while engaging remote start the remote start will last the period of 10 minutes and not shut off again, if I try it again it will remote start and then shut off within 10 seconds nothing has been consistent on how this works if anyone has any direction they can provide me to check I would greatly appreciate it also I do not have any check engine lights on and have scanned the engine for any codes which I have none, I also disconnected the negative end of the battery for 30 minutes no change, my next step is going to replace all the four bulbs in the third brake light center brake light just because, they do work now but I'm wondering if I have a floating ground and or a short somewhere that is causing this remote start to start sometimes and work and then sometimes start and fail after 10 seconds please let me know your thoughts thank you, Mark

 

Check the connections to the switches, tighten the 4, 7mm bolts in the under hood fuse box and firmly push all fuses and relays into their positions. If it starts and then dies, it might be something loose.

 

Check the engine oil level. If it remote starts and doesn’t build up oil pressure, the computer may be shutting it down.

 

Hi Guys, thanks for the replies, I have checked the oil pressure and its fine also the oil just changed and is full. I did check the engine fuse box all is tight and made sure all relays and fuses are clean and tight. I also tried a new GM OEM brake switch just in case and ended up with the same result. The coolant level is fine also. I have tried the remote start in the morning when the car is cold and also after a drive, sometimes it will start, run and not shut off but most of the time it will just start and shut off after about 10 seconds. I'm not new to working on my car and have owned over 300 cars, I also have a beautiful 2010 Chevy HHR LT which has given me no problems and the remote start works as designed. i will troubleshoot this to the end to get it resolved. The most consistent way I was able to get the remote start to continue to stay on was to hold and/or pump the brake pedal and then press remote start sometimes it will stay on. sometimes not. I did check the micro switch on the center console and made sure it was making contact and tried remote start when holding it in it still shut off. Also the ignition was replaced and no issues there. I ordered new bulbs which will be here tomorrow and remove all and check grounds, connections etc. to see if this changes anything. Please keep these suggestions coming I'm up to trying and/or testing anything now, thanks Mark.

 

No CEL, no codes (pending or historic or current)?
Not usually a wire problem. Usually it has something to do with the computer shutting the fuel injectors off.
That being said: The hood switch is actually 2 switches, one is open the other is not open the states are "open circuit" and "closed to ground" Does the hazard switch work? Is the rear deck lid solidly closed AND locked? Are all of the doors locked?
If there is a fuse in position #10 under hood the rear hatch will not lock.

 

Hi, No CEL at all and no history of any CEL. The hood switch is a simple switch like you said. I have tested it many ways, for example unplugging it and jumped the connections together so it would appear that the hood is closed and test remote start, like I said it will start and then shut off, I then connected the hood switch from my 2010 HHR which remote starts no problem and again the same outcome, it will start then shut off, I then used another hood switch from a 2008 HHR LT 2.4 and still got the same results. I do not believe the gas is being shut off to the injectors or it would consistently never start using remote start as I said it does remote start and sometimes run the full 10 minutes. Also yes all the doors lock even the hatch no issues there. Just to check if in fact the gas was being shut off by the computer, I first started the car with the key, starts right up and runs great, while the car is running and in park with the emergency brake on, I pumped the brake 3 times you can hear the center console switches click allowing you take it out of park, but I leave it in park and after the 3rd brake pump hold the brake down and then shut the car off. Now I'm still holding the brake down and lock the doors and engage remote start and it starts and runs without shutting off, I can then put my key in the ignition and turn it to the on position seeing the gauges now move. I then shut it off and repeat the process however this time the car starts then shuts off. You guys have any other ideas?

 

Oh I forgot, yes my hazard switch works, and when the remote start does work and run I am able to shut off the remote start by turning the hazard lights on.

 

Our suggestions have to start somewhere and our protocol is to suggest the basics

inspect fuse 62 and relay 34

 

I did not say the gas gets turned off. The injectors are electronically controlled by the ECM, it can turn them off, like in theft deterrent mode.
The hood switch works by one being open and the other being closed. The purple wire needs to be grounded the other needs to be open.
Are you locking the doors with the fob? Are all of the door ajar sensors working correctly? Any after-market stuff, like radio, alarm etc?

Did it ever work right? Is this a new thing after something was done? Are there ANY PENDING codes when this happens?

 

Great thanks, so that would be, 62 Instrument Panel, Ignition Fuse and 34 Starting System Relay, I'll check these out and report back. Also just in case its asked I do have a full tank of gas.