I'm in need of some wisdom from this group! I recently bought an 08 HHR, manual trans, with the specific intent of using it as a toad. I'd read about pulling fuse 8, so when I ordered the blue ox baseplate, I also ordered the roadmaster switch that plugs into fuse 8's location, and allows you to bypass the fuse for towing, or re-engage it for regular driving. This was my first time towing this particular car, and this time, I installed the baseplate myself, so I was being extra cautious about everything. My understanding was the key has to. be in the on position, with the fuse bypassed or removed to avoid draining the battery. First stop about 50 miles from home, I realize the headlights are illuminated. Apparently, the car has DRL and with the key on, engine off of course, headlights were on. Annoyingly, the doors auto locked (but I had the spare key thank goodness). Anyway I figured out how to defeat the DRL, but I noticed the dash lights were still on, so I noted the mileage on the odometer, and when we finally stopped, I realized it was stil recording miles. The battery was not dead, but it was also not happy about the drain all day driving. So my question... What am I doing wrong that I still have a drain on the battery, even with fuse 8 defeated?
Thanks in advance!

 

I don't have an answer but I would suggest you get with the RV community. The HHR is a favorite to toad. I bet the answers to your questions are well-known there.

 

You need the key in ACC not RUN to unlock the steering wheel; otherwise the toad would crab.
Fuse #8 under hood is for the brake vacuum pump that is installed on SS only.
Fuse #8 on the BCM is ignition switch and PK3+.. That one should disable the auto locking and battery draw.
Which one are you disconnecting?
Why are you surprised about DRL? The 2008 has a DRL relay and fuse #31 on the under hood fuse box.
Look at my sig: link to FREE Owner Manual.

 

I installed the Roadmaster bypass switch in #8 in the fuse panel (passenger footwell). The DRL issue was just a rookie thing on my part. I just bought the car a few weeks ago and didn’t realize it had DRL’s 🤔
So second dumb rookie question is about the ignition switch position. It must be only 1 click forward for ACC and 2 clicks for RUN? Old school cars ACC was a backward click and start was forward… (showing my age I know haha).
but thanks for the help!

 

I put the link in my sig for good reason. I don't know why it gets ignored. It answers most questions.

 

So you got the fusemaster 76511? And one of their brake light switch kits?

 

yes I installed the Roadmaster 76511. For lights, I use a rechargeable set of magnetic Bluetooth lights that I put on the roof of the HHR. I wasn’t going to invest in the hard wired solution until I determined if it would be suited to our needs as a ‘toad’. I’m way impressed so far.