Automatic SS brake problems -- dealer results
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
GM is going to fix this.
GM seldom says much on fixes till they are ready to be applied. Often dealers are unaware of them till long after they are out.
My head light fix TSB was found on the GP web site. I had to give it to my dealer as they never heard of it. They ordered the parts and fixed it.
The only reason any of us on the web site knew there was a fix coming was because one of the posters on the site was testing the parts for GM to see if the fix would work.
From the earliest we knew of the fix till it was available it took almost a year. This was just for a simple bracket to mount the headlights a little more solid so they would not bounce.
Making a fix for this is a little more involved not only on the repair level but also designing and gething the parts made.
MFG often do not show their hand on problems as the legal ramifications could be endless if they put anything in writing in the public domain.
Once a repair is available they will show their hand and we all will get the fix.
If it was an easy fix we would have it by now.
GM seldom says much on fixes till they are ready to be applied. Often dealers are unaware of them till long after they are out.
My head light fix TSB was found on the GP web site. I had to give it to my dealer as they never heard of it. They ordered the parts and fixed it.
The only reason any of us on the web site knew there was a fix coming was because one of the posters on the site was testing the parts for GM to see if the fix would work.
From the earliest we knew of the fix till it was available it took almost a year. This was just for a simple bracket to mount the headlights a little more solid so they would not bounce.
Making a fix for this is a little more involved not only on the repair level but also designing and gething the parts made.
MFG often do not show their hand on problems as the legal ramifications could be endless if they put anything in writing in the public domain.
Once a repair is available they will show their hand and we all will get the fix.
If it was an easy fix we would have it by now.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-27-2007
Posts: 1,115
From: Austin, Texas
Some GM vehicles use an electric vacuum pump to supplement engine vacuum, including those that have cylinder deactivation. The brakeboost (vacuum) sending unit sends a signal to the PCM, and when low, the PCM signals the pump to turn on. Perhaps the fix for Auto HHR's (not clear to me why manuals don't have the issue) will be to add a pump. Just for info, my 5 spd SS goes to 10 inches of vacuum on start up virtually instantly (less than 1 second for sure).
Banned
Joined: 10-24-2006
Posts: 1,761
From: The Show-Me State
Some GM vehicles use an electric vacuum pump to supplement engine vacuum, including those that have cylinder deactivation. The brakeboost (vacuum) sending unit sends a signal to the PCM, and when low, the PCM signals the pump to turn on. Perhaps the fix for Auto HHR's (not clear to me why manuals don't have the issue) will be to add a pump. Just for info, my 5 spd SS goes to 10 inches of vacuum on start up virtually instantly (less than 1 second for sure).
My question remains--does the reprogramming fix the problem? Has anyone who had the reprogramming had the same power-boost problem?
Senior Member
Joined: 07-03-2008
Posts: 1,664
From: jerSSey, exit 5
GM is going to fix this.
GM seldom says much on fixes till they are ready to be applied. Often dealers are unaware of them till long after they are out.
My head light fix TSB was found on the GP web site. I had to give it to my dealer as they never heard of it. They ordered the parts and fixed it.
The only reason any of us on the web site knew there was a fix coming was because one of the posters on the site was testing the parts for GM to see if the fix would work.
From the earliest we knew of the fix till it was available it took almost a year. This was just for a simple bracket to mount the headlights a little more solid so they would not bounce.
GM seldom says much on fixes till they are ready to be applied. Often dealers are unaware of them till long after they are out.
My head light fix TSB was found on the GP web site. I had to give it to my dealer as they never heard of it. They ordered the parts and fixed it.
The only reason any of us on the web site knew there was a fix coming was because one of the posters on the site was testing the parts for GM to see if the fix would work.
From the earliest we knew of the fix till it was available it took almost a year. This was just for a simple bracket to mount the headlights a little more solid so they would not bounce.
I remember the headlight fix well!
Founding Member
Joined: 11-23-2007
Posts: 8,210
From: Texas
I have always wondered why this problem isn't in all SSs.
You can view a new low boost bulletin here that may or may not be part of the problem:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...9&page=18¯
You can view a new low boost bulletin here that may or may not be part of the problem:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...9&page=18¯
Joined: 09-16-2008
Posts: 8
From: Texarkana,TX
HHR S/S Brake issue
Well if GM is going to fix this they need to tell their people! I spoke with several customer care agents and the concern was submitted in their words, "escalated" to a final answer coming from an engineer I was told. He told me it was "NORMAL" and that they weren't going to do anything about it! I told him a few things concerning his IQ and his background and the conversation ended with my total disgust! If I could have been face to face maybe I would have gotten more respect or stomped a mudhole in his !@#$% but as it went I hvve never been so upset with anyone! I started in a '59 Impala and have owned over 25 new and used Chevy's and 1 '96 Trans-Am WS-6 which I still have under a cover with over 100,000 perfect miles and ready to burn off another set of Goodyear Eagles an cue! The HHR S/S is awesome in "launch mode" for a vehicle of it's charactor but as a certified tech for over 30 years I was unable to hold back my fealings about such a simple problem to be charactorized as "NORMAL" that I know could be taken care of in a few minutes with a vacuum pump instalation! BOO GM ps the ford thang was just an expression that a true GM fan would understand as words spoken in anger lol!
Banned
Joined: 10-24-2006
Posts: 1,761
From: The Show-Me State
Well if GM is going to fix this they need to tell their people! I spoke with several customer care agents and the concern was submitted in their words, "escalated" to a final answer coming from an engineer I was told. He told me it was "NORMAL" and that they weren't going to do anything about it! I told him a few things concerning his IQ and his background and the conversation ended with my total disgust! If I could have been face to face maybe I would have gotten more respect or stomped a mudhole in his !@#$% but as it went I hvve never been so upset with anyone! I started in a '59 Impala and have owned over 25 new and used Chevy's and 1 '96 Trans-Am WS-6 which I still have under a cover with over 100,000 perfect miles and ready to burn off another set of Goodyear Eagles an cue! The HHR S/S is awesome in "launch mode" for a vehicle of it's charactor but as a certified tech for over 30 years I was unable to hold back my fealings about such a simple problem to be charactorized as "NORMAL" that I know could be taken care of in a few minutes with a vacuum pump instalation! BOO GM ps the ford thang was just an expression that a true GM fan would understand as words spoken in anger lol!
Senior Member
Joined: 11-27-2007
Posts: 1,115
From: Austin, Texas
Of course if my car had the problem, I would just install this until GM came up with something http://www.ssbrakes.com/products/det...ump+Kits&year=
Joined: 09-16-2008
Posts: 8
From: Texarkana,TX
The "computer fix" is just a flash file sent to the transmission control module, so I am told, that in turn lowered the engine rpm at start up so the engine doesn't pull through the brakes guite as easily. The "Onstar"system doesn't see an anti-lock brake failure so why would GM? And yes they did that twice because the first time they did it they told me what they did but they didn't write it in their report! Perhaps you should try to price a vacuum pump, associated wiring and controls then ask why I don't just install it! Try contacting a pontiac or saturn dealer to get parts for a HHR! Or maybe find a salvage unit to rob the parts from! Ask someone with a Soltice or Sky if GM Fixed theirs!