Turn Signal Canceling Failure Fix: Lots of Pics
 

Took some time to get into my third bad turn signal to see if there was some permanent fix to the problem of the “canceling” feature not working.

Short answer; YES.

For a discussion of the problem see:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/turn-signal-issues-34898/

I have had three Multi-function Turn Signal/Head Light control sticks go bad. Each lasts 10 – 15 thousand miles before the canceling feature starts to act up. Left turns were my first indication, others on this site have reported right turns were their initial problem.

My problem was corrected with a very easy fix to the light switch assembly. Getting the assembly out of the vehicle was the worst part of the job.

Some general statements before I get started with the particulars:
●This was performed on a 2009 – your vehicle maybe different.
●You should feel comfortable removing vehicle trim panels and separating electrical connectors.
●Use the Steering Column adjustment up and down to your liking as you work.
●Some of my names/descriptions for the parts may not match their GM designations.

Picture of tools I used:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0141.JPG

Lets get started:
The first panel to be removed is the one surrounding the instrument panel. I used a very small (1/8” blade screwdriver) to pry the two lower sides towards the driver and then pulled the panel up and out. You’ll have to work at it some; the solution is to pull straight out. My vehicle did not have the two screws at the top holding it to the underside of the dash. Possibly because they are not necessary or the dealer left them out after having replaced the switch assembly twice before. Look to see if you have any screws installed before starting any prying; remove the screws first if they are present.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0135.JPG

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0134.JPG

Remove the three screws from the bottom Steering Column Cover. A 7MM Nut Driver or socket is needed. Remove the bottom cover – it is snapped into the top cover and will take some fidgeting to get it to release at the joint.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0138.JPG

Bottom removed
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0136.JPG

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0137.JPG

The top Steering Column Cover easily lifts off in the direction of the roof.
Top Removed
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0131.JPG

In the above image you can see the two electrical connectors plugged into the front of the assembly.

Unplug the wiring harness connectors - there are two.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0130.JPG


Use a small flat blade screwdriver to release the top and bottom retaining clips of the switch assembly and slide the assembly out towards the driver’s door. My Steering Column had to be adjusted to its full up position to get the switch out of the steering column.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0129.JPG

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0128.JPG

After repair of the Turn Signal assembly reinstallation of the switch in the vehicle is in the reverse order.

At this point you could take the easy way out and replace the old switch with a new switch. This was my third switch in this vehicle and I have no confidence in GM or its suppliers to produce a good switch. So I was going to “fix” their damn problem no matter what it took. If it took fabricating durable parts, that is what I was going to do. Luckily that was not necessary.

Now lets take a look at the switch assembly and what was wrong with my switch - your switch and problem may of course be different.

Operation of the turn signal canceling:
Notice the milky white actuator on the right side of the pictures.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0119.JPG

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0118.JPG

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0120.JPG


The first picture shows the neutral or canceled position. In the second and third pictures the canceling actuator is waiting for a lobe on the steering shaft to come around and trip it to return the turn signal stock to the neutral position. In my case the actuator rarely came out of the assembly to be intercepted by the steering shaft lobe.

Remove the four #2 Philips screws and the cover and a few small parts – notice how those small parts are positioned so you may return them to their proper positions.

Notice the flat, gold or brass colored spring on the right – that is where my problem was. It was permanently bowed towards the driver’s door – it needs to be straight or bowed towards the steering shaft.
This picture shows the bow in the correct direction.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0125.JPG

I used a pick to release each end of the spring from the switch housing and reversed it so it had some bend toward the steering column. Now I put everything back together.


Proper operation:
The actuator is extended, when in the right or left turn signal position, and waiting for a lobe on the steering wheel shaft to come around and trip it causing the stock to return to the center position.

In conclusion, I believe GM’s supplier simply installed this one spring in the wrong direction. I have been running this for 6 months and haven’t had a problem. If this problem occurs again I will first try reversing the spring again, bending the spring or fabricating my own spring design.

:twothumbs: Nice write up, good job!

Very nice write up - and the PICTURES!! :twothumbs:

Even I might be able to handle something like that, should the need arise. :smile:

Works!
 

I just used your fix and the turn signal cancel is working like new again!
I went ahead and turned both springs around while I had it apart. Thank for the instructions and great pics!

Rick, I have lots of customers come it that state this happens only sometimes. Is this how yours acted up or when it quit was it dead completely? Same complaint on Malibu's which I believe is the same part.

Yup, the problem started as an intermittent problem with each assembly. It was very intermittent to the point I doubted myself if I had activated the turn signal to begin with.

I am having mine (09 LS) changed just before my 36,000 is up in a couple of months because the right cancel isn't working. This is great info for when that new one goes....

My wife & I always joke/complain when people with brand new cars never use their turn signals. The older the car-the more they are used.

Now I just look to see if it is a new chevy product and if the signal isn't on the joke is the switch is really probably boken...

I do have to admit though that my HHR really hasn't given me any issues other than the Cam Sensors (replaced under warr), brake light switch (tremendous amount of stopping in NY traffic on a plastic leavered switch, not metal like older ones are, + replaced under warr), and now the turn signal cancellation. Nothing major, and items that are easy enough & cheap enough to fix myself.

Thanks, I think I'm going to try this. I just had my HHR in for service (key stuck in the ignition problem), and when I got it home I realized the signals weren't turning off anymore. I might just call back and see if they'll fix it, but I have a feeling they'll claim it was broken already.

So, I had a terrible thing happen to me. I was doing this and just as I remove the top of the blinker, I sneezed and everything pretty much fell out... (Talk about perfect timing)… Anyway, I was hoping someone could post a picture of the inside of the blinker with just the top lid off, or explain how everything goes because I’ve been trying and can’t seem to get it no matter how I put things.

Thank you!

I figured it out! thanks to sno white for linking me to exactly what was needed!

My cancel thing is not working either. This is on an 07.. I usually get the ding ding ding to let me know I left the blinker on.. Then I am like aww crap... I am not sure that I could repair it myself.. being disabled sucks.. Thanks for the great write up tho..

Thanks for this! I just got a used 2010 HHR and noticed the problem right away, only it is intermittent. I'm going to undergo this fix this weekend while I'm already in there removing the control covers to repaint.

That is correct, it was intermittent on my vehicle too.

Video
 

I tried this and it works great!
I got so excited that I was able to do the repair myself, and saved $50 just on the part, that I made a video, and started my youtube career.:thumb:

.

I hope to make more videos in the future, have any suggestions for easy fixes such as this?

Thanks, Garrick
2007 HHR 1LT(purple)
2011 HHR 1LT(white)

Good Video
 

You might want to put in the description just what the fix, fixes – i.e. the symptoms of the problem. AND what the turning of the spring does. Too bad the video can’t get the detail showing the spring and workings of the innards well. I believe that would take an extra good camera and lens that I know I don't have.

Thanks for the help
 

I will work on these issues, thanks.

:twothumbs:Just fixed mine using this guide. Hasn't neglected to auto-cancel since! Props!!!

Mine doesn't cancel but that is because when I changed the steering wheel I left out the nub. One of these days I am going to put it back, but here in NYC there are a lot of times that I am going to turn, then I move the wheel to avoid something or someone in the street and forgot to use the turn signal again. Got pulled over for it once. So now, I figure it is better to be on then to shut off before I turn.

But, my reason for posting is to ask about another turn signal problem. My turn signal does not activate a left turn unless I hold it down very hard. Started intermittently, then just took a little extra pressure-so I velcroed a heavy bolt to the stalk and it was fine for a while. Now it has progressed, though.

Anybody else have this problem? Right turn stays on, just problem with the left turn.

Well, the problem you describe with the turn signal stalk not remaining in the left turn signal position is definitely a problem with the internals of the stalk assembly. You say you have removed the “nub”; I think you are referring to the cloudy white thing in this picture:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0118.JPG

If so then you may have created the problem by removing the “nub” – it may play additional functions besides just the canceling actuator.

If not I don’t see how with the replacement of the steering wheel you could have removed anything to affect the turn signal canceling. IIRC the part of the steering shaft that did the canceling was much deeper into the steering column assembly than just removing the steering wheel. A review of the drawings in my 2009 FSM circumspectly confirms my thoughts. However, I do not remember exactly what the internals were like just below the steering wheel. (I believe I removed the steering wheel when I added the radio control buttons – not that I had to, I was just curious.)

I would say you have been having a failing turn signal stalk for some time. I’ve not had to address anything else in the stalk to offer any specific advice in its repair.

I would remove the stalk and test for correct operation as described in the first post and then take appropriate measures, i.e. replace the stalk, try repairing the stalk or if the stalk works fine outside the vehicle look for some foreign object in the steering column.

Good Luck.

I never went near the turn signal stalk, so everything there is factory. But when I changed the steering wheel, there was a piece in it which fell out and I never found it. I believe that is what touches the nub to cancel the turn signal. I have to stop by my local dealer and get a schematic of the set up to see for sure.

That said, I think my stalk is also bad, since the left signal does not stay engaged.

IIRC it is a part of the steering shaft that does the canceling, not part of the steering wheel or anything attached to it. When I took the stalk out I looked into the hole from whence it came. I could see the actual steering shaft with either a slot(key way) in the shaft or a protrusion(key). This was different than a 90’s series Chevy truck from my past, which had pins and springs on the steering wheel that would occasionally break.

It may be possible that what you dropped is binding in the steering mechanism somewhere causing one or more of your problems.

My FSM diagrams did not show the operation well enough to determine just what does move to cancel the turn signal.

It was many years ago when I had the steering wheel off, but I recall a pin that went into the back of the hub. I could be wrong though.

U p d a t e
 

As the original poster to this thread, I now have some additional information. During the last two weeks my left turn signal started to fail in canceling once again, this was as before intermittent.

To correct I bent the spring in the direction of the steering shaft and replaced. The first time I did not bend the spring, but simply reversed it. Hope this time it will last longer.

**********

While into the steering column I took pictures of the mechanism that trips the canceller.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0415.JPG

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...0/IMG_0414.JPG

In these two shots one can just see at the top of the pictures a slight difference just below the steering wheel. The two pictures are different only in that I slightly turned the steering wheel. This black plastic piece trips the canceller on the turn signal stalk.

Thank you, Sno White, for the tech post!
 

I feel a little guilty admitting it but my '06 HHR LT just rolled past 129,000 miles this past weekend and all of a sudden, I started encountering no functioning cancel feature on the turn signals. Spent some time at lunch pricing new ones (ouch). There was little warning, maybe one or two hard actuations of the switch and poof - no more cancel feature left or right. Since I am more of a DIYer, your pics & tips are perfect for next weekend's "repair project." I just hope the "milky white plastic tab did not shear off. More to follow on my experience next week. :twothumbs:

I removed the switch and turned the spring around just like it was suggested. It worked great. My signal returns every time now.

Sno white - thanks for the thread here - I'll be pulling my 2006 apart tomorrow if I get time, and giving your fix a try to address problems with my right-turn signals sometimes not cancelling.

Cheers.

Mine started like that too. Wouldn't click into position for a right turn though. Intermittently for a bit, then my turn canceling failed to both sides and now it stays fine to either left or right, but of course doesn't cancel.

I'm gonna get into it this weekend when I have some daylight...hopefully it's the same fix.

And this is why I love this forum... my signals haven't cancelled since I bought it (used). The car was a fleet vehicle and used mainly in our downtown core.. the sales guy and I both figured they were just worn out... however, they DO occasionally work, which tells me the parts are all there... and I'm willing to bet this little trick will cure the problem. Thanks all! (I won't be trying it for a little while... it's COLD out there right now)

Great write up. I have to say, this forum is one of the better ones on the net for repair help and vehicle support. Lot's of dedicated enthusiasts on this site that offer real help. Thanks to the original poster for taking the time to write this up and taking pictures.

This assmebly just went out in my wifes '06 with 95,000 miles on it. Looks like we had better luck with ours then some of you. It's about time. This car has given us fits since we pruchased it in '06 but it hasn't too bad over the last year and half.

When turning left the turn signal stalk doesn't work at all it just pops back up and the blinker doesn't engage. You have to hold the stalk down to keep the blinker engaged while turning left. It works fine while turning right. I'm just going to replace the switch assembly.

I just wanted to let everyone know that can get the genuine AC Delco replacement part from Rock Auto (rockauto.com)for $28.95 plus shipping (which I think was about $4.00). For that price I just ordered a new one and didn't bother repairing the one I had. I ordered one and got in two days. The local dealerships wanted between $84.00 and $102.00 for it. Autozone was $55.00 plus sales tax and they would have to order it.

Going out to install it in my wifes car now.

How about revealing the part number for those wishing to replace theirs. Both the GM and the Rock Auto numbers would be helpful if they are different.

Great post!
 

I just got an '09 the other day and noticed the blinker not always canceling. This happens mostly when the wheel spins out of a turn too fast or the turn is not sharp enough. Glad to know there is a fix out there.

Thanks for the great instructions & pics!
 

I ran into a problem with my 2006 HHR's turn signal cancel feature several weeks back. Got around to taking it out last weekend and was hoping that the metal spring was the culprit; however, it turned out to be a small white piece of plastic that had sheared apart. Naturally, I just HAD to try some JB Weld. It lasted all of about 5 seconds... So, I went down to see my friend at the local GM dealer. Picked up a new one for ~$35. Thanks to the excellent instructions and pictures, the swap out probably didn't take me more than about 15-20 minutes. Thanks for the original post!!! :twothumbs:

good deal.......:thumb:

Great Post with photographs. Also the youtube video is pretty good too.

For me, the turn signal switch on my 06 HHR was broken internally. When I opened it to remove and rearrange the spring, I noticed the white plastic part connected to the actuation coil type spring was fractured. Picked up a new switch on Amazon for $25 including shipping. ACDelco PN D6254E (GM PN 20940099); Made in China of course.

Thanks for posting Sno White - last night I tore mine apart, as the right signal often would not cancel, and reversed the spring and so far tested out just fine. The hardest part was removing the instrument bezel without damaging it - but not a hard job overall. Many thanks.

Welcome to all.

That's why we are all here.

So, bummer for me I just attempted the suggested surgery on our '07 to no avail. Neither left nor right engagement will cancel, and left has intermittent problem where it will not lock in to 'engaged' position. I found a TINY piece of plastic down in the housing of the stalk assembly, down underneath the springs, which must be the problem. Guess it is time for me to order a whole new stalk assembly :-(

Just got done replacing the stalk, was hoping for the easy fix

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps7c121193.jpg

I wonder how many of us need just this part

Multi Function Switch
 

Had the same 'no RH T/S cancel' problem. Oddly enough, so did my wife's '09 Saturn Aura. Anyone else think that GM has a supplier problem???

So I ordered 2 new ones (called multi function switches) from Rock Auto. $62 for both delivered.

The wife's Satty was literally a 15 minute job. The HHR required a little finessing to the cluster bezel, but still only @25 minutes. :D

MD :boetie: