Any OBD2 scanner should work on any vehicle built since 1996. That is the point of OBD2. If it doesn't work look for whatever fuse powers it. On the HHR it is the front cig lighter fuse.

Before 1996 there was OBD1 that flashed the CEL for codes after you shorted a couple of pins.

 

Not the case here, this el-cheapo has its moments of which vehicles it doesnt like.... I need to invest in a better one, I want one that will program keys and work the ABS system too

 

Thanks. The light housings came swapped today yet early Wasnt supposed to get headlights til monday from UPS and USPS didnt get my package in time to be delivered today so it should be here tomorrow ( called but they wouldnt let me come pick it up ) anyways..... out with the old and in with the new

 

Very nice new lights! I can’t even get my sister in law to stop by so I can replace a headlight bulb, her driver’s side low beam has be out for over a year!

 

She'll stop by once she gets a ticket LOL Had that happen too many times in my youths.
Tails came in today, so shes lookin sexy !
Im debating painting the truck, weither to stay with the dark graphite grey or go Matte Black... Maybe 2tone with grey upper and lower with Matte center as it would tie in the tail lights across the tailgate, possibly add some extra lights?

 

Matte black is a bear to keep clean, even John Deere tractor flat black. It wouldn’t be much to mask it off and spray the middle a dark grey or gloss black. Tremclad turbo rattle can , 3 should cover the the area you’re looking at.

 

I have a buddy thats a body/paint man. We done a few of my vehicles, Id do a lot of the body work and he would lay the paint..... Im going to repair the rear wells again but the rockers need cut and replaced, whats left of them anyways.
I think Im going to stay with the dark graphite.... Not sure if I want to try 2 stage myself or go with a single stage I am comfortable with?
Anyways, shes out for a little sun, time to shine, hopefully inspections Monday???

 

Very good work!

 

Thank you. I fought through it all, didnt want to start it but My wife said it was cheaper to repair it than to buy another truck, I agree.
Once I bit the bullet and started the tear down, I was close to walking away but once the motor started coming apart it got easier , I guess all the wires made me nervous but the mechanical parts Im comfortable with.... I just hate electronics as one little opps can throw the whole thing into chaos. Some info I readm that a lot of people experience is the timing and first start up, that it fires then dies after a few seconds and wont restart. I turned the key and waited for the dreaded shut down that never happened, I was tickled pink ! I was careful in my research and reading the Haynes ( some things were off ) so I hoped what I followed was the best for this rebuild .... Now with no history on this HHR for the tining chain and Im over 180K.... Im debating replacing them but My wife wants a different vehicle so not sure if she wants to trade it , sell it or keep it ( loves the great mpgs ) Im looking into a trailer for next year, would love a dump trailer but $6-8K is quite a bit, so may stick with a large utility for $2K ?

 

So it fail inspections, just minor.... 1 monitor wasnt ready and an upper ball joint. Replaced the upper control arm myself ( couldnt see $550 for the shop to replace a $60 part took me all but 30 minutes then installed all new lug nuts to get rid of those crappy clad nuts. Reinspection this week sometimes when I get it up there... meanwhile, murdering some badges. Going to repaint the truck grey , make it sleek