Diagnose help
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-11-2020
Posts: 10
From: Cambridge, MD
Diagnose help
I have a 2010 Chevy HHR LT (not sure if it's a 2.2 or 2.4) and I need help diagnosing and fixing these issues and more:
Symptoms:
1.Air bag indicator light goes on and off at random times, with no indication as to why?
2. Check engine light goes on and off, it's saying its a 02 sensor, but the indicator light rarely comes on. Stays on for a little while, and the sometimes stays on for a week +
3. The car would shut off at random times, without any indication why, when driving the car. Mechanic told me that unplugging the stereo would keep it from happening due to a short. It has worked so far. Another mechanic told me that the stereo is just dead and no longer works. Another mechanic agreed with me and said the short is coming from the computer underneath the seat in the back. And each mechanic was not 100% on the proper solution and wasn't really clear on their ideas to fix it. I don't know how to fix this or know which one is doing their job right?
4. Short battery life ( I ask because I am curious if a short to one of the computers can affect that)? I will be getting a better battery with taxes anyway.
5.The turn signal, I have to hold down to keep it on through out the turn.
6. A friend of mine and me replaced the disc brakes in the back, and they squeal from time to time usually when I brake hard.
Symptoms:
1.Air bag indicator light goes on and off at random times, with no indication as to why?
2. Check engine light goes on and off, it's saying its a 02 sensor, but the indicator light rarely comes on. Stays on for a little while, and the sometimes stays on for a week +
3. The car would shut off at random times, without any indication why, when driving the car. Mechanic told me that unplugging the stereo would keep it from happening due to a short. It has worked so far. Another mechanic told me that the stereo is just dead and no longer works. Another mechanic agreed with me and said the short is coming from the computer underneath the seat in the back. And each mechanic was not 100% on the proper solution and wasn't really clear on their ideas to fix it. I don't know how to fix this or know which one is doing their job right?
4. Short battery life ( I ask because I am curious if a short to one of the computers can affect that)? I will be getting a better battery with taxes anyway.
5.The turn signal, I have to hold down to keep it on through out the turn.
6. A friend of mine and me replaced the disc brakes in the back, and they squeal from time to time usually when I brake hard.
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Welcome
1.Air bag indicator - check the connection under the passenger seat as it detects the weight of a passenger and activates the readiness of the air bag for the passenger
2. what is the code that is generated?
3. If leaving the stereo unplugged has resolved the problem, then it must be due to a problem with the stereo - right?
- "Another mechanic agreed with me and said the short is coming from the computer underneath the seat in the back" - please clarify what you mean - are you saying you blame the compuyter and the mechanic agrees?
4. yes but very unlikely - and why do you think a "better battery with taxes anyway" will resolve it - and what do you mean with "taxes"?
5. Replace the switch (yes it comes with the whole arm) - it's a 15 minute job to switch - use the search tool at the top of the page to get details on how to change it
6. then you replaced the wrong parts - sorry, but they do not come with disk brakes in the rear.
1.Air bag indicator - check the connection under the passenger seat as it detects the weight of a passenger and activates the readiness of the air bag for the passenger
2. what is the code that is generated?
3. If leaving the stereo unplugged has resolved the problem, then it must be due to a problem with the stereo - right?
- "Another mechanic agreed with me and said the short is coming from the computer underneath the seat in the back" - please clarify what you mean - are you saying you blame the compuyter and the mechanic agrees?
4. yes but very unlikely - and why do you think a "better battery with taxes anyway" will resolve it - and what do you mean with "taxes"?
5. Replace the switch (yes it comes with the whole arm) - it's a 15 minute job to switch - use the search tool at the top of the page to get details on how to change it
6. then you replaced the wrong parts - sorry, but they do not come with disk brakes in the rear.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
1 There was a recall or TSB in regards to seat belt lights coming on. Check with your local Chevy or GM dealer.
2 Check engine lights don't tell you "parts". You need to have the Check engine light "codes" pulled. Post them up here and then we can point you to the fix.
Code numbers only. EX: P0001, P0002 .
3 Has the ignition recall work been done ?
4. Not sure what you mean here. Explain a little with details.
5. The turn signal switch needs replacement. Simple job.
6. There are no disc brakes in the back. Those are drum brakes that have brake shoes. Guessing you didn't resurface the brake drums ? Probably have a bad spot on the drum surface.
2 Check engine lights don't tell you "parts". You need to have the Check engine light "codes" pulled. Post them up here and then we can point you to the fix.
Code numbers only. EX: P0001, P0002 .
3 Has the ignition recall work been done ?
4. Not sure what you mean here. Explain a little with details.
5. The turn signal switch needs replacement. Simple job.
6. There are no disc brakes in the back. Those are drum brakes that have brake shoes. Guessing you didn't resurface the brake drums ? Probably have a bad spot on the drum surface.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-11-2020
Posts: 10
From: Cambridge, MD
[QUOTE=whopper;888710]Welcome
1) it's not about weight, it will come on at different times during driving.
3. If leaving the stereo unplugged has resolved the problem, then it must be due to a problem with the stereo - right? Thats why I was concerned with the last mechanics thoughts. He had gone through and checked all the fuses and checked for electrical current. He said the short came from the computer under the seat. The reason the stereo was unplugged because the first mechanic told us that the mail computer is there and disconnecting the stereo would assist. While it works to keep the car from Shutting off, I believe the short is affecting other things such as the air bag light.
4. Batteries been in it for almost 50,000+. Tax refund* delivery driving isn't what it used to be.
5. Replace the switch (yes it comes with the whole arm) - it's a 15 minute job to switch - use the search tool at the top of the page to get details on how to change it-thank you
6. I meant that we changed the spring brake pads. Sorry, I was rushing this morning.
1) it's not about weight, it will come on at different times during driving.
3. If leaving the stereo unplugged has resolved the problem, then it must be due to a problem with the stereo - right? Thats why I was concerned with the last mechanics thoughts. He had gone through and checked all the fuses and checked for electrical current. He said the short came from the computer under the seat. The reason the stereo was unplugged because the first mechanic told us that the mail computer is there and disconnecting the stereo would assist. While it works to keep the car from Shutting off, I believe the short is affecting other things such as the air bag light.
4. Batteries been in it for almost 50,000+. Tax refund* delivery driving isn't what it used to be.
5. Replace the switch (yes it comes with the whole arm) - it's a 15 minute job to switch - use the search tool at the top of the page to get details on how to change it-thank you
6. I meant that we changed the spring brake pads. Sorry, I was rushing this morning.
Last edited by Geremy Smith; Mar 18, 2020 at 08:00 AM.
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
1) it's not about weight, it will come on at different times during driving. I tried. Check the connection. Pull it apart and plug it back in at least.
3. If leaving the stereo unplugged has resolved the problem, then it must be due to a problem with the stereo - right? Thats why I was concerned with the last mechanics thoughts. He had gone through and checked all the fuses and checked for electrical current. He said the short came from the computer under the seat. The reason the stereo was unplugged because the first mechanic told us that the mail computer is there and disconnecting the stereo would assist. While it works to keep the car from Shutting off, I believe the short is affecting other things such as the air bag light. - I would say that is still an unlikely issue - and that the two items are not related. Will you at least make an effort to check the connection under the passenger seat?
4. Batteries been in it for almost 50,000+. Tax refund* delivery driving isn't what it used to be. Have you tested the battery? Mileage means absolutely nothing related to the state of the battery. Why replace it if it is still good?
5. Replace the switch (yes it comes with the whole arm) - it's a 15 minute job to switch - use the search tool at the top of the page to get details on how to change it-thank you
6. I meant that we changed the spring brake pads. Sorry, I was rushing this morning. There are no such things as "spring brake pads" - do you mean the rear brake SHOES? If so, have the rear brakes been adjusted manually properly, and were all the appropriate components lubricated after a thorough cleaning?
3. If leaving the stereo unplugged has resolved the problem, then it must be due to a problem with the stereo - right? Thats why I was concerned with the last mechanics thoughts. He had gone through and checked all the fuses and checked for electrical current. He said the short came from the computer under the seat. The reason the stereo was unplugged because the first mechanic told us that the mail computer is there and disconnecting the stereo would assist. While it works to keep the car from Shutting off, I believe the short is affecting other things such as the air bag light. - I would say that is still an unlikely issue - and that the two items are not related. Will you at least make an effort to check the connection under the passenger seat?
4. Batteries been in it for almost 50,000+. Tax refund* delivery driving isn't what it used to be. Have you tested the battery? Mileage means absolutely nothing related to the state of the battery. Why replace it if it is still good?
5. Replace the switch (yes it comes with the whole arm) - it's a 15 minute job to switch - use the search tool at the top of the page to get details on how to change it-thank you
6. I meant that we changed the spring brake pads. Sorry, I was rushing this morning. There are no such things as "spring brake pads" - do you mean the rear brake SHOES? If so, have the rear brakes been adjusted manually properly, and were all the appropriate components lubricated after a thorough cleaning?
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama