Hi. I have a 2006 hhr LT, with about 155,00 miles on it and t won't start. It cranks but is not getting fire, the cranking sounds whiny though. The day before it stopped starting, I was having trouble accelerating, I would push on gas pedal and it would slow take off then rpms would race up to 3/4 and I would let off the gas and push again and it would pick up speed fine. Check engine light is on but the tester did pick up any codes. Single mom hoping it's an easy fix, I just don't know what's wrong. It's getting gas, I can hear the fuel pump filling up the injectors, has a brand new battery also checked fuses and relays, everything looked okay ....... Any suggestions??

 

First question is which engine do you have ? Standard or automatic transmission ?
Check engine light means the OBD system has detected something wrong. Try a better code reader. There is a code stored most likely.

 

It has an automatic transmission ... & auto zones tester is the one that didn't pull out any codes

 

Welcome to the site, any chance of another shop try the code reader?

 

If the engine check light is on, but the code reader they used did not find any codes, then a more comprehensive code reader needs to be used like Firemangeorge says. Oh, check to see if the cigarette lighter/power outlet in the center stack has power - if it doesn't have power, the OBD port will be dead as well (they share the same fuse) - which might explain no codes being downloaded.

Last ditch effort: try disconnecting the NEGATIVE post of the battery for a few minutes - it might clear the code and CEL, and restore drivability. But you will likely clear and loose the code(s).

If the Check Engine Light is flashing - that notes that there is a serious problem, and should not be driven. Hopefully yours is on steady, and NOT flashing?

 

Still need to know which engine you have. The 2006's have differences between the 2.2 and 2.4 that are unique to that year.

 

How I do I tell if it's 2.2 or 2.4 ? And check engine light is on steady. Car lighter does work. & I have a friend who works at auto zone was able to bring tester to me cause car is stuck in driveway, doubtful I'll get that somewhere else cause I don't know anyone lol. Now when I try to start security light and check engine light and abs lights come on and it won't even crank, leading me to believe it is a problem with the computer or maybe security system but I disconnected overnight and still had same issue when I reconnected this morning and tried it.

 

All those lights come on automatically and go off as the engine starts and it runs thru the checks of the various systems, so I would expect them to be on (ie: not a computer problem).

 

At this point, bottom line.................... you need to get the CEL codes read. Without knowing what the code(s) is, everyone is just guessing. I'd suggest getting it towed to a service garage for diagnostics, including the use of an advanced code reader.

We can start suggesting you unplug the computer modules and check the pins, re-plug, check the various grounds, check the voltage at the various fuse boxes, starter etc., but I don't that that is your forte?? Plse correct me if I am wrong.

 

For engine size, check your VIN.
Eighth digit: B=2.2 V=2.4
That info is in your owners manual.