The patient in question is a 2008 HHR LT 2.4 with a manual transmission, and the issue is that the engine refuses to turn over. It randomly decided to quit working a day after I changed winter tires onto it. I went to go start it up, turned the key and absolutely nothing happens. Dash lights, fuel pump etc. do power on and work properly, but the starter wont engage.

Stuff that i already tried:
-charged the battery because it was low, no change in behavior
-checked through all of the fuses and relays, did not find any broken ones.
-checked through all accessible grounding points, all looked fine

I changed the ignition switch because that recall was not done on this car, and that caused the starter solenoid to start doing one short click, but in the ''wrong spot''. The starter solenoid clicks when I turn the key to the RUN position, and when I turn the key to the START position absolutely nothing happens and the solenoid clicks again when I turn the key to the ACC position. This to me just sounds like either the replacement ignition switch is faulty, I somehow managed to install it the wrong way or there is something even more wrong with the car.

I am running out of motivation to work on this car (it has been off the road since December 2023, sure does not help that its really cold outside and I don't have a warm garage to work in, just a cold barn), so any help is appreciated.

Also before anyone asks, yes I did remember to hold the clutch pedal down when trying to start the car, I might be foolish but I ain't dumb

 

Have you checked the clutch safety switch?

 

Strange changing tires caused this. Did you tighten the 4 , 7 mm bolts in the under hood fuse box, good and tight!

 

How about voltage to the starter motor, should be greater than 12.5 volts at all times.
Tried jumping the starter solenoid?
The large red wire on the under hood fuse box comes directly from the battery and continues to the starter then to the alternator.
If the battery won't hold 12.6 volts overnight it is dead.

 

Thank you for the tips, I shall check these and report back as soon as the outside temperatures become actually bearable

 

You should trip the relay and see it it hits. If not we van trace it back.

 

Situation report: I ''bypassed'' the starter relay with a piece of wire and lo and behold, it actually cranked over!
Didn't start tho, probably because the fuel lines are empty because the car has been sitting for a few months

Now to start tracing back and figure out why it wont crank from the key...

 

I use a scan tool to see if the pcm gets a start signal. Check the neutral and ignition switches.

 

A stick shift has an interlock switch on the clutch pedal instead of the park/neutral switch. It won't crank or start unless that switch is engaged. Really it is a "pedal position sensor" that sends a signal to the ECM, it also turns the cruise control off.

Are you sure that you replaced the ignition switch and lock with the recall parts (not off the shelf replacement parts)?

 

Yes, they were GM recall parts if I remember correctly.