Recently acquired this vehicle from a small dealer, and noticed I’m unable to use my parking lights or manually turn my headlights off. The automatic lights still turn off after the car’s ignition is off, but can’t turn them off when the car is running. The headlight switch doesn’t allow me to turn to the off setting, it just springs right back up to auto. Setting the switch to parking lights or low beams doesn’t change the headlights brightness in any way. High beams still activate like normal by pushing the stick forwards/backwards. I’ve been trying to research this issue through this forum and educate myself, but found conflicting causes. I’ve heard it could be a fuse, it could need new headlights, the BCM could need checked, the car could need a new headlight stalk/turn signal switch, etc. Has anyone else faced a similar issue with their 2007 HHR?

Video of the issue described (I can’t attach the file to this post directly for whatever reason): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c0XfziRHIadxMG5rseSdzA8D4yxsfuzi/view?usp=drivesdk

 

to the forums!

After you turn the stalk down(and it springs back to auto), the headlights should be off. If you're trying this in the daylight, you could get out and see if they are off. If they are still on, replacing the stalk should fix it.

 

Day Time Running Lights are low beams that are turned on when the engine is on and the gearshift is in a gear, with no tail lights.
FREE digital Owner Manual via the link in my sig.

 

Sounds like normal operation to me. Only way I know to turn off DRL’s is by turning on the fog lights.

Read the owners manual. Don’t have one ? There a link to the manuals in Donbrews signature above ^^^

 

Resolved. RJ_RS_SS_350 was correct assuming the turn signal stalk needed replacement. After installing a brand new stick, I can confirm that was the issue. All headlight settings work perfectly fine now. Thank you to those who replied for being patient and welcoming. I’m adding another video for anyone who may experience a similar issue like mine, showing the issue I was facing at nighttime:

 

Glad it's fixed! And thanks for clarification.

 

Why would you want to turn the headlights off at night? They go off by themselves after you pull the key out. On when you put the trans in gear at night.
The first night I owned my 2008 I turned the headlights on and forgot to turn them off when I parked it, woke up needing a jump. Then I read the Owner Manual. Never turned them on again.
The heads are on all the time night basically turns the tails on. Best to let the computer take over. Skynet is trying to help.

 

Thank you for the follow up, keep it clean and drive it often!!