So, I have a 2007 HHR 2.4L. My husband changed the front rotor (driver's side), which he ended up having to cut off, after banging it for 6 hours with a sledge hammer, using a puller, and also threading bolts through the backend in order to break it loose, all to no avail. Anyway, after he got it the new one on, the car's battery was totally dead. He did have the key on for about 10 minutes in order to turn the wheel to cut the rotor off so kind of shocking that the battery was dead.

Anyways, we jumped the car and took it down the street and about 1/4 mile from home I lost all power to the car, it was almost like it was possessed, all the dash lights came on, power steering warning, door locks engaging and disengaging, etc. etc. then it totally died. Jumped it again, and about half way home, died again with the same result, sputtering and all sorts of warning lights going across the dash so we ended up pushing it back home.

So long story short, we had the alternator rebuilt, even though it was shooting out 13.7 when tested, the mechanic took it apart and said the dials were gone and ended up rebuilding it. Put the rebuilt alternator in the car and guess what, same problem.

The car starts but once you apply the brakes it shuts down. What the hell is going on. It is almost like it the polarity has been reversed and it is draining the battery (which I also had tested, and is fine). What could be the problem, EVAP, vacuum line??? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as my "money tree" is bare.

 

What points did you attach the jumper cables to?

 

X2 for that question, also how old is the battery? It’s concidered dead at 12.0 volts

 

Hi Suzie, to the forums!!

3 things come to mind.
1. Dead Battery
2. All the banging jostled the underhood fuse block
3. A wheel speed sensor(if equipped) may have been damaged or shorted.

Are there any CEL codes stored in the computer?

 

 

Maybe. Maybe not. I would be more inclined to look at the battery. Since the battery went dead after only having the key on a short time, the battery may not charge back up if it's bad.
Even if the alternator is charging, a bad battery won't hold the voltage necessary for the HHR electronics to work.
The OP should have the charging system checked again. My bet is that draining the battery the 1st time effectively "killed" it.

 

 

Or the OP comes back to participate.

 

Or doesn't come back.
1 time posters saying they are looking for help then don't return.
I'm out.

 

Just seeing the handle she chose did it for me!