Welcome to the forum wfredell! When the clicking in your head stops, pop into the introductions section and tell us about yourself, and keep us posted on what the dealer finds if you can. This place is very much a knowledge database, besides being a nice place to hang out with friends, so anything you find out will doubtless help someone else.

 

I thought I would update this post as someone sent me a private message experiencing the same issue that I had with my HHR.

After numerous diagnostic checks and troubleshooting, a friend of mine found a relay that was causing the issue. I don't remember the exact name of the part but, it was located on the drivers side under the hood, near the windshield.

The relay wasn't bad, the heat from the windshield and the hood was causing either the relay or the relay slot to expand and come loose. Replacing the relay fixes the issue but, I did buy an extra and keep it in the glovebox. The problem came back about 8 months after it was fixed, I removed the relay and put the new one in and it fixed it again.

I wish I could remember the exact name but, I'm sure you can find it easily.

 

I bet the fuse box halves have come loose, causing a loose connection at the relay thus heat.

 

Yep, and I would add to that bet!!!!

plovell....so next time you experience the problem, push down hard on the relay, OR, pull up on the bottom of the fuse box while pushing down on the relay. I bet that will TEMPORARILY solve your problem.

 

I am having the same problem...replaced relay for parking lights (#68 I think)
It was still intermittent..In frustration I "whacked" the top of the relays, and it started to work O.K.
I think it must be a failing fuse box assembly...????

Any other ideas.

 

I think you my be on the right track.

Make sure all the bolts holding the fuse box to gather are tight. You can also check the connectors on the bottom and look for pins that may have pushed out of place.

 

I think this guy has found out how to fix the electrical gremlin that sometimes pops up with the fuse box.

http://www.yardzoo.us/auto-yourself/...e-box-removal/

 

Thanks for posting that. I was looking for that video and didn't find it.

 

He still thinks there is a battery under there! But a good write up!

 

Hello! Not to beat an old topic ... but my 07 is currently doing the exact same thing. Tail lights are out, and my whole center console is dark. Every other light works, both inside and out. I'm not real car savvy, but from what I've just read it seems like it can be an easier fix? Not a lot of details though as to which relay, etc. If anyone could provide more details I'd greatly appreciate it. I was thinking that it was a specific fuse that had gone bad, but haven't actually been able to figure out which one is which.