Hey everyone,

I have a 2008 Chevy HHR LS with about 101,000 miles on it. I have been trying to start it since Sunday, but have had no luck. The last time I started it was about 3 weeks ago and it started up with no issues, it just needed a jump. I replaced my battery thinking that it was the issue, since it was 6 years old, but still no luck. I turned the key and all of the lights came on, but no sound from the starter. I checked the fuses inside the car and in the engine bay, but none of them were blown, I tried to swap them around, and I have even tried hitting the starter, but none of these methods worked either. I cleaned up the battery terminal connections and the connections to the fuse box in the engine bay, but that hasn't worked either. This is my first time owning an HHR, so I'm not sure what are the major issues that could cause it not to start. If anyone has any insight into the cause, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Also, there are no check engine light codes.

 

First Welcome to the site. Try tightening the four 7 mm bolts in the under hood fuse box. Check for a loose ground wire there’s one connected to the transmission down to the right of the oil filter housing, it goes over to the radiator cradle by the drivers headlight.

These 4 bolts 7 mm

 

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I tightened the 4 bolts, and checked for a loose ground wire connection, but the ground wire connection was tight and a bit rusty, not sure if I should take the nut off. I sprayed some WD-40 on it in the case that I need to take it off. I did clean the connection behind the drivers headlight (in the 2nd photo). I tried to start it, but nothing happened except my key keeps getting locked in the column and I have to unlock it using the access hole. What do you think I should try next?

 

There was a recall for the ignition way back when, it might be the ignition switch. Any work done lately? Wires repaired? It could be the starter has given up.

 

No work has been done to it, except for me replacing the turn signal switch and cabin air filter when I returned. It started 3 weeks ago and then sat for 3 weeks as I was not available to drive it. Then when I returned it no longer cranked or started anymore. I replaced the battery thinking that was the problem, since I knew the old battery was dying and couldn't hold a charge. Then, when I put a new one in it still refused to crank. At first when I put the key in, it allowed me to remove it, but now after continuous tries the key gets stuck in the ignition and I have to use the access hole to get it out. I also checked for recalls, but this car has none.

 

That key sticking tells me the new battery might not be fully charged.

 

I'll try to charge it

 

Overnight if possible.

 

The current battery voltage is at 12.18 volts, what should the suggested voltage be for this car?

 

The key gets locked when there is a dead battery. Since you have a new battery that means the connections or fuses. Have you checked the fuses in both boxes? Check them fo voltage and continuity.
If the cat sat for a time there are chances that rodents chewed on wires.