KYR12

Yesterday evening my father-in-law and I changed the brake pads on my HHR. When I turned the car on at first it acted like it didn't want to start and made a clicking noise. When it did start the "SERVICE AIR BAG" message was flashing.

Later on that evening I went out to start the car to go somewhere and it wouldn't start at all, the XM Radio said to check the receiver, the lights were dim, and the dinging noise for an open door was sporadic. We figured that the starter was out, so he tapped on it with a hammer while I tried to start the car. All we got was clicks and a strange humming sound.

Later on we decided to try to boost the car, and it worked. I let the car run for several minutes, shut it off and turned it back on. I repeated the off and on process twice just to be sure it would start, but both times the entire time it ran the light for the anti-theft device stayed on.

Today I started the car, but at first it was a bit sluggish at turning over and the anti-theft light wasn't on.

I know it's starting now, but i'm wondering if anyone has had this issue or can offer any insight as to what it may be.

Lucky

sounds like its time to replace the battery. low cranking voltage will cause all kinds of eletronic problems. i would go to my local parts store and get the battery tested.

Lucky

and welcome to the site

donbrew

Welcome to the site.
I bet he accidentally left the headlights on while he worked on the car. I have left the key in the "on" position so that I could turn the steering wheels, that turns the headlights on.

Battery went too low sets the anti-theft light, starting the car will clear that. Not sure about the air bag light, did it go out?

The battery will take quite a while to charge back up, so don't get all confident overnight.

KYR12

Thanks for the welcomes.

It seems to be working well at the moment. I'm pretty sure the key wasn't left on while we were working on the car but i'm wondering if maybe the extremely cold weather here had something to do with my loss of battery power?

Either way ... it's working at the moment!

Thanks!

donbrew

Go to a local Autozone/Advance/Oreilly your favorite. Ask them to test your electrical system, it's free.

phrog fixer

Check this, under the hood is a red cap(+) open the cap and make sure that the nut is tight. If it is not it well cause all kinds of electrical issues. It is the main distribution point from the battery under the hood. It does back off.