My 2011 HHR started dinging and would not stay locked on the drivers door with the power lock. It acts like the key is still in the ignition. The ding stopped and I've had the recall taken care of on the ignition switch but the drivers door still won't stay locked. It just pops right back up. It looks to be stuck in the "Lockout Protection" the manual references on page 3-12. Does any one have any idea how to fix this? I don't know if it will work with the fob or not, it stopped working before the issue started and I haven't replaced it yet.

 

aboard QuiltMom!

I moved your post over to the Problems etc. Sub-Forum, so it'll be viewed by our tech savy gang.

From what you're describing, I hate to say a trip to your Dealership or a good Independent Tech with GM experience is in order.

It sounds as if you may have a fault in the BCM(Body Control Module), which is one of the many Brains in an HHR.

A technician can hook your vehicle up to what's known as a Tech II Scan Tool and query the module for any stored fault codes.

Sometimes we recommend folks give their HHR's a "Lobotomy" as an experimental cure for electrical glitches, a Lobotomy involves disconnecting the NEGATIVE battery cable to reset all the onboard modules to their factory defaults.

But in cases involving the Security System, PassLock II System, or the Anti Theft Immobizer. I'm very hesitant to recommend the "Lobotomy" approach.

 

does a key fob have a stuck button? Or, in a pocket or purse? Or, chidren playing with key rings?

It has happened!

 

Or could it have gone through the laundry, it's happened, and that makes for very unhappy key fobs.

 

I'm thinking low car battery, or gummed up lock mechanism

 

You should have two key fobs. Remove the battery from the one that seems to be malfunctioning and try the other one. Sounds like a worn out or broken key fob (remote), if you drop them enough times they break and need to be soldered.

 

I only received 1 key & fob when I purchased it used. I know it's not the fob because I haven't used it or carried it in 2 years - long before the lock issue started. My local dealer is very rude and unprofessional, and they left my car smelling like an ashtray the last time I had to take it to them. I'll try another town over for a dealership and see if they can help. I'd so hoped it was going to be an easy fix!

 

Could be that something inside the door is binding on the mechanism preventing from getting fully locked.

Or all of that manual locking and unlocking has broken the motor in the lock.

Maybe a visit to a body shop or locksmith or learn how to take the door trim panel off and inspect the workings yourself.

A dealership is only REQUIRED these days for recall work. Many good shops have the computers necessary for most jobs. It may cost you a days rental of TisWeb data.

 

Here's a how to

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bUYaZwlskyY