Is there a way to retrieve codes without a scantool? I remember with my caravan I used to be able to retrieve codes by turning the key a certain number of times. I just picked up my new-to-me HHR on Wednesday, and I have a 3yr bumper to bumper on it, but It's a long weekend and I don't feel like waiting until Tuesday to get this thing to stop dumping fuel.

I was driving a bit spirited on friday night, and suddenly got a blinking CEL. At that point it began missing, running rough in general, and dumping fuel like it's in limp mode. Yesterday I disconnected the battery for about 20 minutes hoping to reset the computer, but it didn't help. The car ran smooth for about 5 minutes and then began missing again and the blinking CEL returned. My fuel economy was 26L/100km at that point, I got it on the highway because I had no choice but to go out of town yesterday, drove it about 150km and got it down to 17L/100km. That's horrendous, even a 7.0L corvette gets 9.4L/100km on the highway.

BTW 2007 1LT 2.4 5spd

 

I remember getting to codes off of my '95 Saturn with a paperclip by bridging the pins on the diag connector. That is a no go on modern OBDII. You need a scan tool.

 

yeah the saturn was OBDI, I think my caravan was obdII but turning the key a few times made it blink out the codes.

 

I guess there's no autozone or advanced autos up in Ontario?

 

Nah dude, we just have partsource and they don't do DTC recovery at all, they have loan-a-tool but they wont loan scan tools. Well probably because if they did they might have trouble selling them for $300

 

Hit up CanadianTire as they often have half deacent code readers on sale for about $90 - reg $200. I picked up one from them a couple years ago - was a good investment, and you get to help out some neighbours once they hear you have one.

And, no unfortunately there is no manual way with the HHR - you definately need a code reader.

 

You could buy a trifecta tune for it, it helps the 2.4 immensely, and has a code reader/reset in the software.

 

I got one of the OBDII bluetooth plugs on ebay for $20, works fine with my android or nokia cellphone. If you were in Mississauga/oakville Id offer to come over, but hamilton you'd have to buy timmies. LOL
At this point, wait till tomorrow and take it back to where you got it from, they better do something about it.

 

I hope you're not driving it in the meantime. A a blinking check engine light is a warning of an engine misfire that can potentially cause damage to the catalytic converter due to unburnt fuel getting down the exhaust stream. This can cause the catalyst to heat up and melt or fuse together.