I had to have my shifter replaced because of a small microswitch that went bad causing me not to be able to lock my steering wheel and remove the key. This happened to a friend of mine as well. It cost us over $300. If this happens to you be sure to email Chevy about it. I talked to them about making it a recall and they said that it hadn't happened to enough people yet. If enough people report this they will make it a recall and we can all get reimbersed for it.

 

GM already knows how often it happens because they are the ones who sell the part to the dealers. Simple logic says X number of shifters sold equal number of times this has happened.

 

AT just over 65,000 miles, my shifter also broke. I was able to take it in today and the dealer is gonna split the cost with me 50/50 and I get a loaner for the weekend for free. They are a great dealer!!!!! btw, your answer is so true!!!! (Chevydlr)! lol

 

Mine did this briefly once. I would say the problem is in the switch but I really don't know.

 

don't worry- I had to replace the same part in my 97 vw GTI 3 times with the same symptoms at 160 dollars a-pop. the last 2 times it happened within 1 month and as always vw denied a knowledge of the reciprocal problem.

 

The switch is the problem, but you can't buy just the switch. They only sell the whole thing.

 

If you are out of warranty go to www.car-part.com This is a search engine for salvage yards in North America. I have found quite a few wrecked HHR's that have barely used parts.

 

I was lucky , that it happened during the warranty period

 

I was lucky a few weeks back, I found a new shifter on Ebay that has the updated parts on it ?/ I was so lucky , I put in a bid for $20. 00 then I decided to up that to $40. I could not beleive that I ended up with it for only $15.50 + shipping.
The same afternoon the mailman dropped it off I had it installed myself. So the $300 job + only ended up costing me $30.50 a far cry from a $300 bill at the dealership. I have not seen another shifter on Ebay since then.
After I removed the old one I found out what the problem was ?? there is a steel rod that runs right & left of the shifter stick that had worked itself to the left and away from the micro switch that allows the key to be removed from the switch. Before anyone questions anything I did slide the rod back in place and pluged the wire harness back in and the key came right out. If winter was not approching I would have glued it in place to see how long it will last ?? If by chance the new one does the same thing I'll be ready to make the swap.

 

I was able to have my shifter replaced, an oil change, tires rotated and balanced, and a new air freshener ffor $163.00! And my car has 65,000 miles on it. You gotta love it when your dealer helps you out!