Aux Input Issue on my first Vehicle/HHR
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-28-2008
Posts: 12
From: kc
Aux Input Issue on my first Vehicle/HHR
I have just boughten my first car
and it happens to be a 2007 HHR!
i really enjoy the vehicle minus a couple of flaws that i did not notice on the dealership lot. this is a used HHR with 24k miles on it and it has a couple paint chips on the hood and such, and after reading the forums about needing running boards (of which mine does not have) im starting to worry about the future of my vehicles exterior! ive also noticed a chip out of my windshield, a very small pebble like chip, not a crack... that annoys me too! and there is a long thin scuff/scrape that does not cut the paint and looks like it should wash off but it doesnt...
anyway! my question... which if this is an issue with my car, will probably put me over the edge and return it for a new hhr:
does the HHR (or 2007 LS HHR) have an issue with its AUX Input not playing in Stereo sound??? today i grabbed a 3.5mm plug and plugged my zune into the HHR to listen to some of my music... to my dismay, it was only playing out of the drivers side speakers!
i messed with balance fade etc etc etc no to avail. regular radio plays out of all speakers fine.
tomorrow im going to try an ipod (instead of the zune), a CD, and a new cable (although the cable should not be the issue as i believe single male male 1/8th inch input cables run mono and its up to the device to split that to stereo) and see if the issue continues...
is this a common problem? is there a solution? i havent even seen mention of this on the forums so that makes me worry!
any help would be greatly appreciated!
also what do you guys think about my other issues? would you take it back if you found a couple small paint chips and a chip out of the windshield? and top on the possibility the aux input may not be working properly?
-Mark Downing Heese
and it happens to be a 2007 HHR!
i really enjoy the vehicle minus a couple of flaws that i did not notice on the dealership lot. this is a used HHR with 24k miles on it and it has a couple paint chips on the hood and such, and after reading the forums about needing running boards (of which mine does not have) im starting to worry about the future of my vehicles exterior! ive also noticed a chip out of my windshield, a very small pebble like chip, not a crack... that annoys me too! and there is a long thin scuff/scrape that does not cut the paint and looks like it should wash off but it doesnt...
anyway! my question... which if this is an issue with my car, will probably put me over the edge and return it for a new hhr:
does the HHR (or 2007 LS HHR) have an issue with its AUX Input not playing in Stereo sound??? today i grabbed a 3.5mm plug and plugged my zune into the HHR to listen to some of my music... to my dismay, it was only playing out of the drivers side speakers!
i messed with balance fade etc etc etc no to avail. regular radio plays out of all speakers fine.
tomorrow im going to try an ipod (instead of the zune), a CD, and a new cable (although the cable should not be the issue as i believe single male male 1/8th inch input cables run mono and its up to the device to split that to stereo) and see if the issue continues...
is this a common problem? is there a solution? i havent even seen mention of this on the forums so that makes me worry!
any help would be greatly appreciated!
also what do you guys think about my other issues? would you take it back if you found a couple small paint chips and a chip out of the windshield? and top on the possibility the aux input may not be working properly?
-Mark Downing Heese
Senior Member
Joined: 01-02-2008
Posts: 1,529
From: Nashville, TN
I know it sounds simple, but when using this type of plug if it is not fully seated you will only hear one side of the sound. Make sure the plug is fully seated in both the AUX port and the output port on your player.
Senior Member
Joined: 12-14-2007
Posts: 246
From: Orlando, Florida
I have my Sirius connected with a 3.5mm cable and it sounds great, no issues. I do know that the S50 Sirius model only put out 1 channel so I ran it via FM so I would be sure to check out another source. Tim is right too.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-21-2007
Posts: 565
From: Bass Lake, CA
What I've quoted above is incorrect. You need stereo plugs/cables. And make sure it's plugged all the way in as mentioned previously.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-28-2008
Posts: 12
From: kc
well ill definitely pick up a new cable tomorrow and try it out to see! the current cable im using is one that i keep in my "cable bag"... only reason i didnt buy a new cable yet was because i can only find 6ft cables and i really only need like a 1-2ft cable tops!
what do you guys think of the other issues? i think as long as my aux is fine that i wont give returning it much thought, i got a great price and really car shopping was not only a long and grooling drag but filling out paperwork was just as bad!!!... the paint is barely noticeable except to an owner (^_-) same with the windshield chip...
ill update as soon as ive tried with a new cable and other devices!
i look forward to learning more about the HHR's, ive really become smitten with mine over the past few days! and it wasn't even on my list of "to buy" vehicles =D
what do you guys think of the other issues? i think as long as my aux is fine that i wont give returning it much thought, i got a great price and really car shopping was not only a long and grooling drag but filling out paperwork was just as bad!!!... the paint is barely noticeable except to an owner (^_-) same with the windshield chip...
ill update as soon as ive tried with a new cable and other devices!
i look forward to learning more about the HHR's, ive really become smitten with mine over the past few days! and it wasn't even on my list of "to buy" vehicles =D
Member
Joined: 01-13-2008
Posts: 71
From: Guthrie, OK
well ill definitely pick up a new cable tomorrow and try it out to see! the current cable im using is one that i keep in my "cable bag"... only reason i didnt buy a new cable yet was because i can only find 6ft cables and i really only need like a 1-2ft cable tops!
what do you guys think of the other issues? i think as long as my aux is fine that i wont give returning it much thought, i got a great price and really car shopping was not only a long and grooling drag but filling out paperwork was just as bad!!!... the paint is barely noticeable except to an owner (^_-) same with the windshield chip...
ill update as soon as ive tried with a new cable and other devices!
i look forward to learning more about the HHR's, ive really become smitten with mine over the past few days! and it wasn't even on my list of "to buy" vehicles =D
what do you guys think of the other issues? i think as long as my aux is fine that i wont give returning it much thought, i got a great price and really car shopping was not only a long and grooling drag but filling out paperwork was just as bad!!!... the paint is barely noticeable except to an owner (^_-) same with the windshield chip...
ill update as soon as ive tried with a new cable and other devices!
i look forward to learning more about the HHR's, ive really become smitten with mine over the past few days! and it wasn't even on my list of "to buy" vehicles =D
Senior Member
Joined: 07-12-2006
Posts: 1,703
From: NE Ohio
Mark! You've definitely come to the right place for anything & everything 
The windshield chip can probably be repaired if it's not cracked, and the paint blemish also if not through the basecoat. Try some POLISHING compound, not rubbing compound, to polish away the scuff and, depending on the severity, will probably go away & only you will ever know it was there ( and of course the dealer you bought it from that should have done it before the thing was ever offered for sale!) Anyway, good luck & enjoy!
Senior Member
Joined: 01-01-2008
Posts: 991
From: Windsor, Ca
dont worry...I did the same thing on another car. The best way to tell if it is a stereo cable or not is to pull it half-way out of the aux jack...if the sound switches to the other side of the car...you have the wrong cable.
GM sells them for $6
radio shack sells them for $6
stereo shops sell them for $6
they're on ebay for $3.99+ $2.50 shipping.
I am willing to bet your aux-in cable is not stereo. Look for the two black bands on the ends of each jack, as mentioned above.
as for the condition of the car...get over it. Tough love, I know...but screw it. Just do what you can to make it your own.
as for the long scratches, there are many polishes/waxes out there that will adress surface scratches, and remove them...McGuires ScratchX is one...it comes in a tube like suntan lotion...it works magic. Or, find your local detailer and ask them what they use...half of what a detailer does, is what the owner cannot...and they do this by using the right products...
the windshield...check with your insurance company...many offer low-deductible glass replacement since windshields are considered a safety item...and they dont want you crashing due to a cracked/chipped windscreen.
if not, then check with a windshield repair company...they fill/sand/polish it like body work...the "dot" remains, but it is so much less distracting.
if you need running boards, buy them...save up, and get a set...or at least some mud flaps...also, you can buy invisible bra material...many Porsche owners used clear protectant tape to replace their ailing/fading rear fender flares as 'gravel protectors' in the 80's...you can do the same..
I am like you...in fact, many of us are...we see a car...it looks perfect to us...we are blinded by enthusiasm, and the car's finish looks flawless...on the lot.
after your first wash/detail, all kinds of blemishes appear. It's as if the dealer's prep/detailers use some magic time-release potion to hide the flaws...until it is sold.
find the positives in the car. why you bought it...why you like it...and what you can do to improve it.
I did. I didnt want "gray"...but I soon discovered, my car isnt gray...it is DSM(dark silver metallic), and it is all mine...it looks clean, all the time, the color will never go out of style, and it matches any graphics/two-tone color I wish to go with, should I decide to go that route.
so...remember what attracted you to it...and savor that...and in time, you'll find a way to get passed its flaws.
GM sells them for $6
radio shack sells them for $6
stereo shops sell them for $6
they're on ebay for $3.99+ $2.50 shipping.
I am willing to bet your aux-in cable is not stereo. Look for the two black bands on the ends of each jack, as mentioned above.
as for the condition of the car...get over it. Tough love, I know...but screw it. Just do what you can to make it your own.
as for the long scratches, there are many polishes/waxes out there that will adress surface scratches, and remove them...McGuires ScratchX is one...it comes in a tube like suntan lotion...it works magic. Or, find your local detailer and ask them what they use...half of what a detailer does, is what the owner cannot...and they do this by using the right products...
the windshield...check with your insurance company...many offer low-deductible glass replacement since windshields are considered a safety item...and they dont want you crashing due to a cracked/chipped windscreen.
if not, then check with a windshield repair company...they fill/sand/polish it like body work...the "dot" remains, but it is so much less distracting.
if you need running boards, buy them...save up, and get a set...or at least some mud flaps...also, you can buy invisible bra material...many Porsche owners used clear protectant tape to replace their ailing/fading rear fender flares as 'gravel protectors' in the 80's...you can do the same..
I am like you...in fact, many of us are...we see a car...it looks perfect to us...we are blinded by enthusiasm, and the car's finish looks flawless...on the lot.
after your first wash/detail, all kinds of blemishes appear. It's as if the dealer's prep/detailers use some magic time-release potion to hide the flaws...until it is sold.
find the positives in the car. why you bought it...why you like it...and what you can do to improve it.
I did. I didnt want "gray"...but I soon discovered, my car isnt gray...it is DSM(dark silver metallic), and it is all mine...it looks clean, all the time, the color will never go out of style, and it matches any graphics/two-tone color I wish to go with, should I decide to go that route.
so...remember what attracted you to it...and savor that...and in time, you'll find a way to get passed its flaws.