It's a 2009 HHR 2.2 L4 DOHC 16V LS
The steering has become stiff at certain times when driving. I have read that that could be because the ground connection on the rear left side at the top of the fuse box may be bad. I have attached a picture. I'm sure it is, as I can see the rust and green corrosion around the terminal and Torx screw.

I tried to loosen the screw, but it won't budge. I tried heating a piece of 3/8 round stock to cherry red and held it on the screw for 3 minutes, but that did not help. I squirted it with some WD40 and let it soak for a week and that didn't help. I have used a center punch to coax screws like this in the past, but I'm not sure what is under that boss that sticks out.

Does anyone know just how solid that block is? Can I bang on it gently? Any more ideas? Thanks for your help......Eddie

Here is the problem screw.

 

That is the positive wire to power the electric power steering. Check the fuse That’s the yellow fuse top left.push it in firmly

tighten all 4 , 7 mm bolts real tight, push all the fuses in firmly

 

There is no ground on the fuse box!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wherever you read that is trying to burn your car down.
More likely you are experiencing a power steering motor over heat. Which might be covered by an extended warranty.

 

Wd40 is not a penetrant. Some of the best is Kroil and PBlaster.

 

OK thanks for correcting me on the ground / power issue. I did remove the fuse and it is fine with no corrosion. The steering motor was replaced under the recall back in 2014. Today I will use some Kroils oil as mentioned, and tighten all the capscrews that hold the fuse block in place. Thanks for the help to all.

 

Could be the ps motor again. The fact that the recall was already done doesn't necessarily mean GM won't do it again. Worth a try. Any GM dealer can do it.

 

Worth a trip to the GM dealership, but you should have seen a warning in the the DIC.

 

OK I did make an appointment with the dealer as suggested, but it is a month in advance!
I am located near Buffalo, NY and when this started it was winter. As summer approached I noticed it seemed to get better. Now that summer is here and temps in the 70's the problem has completely gone away. I thought it was the steering motor, but that is inside the cab which is heated so that would not have been the problem. Anyone have an idea of something outside of the car that caused this?

I still have not been able to get that torx screw loosened for the 5 volt supply wire to the fuse box even with Kroils oil soaking, and heating. Can I remove the 4 shinny screws on the top down where the fuse are located to see how strong that boss is? Could it take some tapping with a chisel or center punch to get that torx screw out?

There is no warning in the DIC at all. Only one I have is for the tire pressures.

 

That is NOT 5 volt supply. It is 12 volts to power steering motor.
If the power steering sometimes goes out the problem is in the motor, it has a thermal fuse in it. That MIGHT still be covered by the GM extended warranty/recall on the motor. Have you checked on recalls for your car (link to do that in my sig). If it is not covered the motor can be found for around $100 installation requires knowing how to use a screwdriver.