If I may make a suggestion... I keep the keyfob in my left pocket and the ignition key in my right pocket. I originally started doing that because my key ring was way too big when it contained the fob - so I put it in the other pocket. Told my wife and she now keeps her fob in the purse or pocket (and not with the key in the ignition). Hope this helps.

 

I just had my first experience with a dead battery in the HHR. I realized the battery was pretty dead last night. It was getting late and I was planning a trip to the auto parts store the next day. I figured I would lock up and take care of it in the morning.

I went out first thing the next morning and tried to unlock via the FOB. Granted, the battery was really low the night before, but the FOB would unlock the door, however this time no dice. I tried the key in the drivers door lock. Nothing. Yikes!

I began to wonder if the dealer did something to the key when we took the HHR in for the ignition recall. At this point I was stumped. Why won't the key work?

As I though about it, I made an assumption. I figured all I needed to do was get power to the jump start point in the engine bay then I could use the remote. Heck, the remote worked the night before.

After a little internet search I saw some folks talk about poking a rod through the grill and pop the hood. I found a long fiberglass rod and poked it through the grill. I had to sharpen the end a bit to make a point and was able to get the end into the lever portion of the latch. I fished it around a minute or so, then, pop! The hood opened!

I quickly got some cables attached to the jump points and applied some power. I hit the unlock button on the FOB. Bingo! The doors unlocked.

The lesson here is if you discover the battery is dead and the car is unlocked, if at all possible don't lock the door!

 

You still need to find out why the key didn't work in the door.

If the dealer gave you the wrong ignition cylinder you may have problems down the road because that key is registered to a different VIN. If you needed a new key made to your VIN (like you lost your keys) who knows whose car it would work in.

 

One would think that once the recall is done, that the Customer would check to make sure the key worked in the door as well as the ignition. Sure would alleviate a lot of problems down the road.

 

I did! The advisor looked at me funny.

 

Well, hindsight is 20/20. It just did not cross my mind that the key might not work. We hardly ever use the keys except in the ignition. I guess this means another trip back to the dealer. I like this little car, but man, getting it worked on has not been easy. This will be the second time I have taken back to have a service visit corrected.

I am really glad I caught this in my driveway and not somewhere along the road.

UPDATE:

My wife just returned from the grocery in the HHR. I tried the key in the drivers door and it worked just fine. This is weird. I know I tried a dozen times to unlock the door with the key this morning and the lock would not budge. The only think different now is there is a new battery in the back.

 

Dead battery triggers "security mode", maybe that's it? Just a guess.

 

I have discovered that if I lock the doors in my panel electronically the key will not unlock the door. If I lock them manually the key unlocks the door every time.

Also, both times when the keys got locked in my panel and we had no remote, using a wire will not pull up the lock knob up on the drivers side but will easily on the passenger side. Wife has orders to manually lock the doors and never use the remote or inside electronic lock button.

I haven't had this problem with my SS.

Boydie

 

If you keep the key and fob on the same ring and unlock/lock using only the fob, then, it would be almost impossible to lock your keys in the car.

Just saying.........

 

Two sets of keys but only one key fob.

Boydie