Folks, I have the battery out of my 2009 HHR SS automatic. Is there a way to free up the steering wheel, and shift lever? I'd also like to ask about how to override and open the rear hatch with no battery. All of these normally require battery voltage.

 

If you have the hood open, apply red power cable to the power lug under the red cover on the fuse box and the black negative cable to the strut tower.

put a folded towel or rag over the rear hatch closure.

 

That seems like a design flaw. What if I'm out in the middle of a field with no access to an electric power source? Is there no other way to mechanically override these functions?

 

A 9 volt battery memory saver will work, there is a mechanical latch in the rear hatch, procedure is in the owners manual, been discussed many times here

Plug in the 9 volt battery!

 

Well, you probably already know how to open the hatch with a screwdriver from the inside. For those who didn’t know, it’s explained in the manual.

 

Not a design flaw a anti vehicle theft thing.