Going to work this morning and my 2010 died while driving. Engine quit but still had power steering and all electric. Wouldn't restart. Has a loud click like low battery. All electric works fine in car. Tried the high power jump box we use on trucks just to see if it was a power problem. No difference. Plugged the scanner in with power on and the only two that came up were P0011 and P0014. If it was the VVTs, would that prevent it from even trying to start or would it still turn over. Or is this more like a problem with the under hood fuse box?

 

Your timing chain broke.

 

That was my first guess - broken chain or jumped time. Valve interference would prevent cranking the engine even with a perfectly good battery and starter. But why wouldn't that produce P0016/17? Maybe because it all happened too fast to graduate from the P0011/14?

In any event, stop trying to start it, and not let a mechanic try to do so until the cams are proved to be correctly timed. Successfully cranking could could just make the damage worse. Might already have fatal carnage inside the engine. First step might be to remove the valve cover iand get a partial look at the chain.

 

The codes are P0011 and P0014,
So the intake VVT solenoid has a problem, dirt inside on the screen or rodent chewed wires, dirty oil

And the exhaust VVT solenoid has a problem too same issues.
it could be a streched timing chain, possibly a broken front guide?
I agree to pull the valve cover and inspect that chain

This stretched chain gave me a P0014

 

Thanks guys. At 213,000+, with a broken timing chain and paint bubbling on rear fender wells, it will be going to scrap yard. The cost to repair is almost the value of the car at those miles and condition. It was a great ride. Found another one nearby with 50,000 on it.

 

Save the old one for parts! Changing the timing chain isn’t that hard, takes me about 4 hours with hand tools.

 

Math might tell a different story. Even if the cost of repair is as much as the value, is as much as a new car?
I once had a truck totaled 2 months after it was paid off, insurance gave me the value of the truck, but a new monthly payment. A big negative.

 

Another HHR with only 50,000 miles, nice find!
I take it you’re not a wrenching kind of person.
a good chain kit isn’t that expensive, but if the valves are bent or worse, there’s damage to a piston or a rod, then yes a minimum 15 year old HHR will be to expensive to find a good used engine for a swap out!

 

Should at least pull the valve cover before making a final decision.

 

Funny how everyone thinks they know what I should do in my situation. And I would bet that those of you don't like to be told what they should do. This is the best thing for me to do in my life situation, which none of you have no idea about. Enjoy your lives telling others what they should do.