Hi, Kinda Miffed here & confusing), 2008 / LT..
Try to follow as this is a strange happening, Hope it's Happened to some others with a FIX! (NO REMOTE) ,
Part 1; when I lock the door from switch. , shut door . I cannot unlock with Key? If I'm inside and lock the door with switch, I cannot pull knob up to unlock.
Part 2; Sometimes IF I just walk away from HHR. it will auto lock / Horn Beep?? ( No Remote)
Part 3; When I use the switch and lock with door open, I reach over grab knob and unlock , if I can't pull up, I unlock (switch) and do over and over until I can manually unlock with knob -then manually lock - Key works.
So i have rigged a way to get in when I'm locked out, Through rear door ~ string to knob & pull up...... I then can only use the Pass. door switch to unlock...
PS, ( I have a Headache rack I cannot reach around on Driver side)
Any solution's? After market Pass. Door Key Cylinder? Confused Yet?
Thanks for Help , Before I start tearing apart and ordering parts!
I will in the Future get Remotes and Try, $$$ Chevy has to Program this Model....
Looked at All Fuses , Relays, BCM..... Someone posted schematics before that helped check everything (Mostly) I do have a Power Probe.....
Great Network! I usually Hover when I need too. ( Replacing Window Regulator ( Only the Slide Broke, Had to order assembly)

 

What year?
Self programmers with a fob are available from eBay, Amazon, your local auto parts store, for around $80
I suspect that a previous owner installed something.

 

Clean the door lock unlock button contacts or replace that switch in driver side door. Lubricate the door lock mechanisms in all doors

 

Had FOB's , They quit working, just got used to not using. May get new? So I can by a Programmer... May check into that. 2008 Fixed!(Edited) Thanks

 

I had an issue awhile back that doors would Unlock automatically... So I bought New switches, actuators - Locks, cleaned everything and lubricated Dry in Locks, inside door panel..( which I do pretty often..).. Just run out of ideas... Have you ever seen a Aftermarket door key for passenger side?
I have had battery Issues, Seems to be Fixed. Front Right Window Window Regulator - Actually only the slide -Plastic broke, Ordered complete assembly today... Just getting Old ... '08 / 140K , Only drive once a week now. I've rebuilt , Replaced a lot on it.... Been a Good Vehicle. Sure wish I could Rear Wheel Drive it! But No more Shop!
Thanks
Tug
PS, Maybe the switches or ? have gone bad, Again...
GM Parts.

 

The door locks are controlled by a non-serviceable relay on the BCM. Unlikely it is a switch problem.

 

Re: Part 1 This is obviously mechanical.

Re: Part 2. Push the lock button once initiates a delayed locking sequence, for your convenience and confusion. Pressing it twice is supposed to lock the locks immediately. What you described sounds normal for a single push

I don't clearly understand the rest of your issue, so I'll refrain from comment on the specifics and instead offer a few points that might be helpful.

Sounds like problems may have progressed so don't assume there's just one cause.

I've owned five HHR's and can say the switches are prone to failure, especially at the drivers door. They get the most use and are most likely to get wet.

2008 locks gave me trouble too, and switch replacement didn't work. It seemed to me that marginally adequate actuators were failing to budge aging corroded mechanisms. I blew fuses. Never really got to the bottom of it. Heardtell stories suggesting damage to too-thin wiring could be involved too. Later year actuators strike me as more assertive.

 

I have (had?) the same problem with my car as your point #1. Locking via the electronic locks seems to bind up the key lock and the manual rod lock. Have had to call a locksmith to get in (really wish the passenger door had a key hole too).

What I've done to get around it is, when I get out of the car, I lock the driver's side manually, then press the lock button once and close the door. The rest of the doors lock after 5 seconds, and since the manual lock rod is pushed down, the inside doesn't bind up so you can use the key to unlock it. Test this with the window down so you can reach in and hit the switch to unlock if it doesn't work.

 

I've replaced four window regulators. In every case it was that plastic piece that broke. In every case , I found that a complete assembly with motor didn't cost anymore then without a motor. One of the replacements was a piece of junk that broke quickly.

Reinstall the window very carefully so that it's properly centered and operates freely and smoothly. If you get it a little off, it'll work for a while but the extra drag is rough on the regulator, and may lead to early failure. Ask me how I know.