This just started happening on my '08 HHR LS. Twice yesterday, I made short stops at a couple of stores. After shifting the transmission to park, I turned the key to the off position and removed it. All dash gauges zeroed, as normal, but the engine contined to run for several seconds before shutting down. I've had many vehicles that refused to start, but this is the first one that refused to shut down!

Any ideas?

 

That could be a bad rectifier in the alternator. Never had it happen on the HHR but the last vehicle I had that problem with; that's what it turned out to be.

 

Are you sure it's running as opposed to "dieseling"... How are your temps?

 

I was going to ask that....

 

Oh, I feel like a fool! The engine isn't running, it's the cooling fan which has thrown at least one blade and is out of balance. I noticed my temp was running high and did some investigative work. Guess I should have done that prior to posting.

 

Don't feel bad Rich, my theory is that everyone is allowed one "Homer" every 10 days, but I would change out that fan soon, the vibration from the missing blade will eventually kill the motor and leave you fan-less at the worst possible time....think 110 degrees and stuck in a traffic jam.

 

Note to self: An unbalanced cooling fan is louder than a 2.2L engine at idle!

 

"my theory is that everyone is allowed one "Homer" every 10 days"

Doh !!! That leaves me out..

seriously: Rich, be glad that you figured it out, without paying the dealer...