I'm in the final part of getting to tow my HHR behind my motorhome.

As part of that I need to disable the ignition & stop lights. Disabling the ignition "supposedly" keeps the battery from going dead while the key is in the ACC mode all day.

My braking system actually presses the brake pedal, and uses the motorhome wiring for brake lights & turn signals (via diodes)

On my saturn that I towed, I pulled a 30A fuse underneath the hood to do all of this.

In the GM manual it says pull fuse 8 - the ignition switch / pass key to disable the ignition - a 2A fuse.

The stoplights is fuse 9 - and is a 10A

So this morning - getting ready to wire in the switch - I pulled both - HOWEVER, everything still seems to work!!!??? The car will still start, and the brake lights come on when brake pedal is pushed.

WHAT is GOING ON???

TIA

>>>Rod<<<

 

When I pull fuse 8, or switch it off, since I wired a switch in for that, it disables virtually everything that would work with the ignition in the accessory position, which of course it must be to allow the steering to move. Fuse 8 disables the radio, SRS system, Odometer etc. Fuse 8 is in the fuse box inside the car, right side of the center console, kick panel door pops off for access. If you used the GM diode kit for wiring, fuse 8 is all you have to pull. It might still start, never tried it, but I use only a mechanical key when towing, no chip in it, so it can't start anyway. Since I have US Gear brakes installed, uses its own vaacum pump to use the HHR's own power brakeing system, I get a slight charge to the HHR's battery from the motorhome while underway. Have towed the HHR for days on end, never disconnecting from the motorhome, and have never had any battery problems.

 

Thanks for the info Laco. Got it completed, and everything works fine. I added 3 switches - one switches off the fuse 8, one switch fuse 9 off (brake lights) and the third switches on the ability to put 12v on brake monitor wire (going back to MH) and also applies power to the brake away system.

Still don't know why brake lights can come on with fuse 9 out.

But since everything seems to work properly, will not worry about it, and finish prep for vacation.
>>>Rod<<<

 

Glad you were able to get it all working. Have a great and safe vacation. The HHR is a great toad, we have been towing ours since it was new in 07, with no issues. Don't know what you are towing with, but we have a 40 foot pusher, which does not even notice the HHR.