headlight issue
 

having a problem with my right headlight bulb. Right headlight went out, I replaced it, I was in a hurry and didn't get it seated properly. So I just did it again, got it seated right and now it doesn't work....again. Took it to the dealer this morning, they just called and said it blew the bulb again that it was a bad socket, too much resistance in the socket and it keeps blowing the bulbs. Has anybody heard of anything like this happening, it sounds kinda fishy to me....
any input will help, the dealer wants $170 for an sockets replacement and bulb.

I replaced more then a few bulb sockets on GM's. Most were due to campaigns. But I can see it being the possible cause. I will say that you should be able to buy the socket for under $40 and it probably will even come with heat shrink butt connectors and you could easily do it your self. Well not easily in our cars but you could save that money. I am thinking the high cost is due to the time of removing the front bumper. You can do it without taking the bumper off but I would imagine that the book time includes removing the bumper.

I would only add to wipe the bulbs with even a rubbing alcohol, even touching the bulb by you, or the mfgr will shorten it's life.

what year is your HHR, this maybe covered under the bumper to bumper warrenty, if not then replace the socket and bulb

x2
and I want to add
Bulbs should be changed in pairs.
That is right headlight burned out - replacing the bulbs in the right and left headlights.
This is due to the fact that the new (fresh) bulb kills the old (weak) bulb, forcing it work to the limit forces. I'm no expert and I can not explain in terms of physics - but in our area we will replace the 2 bulbs.