Treep

This chevy HHR i got from my friend's dad has been nothing but a problem for two years. 1st driving it home from getting it and the service light comes on....code p0301. It was 2 bent exhaust valves and a cracked exhaust manifold. Then the altanator, serpentine belt....etc. Well, last week the battery was to low to start and called AAA for a jump. No problem took it to autozone to check the charge. Fully charged. Next day same thing again. Autozone said it had a 60% charge. Had it charged and it took 100% charge. Two more times have to call triple AAA to jump me. Must need a new battery. Pay $150 for a new battery yesterday and great no issues until last night the battety light comes on. Check connections, fuses. Etc. Drive it straight home. Get up to take it to the dealership and start it to drive into the garare to unload surboards from the back so they can access the battery in the back and battery light and t/c light are on. Pull in to the garage unload and go to start it and absolutely nothing and the key won't remove from the ignition. Hate this car big time. Total problem car. Just over 100,000 miles and have not enjoyed this car at all.

RJ_RS_SS_350

Sounds like there is something wrong with the alternator, serpentine belt, etc.

Did your friend's dad put a new timing set in it? That's the only way valves bend is broken/loose timing chain.

If you got it for dirt cheap, than you didn't do too bad. If you paid more than a couple thousand... not so good, I would not be happy with the friend's dad...

Treep

Got a warranty with the alternator at Pep Boys so going to have them test it instead of paying a hundred and sixty to have Chevy do a diagnosis

RJ_RS_SS_350

Does the alternator turn freely? Is the belt still there?

Treep

I don't know but the belt is fine

RJ_RS_SS_350

Autozone telling you % of charge is only part of the story. They need to load test it. If they say it's fine, see if you can get a printout and post it up here. Many times the parts store has said a battery is fine, when it is not.

But since you continue to have problems, it is more likely the alternator, belt, tensioner, connections....

hurst2001

sleeper

Any reputable auto parts stores will test your entire electrical system for FREE.

Then you know if you have too much parasitic drain or whatever. Best to have it tested even before ya bought the new battery.

Oldblue

Could be dirty corrosion at the ground wires , could be loose connections at the underhood fuse block.
The car isn’t the disappointment, it’s the PO who didn’t look after it, many of these trucklets are still rolling at well over 250,000 miles, mine just turned 270,000 miles in Sunday.

Nowwise53

I feel your pain, really. I've got a garage Queen too. Oh yeah, that thing with the key. Proof the Marquis de Sade was on GM's HHR design team!