WillMarr13

I was recently gifted a 2009 HHR LT 2.4L. While on the way to work Friday, the car suddenly began to shutter then the DIC stated, "Reduced Engine Power", "Service ESC/Traction", "Service Airbag", "Service Power Steering", "Low Fuel", and "Engine Disabled". I was able to pull over. I immediately shut the car off and attempted to restart. No crank, no start. DIC displayed "service power steering", "service ESC/traction", "Service Airbag". Called the tow truck and got it sent home. Started researching and then bought a new battery. Still no start and no crank. I decided to check fuses. All were fine. I did notice that the Fuel Pump Relay fuse will rapidly click and will go away when unplugged. The BCM fuses appear fine as well. I plugged my reader and the only code that comes up is U0100. I am struggling on what to do or where to go. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Oldblue

Welcome to the site, the problem is explained,here

https://www.obd-codes.com/u0100

loose ground or connections, fuse box halves

donbrew

U0100 means that B+ is open. First thing is to check where the large red wire attaches to the underhood fuse box. Then check the ground point on the top of the trans near the oil filter and on the radiator support above the driver side headlight.

If you can find any past info it would be helpful.

WillMarr13

I will definitely try to check the grounds and the fuse box tomorrow. The box itself seems tight but I've had the same issue with my wife's 07 Outlook.

WillMarr13

So does that mean the issue could be that the ground wire has possibly shorted? I did check the rear red wire that connects to the fuse box and it's tight. I looked on the internet and this HHR has been through all the past recalls (0 open recalls). I just sucks that this happened within weeks of getting the car. Thanks for the lead!

donbrew

The rear red connector is the power steering, the LARGE red is the main battery connection. It sometimes corrodes or gets loose.

There might be a bad pin on the ECM connectors, sometimes one or more get pusshed out the back of the connector.

If you had the same issue in another car, what was the cause/fix? Did the same person work on both cars before it happened?

This youtube illustrates how to take the fuse apart and inspect the internal bits.

WillMarr13

That whole set of issues with my wife's Outlook was due to the previous owner stripping the screws on the fuse panel and Jerry rigging bolts backwards so that they could tighten it up.

donbrew

That is what the youtube is about.

WillMarr13

So I am looking at the car now and the under hood fuse panel is tight and the two battery cables that connect together are tight as well.

whopper

Looking at them will do no good - you have to take the fuse panel apart as noted already and reseat it as per the instructions. The battery cables should be disconnected and checked for corrosion and cleaned up.