I think others have had this problem but the way my car specifically is behaving, I thought I'd post my own thread.

A few weeks ago the power steering stopped working. I drove to a safe place to try to look under the hood, but when I restarted the car the power steering was working again. I drove it a few more days and it happened again - power steering stopped working, but shutting off and restarting the car restored it.

Then I had another problem where I stupidly let the battery die. I had some trouble jump starting it because I was confused about which bolt under the hood connected to the positive battery terminal. But I did figure it out and got the car started. Unfortunately, the power steering problem returned and I'm currently driving the car without power steering.

I applied for a grant to help with auto repair costs. Since I'm currently homeless and my partner is a veteran, we qualify for help with the repairs. I've got to get an estimate and submit it for approval before the car can be fixed. My usual mechanic can't get me in to do the estimate until August 31. He told me that I should try to put some fluid in the pump, or see if it needs fluid, since I have no choice but to keep driving the car.

I came here to see where the reservoir for my power steering pump is, and found out it doesn't have one! And I read that botching a jump start can blow the fuses connected to the power steering motor. I also read that in some HHR years the motor was recalled.

Can someone give me some assistance with finding which fuses I need to look at and potentially replace? I no longer have my owners manual and don't really know where to look for the information about fuses. How hard is it to replace blown fuses? If I can potentially fix my car without leaving it in a shop, I'd like to do that.

Is there anything else I need to consider? I'm not a mechanic but if I can avoid having to leave my car for a lengthy process in a shop, if rather repair it myself (if I can).

Thank you in advance!

Shadokat

 

Why didn't you go to a GM shop and get it repaired under the extended warranty or recall (depending on the year)? All years (2006-2010) are covered by one or the other. They usually have free coffee, too.
While you are there check to see if the ignition recall has been done. Check for Recalls
Get a FREE digital Owner Manual from the link in my sig. So you know how to jump start, if you don't have the huge label on the fuse box cover.

 

Here is the information about the extended warranty on the power steering. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/gm-r...tension-50057/

 

Thanks for your response! I didn't know there was a recall or extended warranty on the power steering. Now that I do, I'll call a dealer. I appreciate the information.

I know that the ignition switch has not been done because I bought the car new and I never got the repair done. I've gotten lots and lots of letters from chevy and never paid attention to any of them. Many, I didn't bother to open. Now I'm paying the price for that, I guess.

The recall letter you linked did seem to indicate that the only thing that would happen if the power steering motor went out was that it would return to manual steering mode. I was afraid that by continuing to drive it I would be breaking something else. It's hard to drive without the power steering but I'm managing. Hopefully the dealer will know what I'm talking about and fix it without any issues.

Even though it's a 2007 it's only got about 74,000 miles on it. Unfortunately there are a lot of scratches and dents too. My poor little car has seen some rough times even though I love it.

By the way, I do know how to jump start my car, or cars in general. That was my first time jumping MY car. I got confused because there are two bolts there next to the fuse panel. The front bolt is the correct one for jump starting, but the back one has a red wire attached to it. I first tried to use the one with the red wire before I looked for information about it.


I will call the local dealer and see what they have to say. Thanks again.

 

If the huge picture that was on the fuse box when it left the factory is missing the Owner Manual has instructions. Unless you think the black box under the hood is the battery.
If you want to continue in ignorant bliss no harm will be done to the car. However, you are very likely to do harm to someone else or their property. There is no excuse for not getting a FREE SAFETY recall done. I will bet that you have 3 pound of stuff on your key ring, That is what the ignition recall is about; cars were turning themselves off because the key switch is damaged.
Each of the recalls take about a half hour shop time.

Once again, FREE OWNER Manual from link in my signature in every one of my posts. If that is too much here it is: FREE Owner Manuals

 

I'm sorry if my words seem harsh or attacking anyone personally. They were not meant that way. I used words and phrases that when read by a boomer are just words that mean something. Millennials tend to read things as a personal insult. Nothing personal was meant.
Please download a free Owner Manual and read it. It explains how to re[place fuses, locations of fuses, how to jump start your car, how to care for your car etc.
Many of those ignored letters from GM were intended to tell you important stuff. I still get warranty info on a 2008 that I traded in 11 years ago. I also got a letter from them telling me how to receive my part of a class action settlement. Mail from a dealership is not the same as mail from GM.

Most people that have not read the Owner Manual think that any black box with 2 terminals on it under the hood is the battery. They don't even know there is a spare tire, much less where it is.
Many owners ignore notices from GM, thinking they are trying to sell something.
Many people are proud that they "only know how to put gas in the tank".
It is dangerous to drive a car that was designed for power steering without it. I have personal experience. Or there would not be a Safety Recall.
It is dangerous to have the motor suddenly stop while driving. Or there would not be a Safety Recall.

 

Donbrew,
It is not the teacher that has to be careful of their words.
It's the learner that has to do the learning.
i.e. If I'm called a dumbass for crossing the tracks in front of a train,
Do I get hurt for the name, or learn from the lesson.
My choice. Which one will help me to live longer.
My dad taught me that sometimes a 2X4 is required.

 

It’s a rule of Internet discourse. “Every comment shall be interpreted in the most negative way possible.”

 

"Can someone give me some assistance with finding which fuses I need to look at and potentially replace?"
Fuse number 1 in the fuse box under the hood, yellow.

But the problem is not the fuse, I'm pretty sure.
I don't know the reason, not an expert. But! .. the electric power steering behaves like this when its electric motor continues to work, and the wheels have already been turned to the extreme position and further rotation is not possible. Or if the electric power steering understands (or thinks) that the steering wheel is in an abnormal position. Stupidly disconnected - something like protection against breakage. I had exactly the same behavior on my Nissan when I tampered with the position sensor in the regulator.

By the way.. When you turn the steering wheel all the way, does your amplifier twitch? Not trying to get the steering wheel back? If this happens - a sure sign that the onboard brain is not correctly assessing the position of the steering wheel.

 

LOL

No offense was taken from any of your posts. Maybe the way I wrote, I sounded like an idiot. But, I do know that the fuse box under the hood is not the battery. I also know there are people out there who actually are that.. misinformed.. about all things car. The dealership must have removed the huge sticker you mentioned because I never saw it. I'm too old to be a millennial and to young to be a boomer, according to what I've read. I'm not one of those people looking to take offense at everything others say.

The recalls are important; I agree. I'll finally be getting the ignition switch done when I take it in for the power steering box. I asked about fuses before I knew there was an extended warranty placed on the power steering box and I was hoping to fix it as cheaply as possible. Oh, and there isn't three pounds of stuff on my keyring. Only the little black fob that came with the key. I keep other keys separate from the car key. Maybe that's why my ignition switch hasn't yet failed.

I am just lazy when it comes to getting anything done to the car. I don't have another vehicle to drive, nor do I have a network of people willing to give me rides when the car goes in the shop. So I hate taking it there for any reason. I either have to sit there for hours and wait, or have to take an uber home and another one back to pick it up. I don't have money for ubers. So I've avoided taking it in to a shop unless I absolutely had to. Like now. I absolutely have to fix the power steering. The next time I drive it will be to the dealership, unless an emergency happens and I have to drive elsewhere. As a person with very low income who has nobody but herself to rely on, I've had no choice but to continue to live my life, which involved for a week or so driving a broken car while I sought answers as to how to deal with the issues. You guys on this forum, sarcastic comments and all, have been a great help so much that I now know how to proceed. Thank you for that.

I've just found out about, applied for, and am apparently eligible for a grant to help me with auto repairs, so I'm going to take this opportunity to address some things (not covered by recalls or warranties) that have been wrong for years. Like why the remote start no longer works nor will the fob lock or unlock the door, even after putting a new battery in the fob. And why the cruise control doesn't work any more. Maybe even have them fix the sunroof, which will open but doesn't want to close with the motor. At least one of the stereo speakers is blown as well because the stereo, sounds like crap. I have the one with the 6-CD-changer. Potentially expensive and time consuming problems for which I have to get an estimate, get the estimate approved, and then go back to have the work done under the grant. (No, it's not one of those phone calls where they try to sell you a fake warranty. This is legit.)

I have an appointment at my local dealer this week. Thank you for all of your help with this.