We have the same problem with our 2006 HHR. Would like to know what the cure is. Please and Thank you.

 

I had taken my HHR to the dealer w/ CEL, after checking the code and making the necessary repairs the tech started her up only to feel like he had won the jackpot. More codes were thrown than he could count.

Turns out that the body shop that repaired the HHR really screwed up the fuse box and had jury rigged a connection. Since the body shop had taken my HHR to the dealer to get the electrical problem fixed and the dealer missed the jury rig, they went ahead and replaced the fuse box at no charge to me.

 

Alan ... I've posted the following on a seperate thread; but, here it is again. To date, I have no resolution; but, I plan to disassembly the electrical center and inspect all harnesses as well as I can. Please let us know if you get resolution and how.

I now have over 164,000 mi and the issue is now occuring almost daily; I simply shutdown, wait about a minute, and restart. Sometimes the hard shifting takes multiple shutdowns / restarts to clear. Disconnecting the electronics from the harnesses always seems to clear everything though. Very frustrating.


Original Post by gulfcoastal on this issue:
2006 HHR LT; 2.4L; automatic; 158,000 mi

Erratic Gauge and Warning Light Readings

Problem Description: Vehicle intermittently displays erratic gauge readings, warning lights, and DIC messages. When this condition is occurring the power steering may fail and transmission will shift erratically (hard shifts and gear skips). The condition occurs for several minutes then usually goes away by itself leaving the security and traction control warning lights illuminated until multiple cycles of the ignition switch have been performed to clear the warning lights. During some instances of this problem, the problem occurred while driving and did not cease until the vehicle was stopped and the ECU was disconnected and reconnected. The vehicle can go for days, weeks, or months without recurrence. Visits to two different dealerships have resulted in recording and clearing the DTCS codes with both dealerships unable to replicate / troubleshoot the problem.

DTCS Codes Found and Cleared
P0300 Engine Misfire Detected
P0575 Cruise Control Switch Signal Circuit
U0073 Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus Communication
B3935 Transponder Authentication Error
U2100 CAN-BUS Communication Malfunction
U2103 Fewer Controllers On Bus Than Programmed
U2107 Lost Communications with Body Control System
C0561 System Disabled Information Stored
C0550 Electronic Control Unit (ECU) Performance

My belief is that there is an intermittent CAN failure (U codes) with either a software anomaly, poor or interrupted communication signals, or an individual component failure. I believe the other codes are either symptoms of the CAN bus failure or unrelated. I have researched multiples forums and I do see what I believe to be other incidents of this problem.

 

I just took my HHR in for the same problem today. Fortunately for me, it happened right before I took delivery of the car. We reset it and it seemed to work fine, so I drove off happily enough. A month or so later, on my way into town this morning, it did it again.
The tech tells me it's probably a signal problem, can even be a loose connector somewhere. They'll let me know when they figure it out. In the meantime they provided me with a rental Hyundai (yes.. Hyundai).
I managed to catch a video clip of the instrument panel after it started...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5xqH...ature=youtu.be

The tech also mentioned that it could be the ignition key cylinder itself. If it gets slightly out of position, evidently it sends weird signals to the rest of the car.

 

spacer,

Keep us updated on your vehicle and what the mechanic says was the fix. I'm sorry you have had this problem. I hope it is a quick fix!

Sincerely,
Evan, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

I just had the power steering loss last night when I went out for my lunch break at work. I started the car drove to the end of the parking lot, then made a right and DING DING DING "power steering" in the DIC and complete loss of power steering. It rest just fine and did not happen again in the 11 miles I have put on it so far to get home. I have to say that by reading thru all the complaints of this issue I am a little scared right now to drive my car. If this were to go out while making a turn it could spell disaster.

With all the complaints and the serious saftey ISSUE/CONCERN with this problem, EVAN, don't you think this would be where your JOB/POSITION in GM will serve US the CONSUMER the BEST by pleading to get our cars recalled like the Canadian HHR's and Cobalts and G5's and Malibu's all have been. PLease EVAN this is where you prove you are here to help us.

 

I just talked to the service guy, and since the problem cleared up while it was in the bay, they're having to go in and manually check all the connections and modules.
I kinda want my car back... someone smoked in the rental and it's giving me a headache.

 

Talked to the service guy this evening. They're replacing a computer, having found a problem with a circuit board. They'd have finished it today, but he said they'd need to get connected with GM to get the new unit flashed for my car.
So, Herman's sitting in a cold shop over the weekend, brain removed. Zombie Herman.
*sigh* ...and I'm still in the Hyundai.

 

Just brought Herman home a few minutes ago. Fortunately, they replaced the module at no charge, and included the rental as well. That, to me, says a LOT for a dealership, especially since the car was technically outside of the short warranty they apply to their used cars. Many dealers would sell the lemon only to squeeze it later on repairs.

One odd thing, though. While I understand why the clock is off and my tripmeter reading's been reset, for some reason, my 71% oil life reading has dropped to 0%. I've put on a thousand or so miles since I bought it, and they did an extensive service right before that. Does this thing sense the condition of the oil itself? Or is it computed based on mileage and driver inputs?

 

Since they replaced the computer, I'd imagine that is why your OLM is now reading "0".