Need help! 2009 HHR!
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 10-22-2013
Posts: 13
From: Texas
Need help! 2009 HHR!
I have a 2009 HHR I believe its the LS. I am having issues and I need some help figuring out what the problem is. I've been reading this forum for some possible answers but I figured I'd post and see if I could get some good ideas from you intelligent HHR owners :)
2 weeks ago while idoling the service ESC/service traction light comes and it starts to run really rough. I turn the car off and back on so it will go off. It always comes back on when I idol for a while. It also feels like it hesitates and then kicks into gear while I am accelerating, maybe second gear. A couple days later it comes on and my check engine light comes on too. So I take it down to autozone to pull the code and it saying misfire 3rd cylinder/misfire random cylinder. On my way home from autozone all my gages are zeroing out and it is like power is going off and on while I am driving down the road!! At this point my radio or blinkers no longer come on. The next day I take my car to a mechanic and his diagnostic machine tells him the same, misfire 3rd cylinder. So he replaces all 4 spark plugs, ignition coils, wires, and my air filter. I go the next day, car runs fine. 4 days later same thing happens. While idling the service ESC/traction light comes on, idols rough, check engine comes back on. I take it right over to the mechanic and the code is the same, 3rd cylinder misfire. He suggests that I try some Sea Foam injector cleaner thinking it may be a dirty injector. I put the injector cleaner in and it seems to help for about 3 days then back to the same ole thing. I tried to unhook the battery for 5 mins then reconnect, worked for a day then back to the same thing. Mechanic thinks its possible that the injector needs to be replaced but it seems to me that if it was a bad injector it would run rough all the time. Any ideas guys? From the research that I have done, it sounds like Throttle Position Sensor but I am not too sure.....
What do you think?
2 weeks ago while idoling the service ESC/service traction light comes and it starts to run really rough. I turn the car off and back on so it will go off. It always comes back on when I idol for a while. It also feels like it hesitates and then kicks into gear while I am accelerating, maybe second gear. A couple days later it comes on and my check engine light comes on too. So I take it down to autozone to pull the code and it saying misfire 3rd cylinder/misfire random cylinder. On my way home from autozone all my gages are zeroing out and it is like power is going off and on while I am driving down the road!! At this point my radio or blinkers no longer come on. The next day I take my car to a mechanic and his diagnostic machine tells him the same, misfire 3rd cylinder. So he replaces all 4 spark plugs, ignition coils, wires, and my air filter. I go the next day, car runs fine. 4 days later same thing happens. While idling the service ESC/traction light comes on, idols rough, check engine comes back on. I take it right over to the mechanic and the code is the same, 3rd cylinder misfire. He suggests that I try some Sea Foam injector cleaner thinking it may be a dirty injector. I put the injector cleaner in and it seems to help for about 3 days then back to the same ole thing. I tried to unhook the battery for 5 mins then reconnect, worked for a day then back to the same thing. Mechanic thinks its possible that the injector needs to be replaced but it seems to me that if it was a bad injector it would run rough all the time. Any ideas guys? From the research that I have done, it sounds like Throttle Position Sensor but I am not too sure.....
What do you think?
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
I moved your post to the proper section - "Problems/Service/Repairs" so more people would check it out.
You really need to post the error code rather than the mechanics verbal description, which can often be misleading. Anyways, I gather it is likely P0303?
Also what specific engine is it? 2.2 or 2.4L?
Here is a thread that is related (quickly found by the SEARCH tool at the top of the page while looking for P0303
) - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/3-misfire-compression-test-47388/
You can try swapping injectors to see if the problem moves between cylinders, and likely need to do a compression test to see if it is a valve/head related issue.
You really need to post the error code rather than the mechanics verbal description, which can often be misleading. Anyways, I gather it is likely P0303?
Also what specific engine is it? 2.2 or 2.4L?
Here is a thread that is related (quickly found by the SEARCH tool at the top of the page while looking for P0303
) - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/3-misfire-compression-test-47388/You can try swapping injectors to see if the problem moves between cylinders, and likely need to do a compression test to see if it is a valve/head related issue.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 10-22-2013
Posts: 13
From: Texas
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 10-22-2013
Posts: 13
From: Texas
I moved your post to the proper section - "Problems/Service/Repairs" so more people would check it out.
You really need to post the error code rather than the mechanics verbal description, which can often be misleading. Anyways, I gather it is likely P0303?
Also what specific engine is it? 2.2 or 2.4L?
Here is a thread that is related (quickly found by the SEARCH tool at the top of the page while looking for P0303 ) - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=47388
You can try swapping injectors to see if the problem moves between cylinders, and likely need to do a compression test to see if it is a valve/head related issue.
You really need to post the error code rather than the mechanics verbal description, which can often be misleading. Anyways, I gather it is likely P0303?
Also what specific engine is it? 2.2 or 2.4L?
Here is a thread that is related (quickly found by the SEARCH tool at the top of the page while looking for P0303
) - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=47388You can try swapping injectors to see if the problem moves between cylinders, and likely need to do a compression test to see if it is a valve/head related issue.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,719
From: Alabama
The codes retrieved were P0303 and P0300. I am not real sure which specific engine, I'd have to go look... Compression test is my next planned move, I'll swap injectors also to try that out. Thanks so much for your response! I paid $250 for my mechanic to change out plugs, wires, coils and air filter and the problem still lies, so I am really worried about dumping more money only to still have the issue... I very much appreciate your advice :)
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 10-22-2013
Posts: 13
From: Texas
What I am not understanding is what the ESC and traction control have to do with a misfire and why would all my power go off and on while I am driving (it only did that before the plug and stuff were changed). It seems it runs fine until I am idling for a few mins. then it starts running bad..
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,484
From: Fredericksburg,VA
Your mechanic saw you coming. Find a new one.
The ESC and traction lights come on whenever there is a "performance" code.
I am guessing that the engine is overheating, sounds kind of like the fan is not working either. Do you know how to open the hood? That's where the oil and coolant levels get checked, it's not magic and it is VERY important to do yourself.
Get a Owner Manual. Use the search tool near the top of this page, they are available in PDF format on this site. ("2009 hhr owner manual")
If you look at the rear of the car lower right side of the tail gate you should see a LS,LT or SS. That is the model of the car.
The ESC and traction lights come on whenever there is a "performance" code.
I am guessing that the engine is overheating, sounds kind of like the fan is not working either. Do you know how to open the hood? That's where the oil and coolant levels get checked, it's not magic and it is VERY important to do yourself.
Get a Owner Manual. Use the search tool near the top of this page, they are available in PDF format on this site. ("2009 hhr owner manual")
If you look at the rear of the car lower right side of the tail gate you should see a LS,LT or SS. That is the model of the car.
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,484
From: Fredericksburg,VA
I should add that overheating (240F) causes the engine to go into limp mode as a self preservation action. The cylinders will fire alternately causing the p030x codes, the lights will go off to get your attention, the gauges will flat line because they are out of range, The ESC and traction go off because you have absolutely no rationale to be driving the car at that point.
