Not sure if this is place to post this but..... First time post on this forum. Wanted to say hello and I need some help. I have a 2007 hhr lt with 98000 miles. My problem is with the running lights. Here is the problem. I have no running lights, no map light and lights on the radio buttons and heater lights. When I turn on key they will work, but after a few seconds they go off. Everything else works with no problems head lights (auto and on), interior lights, turn signals, flashers. I have checked all fuses and relays they are good. Have checked all bulbs and they are good. I have search and have seen other people asking the same question with same problems but cant find out what they did to fix the problem. Can somebody help please not sure what to do. Thanks in advance

 

have you checked the dimmer switch? just above the radio next to the center vents

 

Yes dimmer switch has no effect on the problem. but it does work.

 

I'm confused. You say the dash light dimmer works? How do you know this if your dash lights and all aren't working?
Maybe your'e confusing the dash dimmer with the headlight dimmer?
The dash dimmer is the little "wheel" on the center dash.

I'm with skyline26 on this. Sounds like a bad dimmer or connection to it.

 

Is this a new problem? Is the car new to you? Do you understand the auto light operation? What are you meaning by "running lights", I think of running lights as the corner markers on the bumpers?

The dashboard lights are supposed to have like 3 different modes, depending on the ambient light.

 

Welcome to the forum dazeoff21,

We hope that you're able to find a solution to your concerns. If you decide to take your HHR to the dealership at a later date, please let us know, as we'd like to help in any way that we can.

Amber N. (assisting Jessica)
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

to the forum!

Color me confused, to echo Don, running lights normally refers to the corner markers and parking lamps.

Is there something possibly obstructing the light sensor on you dash(the little dome next to the windshield), that can cause your auto lights to always be "On". And in daylight, your instrument lights would be constantly dimmed because your HHR thinks it's nighttime.

Failing that scenario, I would echo others here in suspecting dimmer switch failure.

 

when I bought my 2007 HHR 4 years ago, I had the same issue, I cleaned the sensor dome in the middle of the dash and it cured the issues, apparently the previous owner smoked a lot and never cleaned the dash!
I remember someone else having this similer issue and it was a defective 4 way flasher switch, something else to check

 

Ok let me try to explain this. When it is night with the lights in auto mode everything works except tail lights and the lights on the dash under the radio on the heater and the little light above the rear view mirror on the headliner. If I turn on the lights it does the same thing as I have described.

 

If you have a test light I would check the fuse for the park lamps for power in the under hood fuse box (PDC) I think it is fuse #69. There may be a connection problem in or around the PDC.