New Key and Fobs
 

Hi all. I just bought my first HHR yesterday, a 2009 LT. The dealer only had a single key and no fob. I'm going to need to get an extra key for my wife, and 2 new fobs. We definitely want 2 fobs w/ remote start, and I've checked the glovebox sticker and AP3 was listed, and I've gone through the settings and made sure Remote Start is set to ON. I'm just a little confused by all the things I've read and want to get some clarification.

1) From what I've gathered, for a new key all I need to do is get a new key (was looking at this one: ), get it cut and then do the routine where I turn the ignition to ON w/ my current key, wait a couple seconds, turn it off, then immediately put in the new key and turn it to ON. At this point it should be linked to the car and good to go, correct?

2) For the fobs, I'm a bit more confused. I've seen people saying you can program them yourself, that you need to buy a tool to program them, and that only a dealer or locksmith can do it. Suffice to say, I'm not sure what to trust, what I need to buy, etc. I certainly don't want to take it to a dealer only to have them try and sneak a couple hundred bucks out of me if I can avoid it.

The key matching procedure is in your Owner Manual. Don't have one? Follow the link in my sig.

Fobs with a programming module can be found on ebay or any place that sell Dorman products. You can use the module to program additional fobs. We recommend you get Genuine GM fobs.

Or you can get fobs from any source you like and get a locksmith or a Gm dealer or a shop with suitable computer to program.

This link will take you to the thread documenting my experience with both Dorman and GM fobs. You've probably already looked through it. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...grammer-59484/

Thanks for the insight don and RJ. I got everything ordered and hopefully it all goes smoothly once it gets here. Plenty of other little things to fix as well, so I expect to be fairly active over the next few months.

Cheers!

BTW, when you get the fobs panic + lock = remote start, you don't need a special fob.

I read that somewhere and was intrigued by it, but I ended up getting the fobs with the remote start button anyway. There are definitely mornings that I wake up and can barely use a doorknob, much less remember which 2 buttons to hold to trick it into starting.

Just a heads up... You mentioned "other little things to fix". If any of those have a check engine light involved the remote start won't operate... Might save you from chasing your tail.

Nope, no check engine lights or codes being thrown. Just little things like speakers that need replaced, I have to repair the turn signal, and the cig lighter is loose and needs to be replaced I think.

Unless you have the "Smoker Package" option that is a 12V accessory outlet NOT a cig lighter. There is a difference, one melts the other doesn't; one has a hold down spring for hot the other doesn't.

Good info to know.

If I'm going to replace it, I might as well switch ou out for one with USB ports. Anyone have any recommendations?

My retainer ring is loose currently. Am I going to need to get a new one when I order that Blue, or does that work w/o it?

The stock ones need a special tool or exceedingly tiny fingers. The fact that its loose indicates somebody has forced it somehow sometime. To get any after market thing in there you need to rig something up.

Maybe it is loose because somebody removed the rubber cap.

The right side of the retainer is completely off, currently being held in place by the left side only. There is no cover on it, so who knows what someone did to it. The dealer I bought it from seemed to be pretty useless when it came to information about it, and was going to have his guys fix the power mirror switch while I filled out the paperwork b/c the mirrors would only go down when I tried to set them during the test drive. Guess what I had to replace myself yesterday...

Well then a custom install it shall be!

*lights up blowtorch*

I'm going to need this for that, right?

Extra key situation handled. Took the one that came w/ one of the fobs I ordered from Amazon to Walmart and the guy cut it for me, gave me the instructions to program it myself and didn't even charge me for the cut. Now to rig up the new USB power after it gets delivered today, and wait for the other fob and programmer coming tomorrow.

Slowly but surely...