hey guys i just bought a 2008 hhr and im having an issue with it not starting. When the key is on accessory all the lights are on but when i go to crank it there is no noise no nothing. The lights dim when turning the key to crank but nothing. The battery is as 12.46, I checked it with my multimeter. I also swapped the starter solenoid for a different one and still no luck. Any thoughts?

 

What does the voltmeter read WHILE attempting to crank?

 

Check the starter relay. If it's working, the problem will be from it to the starter.
Relay not working, you'll have to trace back towards the column.

Fwiw. I'll assume it's an auto trans. Have you tried to start it in neutral? Or even tried to hold the key in the start position and jiggling the shifter ?

 

And has it started since you first bought it, or did you buy it as a non-runner?

 

Welcome to the site!
Have the battery load tested at your local AZ store, check the ground terminals under the hood at the front of the transmission just down to the right of the oil filter housing and up above the headlight on the driver's side on the engine side of the rad cradle.
Sounds to me like dead cell in the battery.

 

Hood ajar switch?

 

From out in Left Field, Donbrew with a crazy suggestion.

In all seriousness, good suggestion.

Sounds like Starter, or Starter Relay.

 

i have not tried that yet but i will today, thank you

 

yea it was running flawlessly but then all of a sudden it wouldn't start

 

Somebody else had this very issue had it towed to dealer, turned out to be broken ground wire.