Good morning,

I have a 2011 HHR Passenger with a no crank, no start issue. Based on the VIN, the ignition recall has been completed. (Random info: Radio works, AC controls work, cluster works, lock/unlock works.) I connect my scan tool and it looks like I'm not getting any communication from the ECM/TCM/EBCM. I've looked over the forums and checked a handful of things, they are as follows:

-Checked VCIM (No UE1 RPO code, so doesn't exist on my model.)
-Checked BCM (No issues found)
-Jumped TCM ground to strut tower, no fix.
-Checked all fuses, especially for ECM/TCM, all good.
-Checked fuse on battery, good.
-Checked voltage to studs on engine bay fuse box, good.
-Checked the ground from engine/trans to near driver side headlight, good.

There are a few modules that I can communicate with, and they have the following codes:
-Body Control Module:
B1325:03 - Device power 1 circuit low voltage
B1380:04 - Device ignition accessory circuit open
U2105:00 - Lost communications with ECM
-Instrument Panel Cluster
B1325:03 - Device power 1 circuit low voltage
-Power steering module
U2105:00 Lost Communications with ECM

I am stumped. Should I replace the ignition switch due to the B1380 code?

 

Crank those fuse box bolts tight!! And the battery cable under the red cap on the engine side of the fuse box towards the rad, there should be 2 cables there , check the starter and the alternator cable connection are clean and tight!


This red cap & These 4 bolts

 

The legend! I've been reading your no crank/start/comm. comments for the past 3 days. Along with a Mr. Don, of course.
I just removed the nut and sanded the connections for the two cables under the red tab, along with tightening the four 7mm bolts. I got about a half turn on each, it is very tight now. Still, no success. Any other ideas? I'm still considering buying a used steering column and take all of the ignition components to swap with mine...

 

Did this start "out of the blue" or did something happen?
If you have been reading my comments, why did you endanger your car with the TCM ground stupidity? Remove it before something worse happens.
B1325 leads to these modules:
BCM
IPC (instrument panel)
Radio
SDM (airbag brain)
I got no idea where "Power steering module" came from.
B1380 does not have a 04. Have you checked the ignition switch fuse? BCM #8 and #16. And the bolt between them
U2105 00 is lost comm with ECM.

 

A friend brought the car to me, it seemingly just...died. He did tell me that he swapped the ABS module and tried a used BCM but no luck.
I saw some YouTube videos before seeing your comment. I did the ground trick just to test and removed once I saw no benefit or success.
The Power Steering Module is just one of the modules with codes. I listed all modules that are able to communicate and are showing me any codes.
I also see online that the B1380 only has a :01 and :02 but for some reason my Autel is reading it as a B1380:04.
I have checked Fuse #43 (ECU) in the engine compartment and #25 in floor panel (ECU) and both are getting voltage (11.Xv)
BCM fuse #8 and 16 are both good, and receiving 11.Xv

 

Should be 12.5 volts static, double check the battery voltage anything less then 12.4 volts will cause issues.
check battery terminal clamps for cracks, they are know to split.

 

I'm getting a hot battery now. Will update.
Another really WEIRD thing that has happened twice now while trying to diagnose is that the car completely dies of power. The first time I thought it was a fluke and the power returned after a few seconds but this time while I was testing the BCM fuses from the passenger seat, I turned ignition on/off multiple times and went to jiggle all the battery wires, fusebox wires and no power at all until I opened the driver door. (Of course there's still no comm. with ECM/BCM/EBCM.)
Not sure if the driver door was the culprit or whatever but....really strange... I will have to pay more attention the next time if that repeats.
I also wanted to mention I have no codes on the theft module, and the padlock security light on the dash turns off within two seconds of ignition on. Since I haven't mentioned anything about theft yet.

 

The battery terminal clamps have been known to crack.

 

I think someone has played with the wiring. Or, those 4 bolts; loosen them then tighten them down like a gorilla, tight is not good enough, a little past afraid they will strip is,

 

I just removed the fusebox to inspect all the pins and to see if any connectors were burned up, everything was okay. I put it back and tightened the bolts until they squeaked.
I was wondering if I should provide power straight to the ecm to see if its even good but I'm not sure if that's the best idea. I really want to save the HHR it only has 60,000 miles.
Owner has given up on it, it's mine if I can fix it. Junkyard's if I can't.

I do keep thinking about the ignition switch but if its giving the signal to theft, bcm, srs, etc. then ecm/tcm/ebcm should be getting the signal too. If the key wasn't good then theft module would tell me.
As far as wiring I don't see any cuts, butt connectors, soldering, or new electrical tape. I may need to pull up a wiring diagram off AllData to see if I can trace wiring from the battery -> fusebox -> bcm -> ecm or however they are wired.
Any other ideas before I rip the interior out? If I do ever figure out the issue hopefully its good enough to be a sticky post if anyone else ever runs into this crazy ass issue lol