Open Hatchback with dead battery?
Thread Starter
Joined: 12-27-2009
Posts: 2
From: Georgetown, Tx
Open Hatchback with dead battery?
Dead battery, locked hatchback, locked up or blew something that prevents jumper charge and no position to take in to a mechanic. Any other way to open the hatchback?
Senior Member
Joined: 07-13-2006
Posts: 1,567
From: Geneva, FL.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-15-2007
Posts: 199
From: Yukon
The Owners Manual explains how to open the hatch from the inside and how to properly charge and jump start the HHR.
Senior Member
Joined: 12-24-2008
Posts: 717
From: N/A
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-tutorial-library-21/how-liftgate-emergency-switch-22192/
Post 15 & 17 show you how to do it the easy way with another battery.
I got frustrated with the "Manual Latch" on the hatch back interior, as I would not be able to reach it most of the time. The Owners manual instructions are correct - it is just something that requires practice before you really need to get in - in a hurry.
Thread Starter
Joined: 12-27-2009
Posts: 2
From: Georgetown, Tx
Resolved - Manually open Hatchback & Charged Battery
Thank you for your responses. Opened hatchback, charged battery, replaced power steering fuse and all is well. My son ran battery down using heater with car not running. Battery did not have to be replaced. Thank you so much. Your answers were another way to have my prayers answered during the Holidays!
Senior Member
Joined: 07-13-2009
Posts: 414
From: NC
Be careful Miguel, with modern batteries, you can't "hurt" them like old batteries and then recharge them. At least that has been my experience. It is like they have a memory and remember, then get even with you. When that has happened to me and I jumped the battery, it left me sitting dead soon after. It may not happen to you, but just be ready just in case. God Bless, Marc
Senior Member
Joined: 01-15-2008
Posts: 265
From: michigan
If the battery is dead the second switch won't help. There was a post on here some time ago using a very small 12V battery and 2 jumper wires to the underhood fuse box to activate the rear liftgate switch so you can open it from the outside. (couldn't find it using the search but the post had pictures)
Pull relay #18 and connect the Positive jumper to terminal 87 and the negative jumper to the strut tower bolt and the switch will work.
If the vehicle battery still has power jump from the positive batter terminal next to the fuse box to terminal 87 and it does the same thing.
Pull relay #18 and connect the Positive jumper to terminal 87 and the negative jumper to the strut tower bolt and the switch will work.
If the vehicle battery still has power jump from the positive batter terminal next to the fuse box to terminal 87 and it does the same thing.
Senior Member
Joined: 12-24-2008
Posts: 717
From: N/A
If the battery is dead the second switch won't help. There was a post on here some time ago using a very small 12V battery and 2 jumper wires to the underhood fuse box to activate the rear liftgate switch so you can open it from the outside. (couldn't find it using the search but the post had pictures).