Hi!

I have a 2006 HHR LT with 130k miles.

Within the past two months, my car has had two instances where (*both times car was in idle with wife in car while I ran inside store for a minute*):

1) all the gauges start moving up and down very fast
2) the dash board lights start randomly blinking (check engine light, traction control, brake light, power steering light)
3) car starts to stutter/acts like it is dying/won't drive but a few MPH
4) the car seems to idle high and then low back and forth

The codes I pulled right after this happened were P2544 & U0073.

Has anyone ever had this happen? Any ideas where to start? I am very short on funds after just replacing my house A/C, so ANY input and advice is greatly appreciated.

 

are you sure about the p2533 code? there is no reference to it anywhere I can see.

My first thought with the blinking lights etc., is the battery - how old is the current battery?

 

Opps! It was p2544! Sorry about that.

The battery is new (less than 6 months).

After this "episode" happens and I restart the car, it seems normal again for a while.

 

Time to check the fuse box halves and ground wires are clean an tight.

 

U0073 Chevrolet Control Module Communication Bus OFF OBDII Engine Light Trouble Code | Engine-Codes.com