Two weeks ago the shifter broke and was stuck in neutral or drive and before that the key would not release. So I replaced to shift assembly and now the car wont start. It doesnt sound like its trying to turn over and also tried to jump start it and nothing. The check engine light is on but have noway to get the reading. Ive checked to fuse that generally blows if you dont jump it right and its oka.

 

Please explain what you mean when you say it "doesn't sound like it tries to turn over" - it either turns over or doesn't. Also explain what you mean about when jumping it - "nothing"?

The cel lights when the engine is running - are you saying that it was lit before you took things apart for the repair?

 

Thank you so much for trying to assest me whopper i ended up finding out the problem. The shift cable popped out of the shifter.wow do i feel dumb at that.im glad to find a forum for the hhr that has useful info.

 

There is a little pin that goes through the plastic shaft the shifter is attached to (auto) it has to be in the correct position to touch two limit switches when the shifter is in park. As I recall, one unlocks the steering column and one allows the key to return to the off position for removal. It's a bad design and the pin can fall out which causes the key's getting stuck in the ignition problem.
One may be tied to the brake pedal lock that requires you to depress it to shift out of park. I wish I would have taken pictures, I just built a new shaft out of Delron instead of the cheap plastic and rebuilt it myself. The hardest part is taking the console apart!!

Tim