2006 chevy hhr owner here @ 94k miles with regularly scheduled maintenance always done. at 88k I got my transmission fluid exchanged and noticed a slight clunking/louder front end when driving, went to the dealer and they confirmed nothing was wrong and this "happens sometimes" after a tranny fluid exchange.

Since it has become very noticeable when going into left turns under 40 mph. Just this week the check engine light has come on when going into left turns, (PO303). taking it into the dealership this week.

If anyone has any insight please let me know.

note I've also had the issue of the key getting stuck when putting the car in park, cost $400 to get new shifter at the dealership.

 

to the forum!

Well a P0303 code indicates a misfire condition has been detected on cylinder #3, this can be caused by a bad injector, failing coil, bad or worn sparkplug, a leaking head gasket, etc. It calls for some competent diagnostic work, especially when its occurence is connected to making a left turn. You could have a damaged wiring harness, or other issue.

The dealer's comments, would have me heading to another dealer A.S.A.P. The clunking can be any one of several suspension components that are worn, servicing the transmission will not cause suspension noises. So you should have the front end checked out.

 

Thanks for the insight. I'll keep all of this in mind when I'm talking to the mechanic this week.

 

Let us know how you make out, your experience will add to the forum's knowledge base.

 

A "clicking" sound upon turning usually means CV. A "Clunk" could be wheel hub or Lower control Arm bushing or Sway Bar links or bushings.

The P0303 upon turning seems to ring a bell something about junk in the fuel rail, I think.

 

Ahhhh I seem to vaguely remember that - checking the SEARCH engine for [fuel rail]

- maybe check this thread and TSB reference from Mr Awesome (chevyMgr)- https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/p0304-code-witts-end-21238/

 

just got back from the mechanic. they said they are going to replace the spark plugs and iginition coil, parts + labor=$300 and this will more then likely take care of it the cylinder 3 missfire (Po303). They also mentioned there is a small chance it could be fuel injector.(about 10%) for the loud knocking sound they said it was the stabilizer bushings on the front suspension, soft/sport ride suspension, front suspension, stabilizer links=$300, they said the front knocking sound, though annoying is not harming the car in anyway. please let me know what you guys think about this.

 

Stabilizer links on the end of the sway bar are known to go frim time to time. Cost = ~ $40-50 for the pair. Bushings in the middle of the sway bar are a common item needing replacement - $25 for the pair. $300 seems a mite pricey for parts and labour.

The sway bar bushings can be considered an annoyance till fixed, but the links can come apart and cause problems with the brake lines, so they should be a priority. They aren't that hard to replace if you have tools and are covered in a few postings here.

rather than replace the coil, swap between cylinders to see if the problem moves (not feasible for 2.2l motor I don't think). I don't have great faith in the plugs and coil resolving the problem.

 

Until you can get some better information from your "shop", I woul not do anything for those prices. It sounds like either they are dumbing down too much or you are not receiving everything they are saying, it happens usually the shop's fault. What you have relayed here really doesn't make a lot of sense.

GET IT IN WRITING!