As an update, I called my dealer service department this morning (second call so far about the radio sound, which is no longer a "pop" - instead is now a loud "C R A C K"). They are in denial. He said that they have never had any reports of this with the HHR. I told him of the TSB and said I would mail him info, which he did not want, as until there is a fix, there is nothing that can be done. I described the crack as being up close to a rifle when discharged. (Last night's incident was the loudest yet and the TSB mentioned audio bleeding through the turn signals, which explains my wife's hearing of what she described as a "wooshing sound" before the crack).

If the dealers are in denial, and won't report the problem to GM, where can I write to GM with an accurate description of this? I don't want a phone number, as am tired of pushing buttons, making choices, pushing more buttons, etc. and then finally getting to a low-level employee who's function is to get me off the phone. I have found that the best way to get a problem solved is to type up a very-carefully worded letter that is polite in nature, with accurate information. Letters get results, as they are eventually passed on to the right person (who can seldom be reached by phone). For extra emphasis, a Certified Letter gets even better results.

For those of us who have had this problem, most are probably very unhappy with their HHR. For those of you who have not had this problem, you are very fortunate. Either way, the problem exists, is very annoying and could result in blown speakers and/or ear damage in extreme circumstances. The problem has existed now for some time, so it seems that GM needs some urging to take care of this. What I do not understand is that they have been building cars for many years and installing radios since as long as I can remember. Until now, I have never heard of anything like this in any car. This makes me wonder if we are "going backwards" with our technology?

Fritz45

 

Don't you have another Chevy dealer in your area you can go to? You don't have to take it back to the dealership you bought it off. Any Chevy dealer can perform warranty work. Maybe your luck will be better through a different dealership.

 

Thanks Captain! The dealer that we bought the car from is the best in the area (by far), so I assume that until they have a fix, there is nothing that can be done under warranty. I agree with this and am not faulting the dealer. This problem is quite unusual and doubt if any dealership would want to attempt to do anything until they know what to do. The TSB says, "Do not attempt a repair at this time" and "Advise customer that a fix is due out soon".

Since the dealers don't have info on how to fix it, I still feel that a letter to GM to alert them of the seriousness of the problem (from a customer) is appropriate at this time. Otherwise, will have to wait (possibly months) until many, many customers bring in their cars with the problem and for the dealers to then report it to GM. I don't feel that I want to schedule an appointment and take the car in when there is not a remote possibility that the dealer can take care of it as yet. I also doubt if the problem could be duplicated, so would get the dreaded "could not find the problem" comment on the service order. Note that the problem is with the US8 or US9 radio in the 2006 HHR, 2006 Pontiac Solstice and 2007 Saturn Sky, so is fairly common.

On my first call of two weeks ago, the service manager said that he had not heard of the problem, but if I bring in the car, they would call GM to see what to do. Since the TSB says not to attempt a repair at this time, why bring it in? He mentioned that they get very many TSB reports on their cars (they sell Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet), but not anything on this yet.

I have a good friend who owned a lock repair business in Chicago. On the back of his business card it said, "We'll either fix it, or we'll fix it so no one else can fix it". This is what I do not want to happen to my HHR, so I will wait it out. In the meantime, still feel that I want to write to GM with the details and exact description of what is happening.
Fritz45

 

I called my dealer and spoke to the service manager about this on 3/30. He claimed it was the first he heard of the problem. I asked if he was where he could look up a TSB. Gave him the TSB# and he found it. Told him he knows about it now!

He said to "stay in touch" re: a fix. I told him to read GM's instructions at the bottom regarding the dealer recording the customer info and that it was the dealer's responsibility to contact the customer when the fix comes out. We'll see!

 

JoeR - How loud and how frequent is your radio pop (crack)? Mine isn't all the time, but last night was sooooo loud. Your idea is a good one and I think I will drop off a copy of the TSB at my dealer this AM, along with a request that I be notified as soon as a fix is available. Thanks!

Fritz45

 

My "POP" is only occasional, but it does get your heart racing, looking around for some dude with a gun.

Best guess... about 1 / 10 - 20 starts here.

 

The "pop noise" softwear for the radio is now available on GM S.I. (Service Information) and your dealer can reflash it right now. We've done a couple that we couldn't get a pop out of.....one was my car. Everything seems fine...life is good.

 

Mine was flashed today. We will see..

 

Mine "popped" twice today (2 times out of 5 starts). I hope the flash works, as my ears are getting sore.

Fritz45

 

I talked to my dealer yesterday and they said the new software is available for immedite download to any dealer. I'm not having mine flashed yet since it only made a mild crackle once, and my shift light isn't programed and I don't want it to work. They're annoying. And I know flashing my computer will re-set the light.