Power Steering cutting out but fuses OK - still the motor?
Senior Member
Joined: 11-05-2010
Posts: 1,492
From: Detroit, Michigan USA
@wwmmss777, the first step in any of our processes is to have the vehicle into a General Motors dealership for diagnosis. Once diagnosed things such as cost assistance can be talked about, but the service manager usually needs to be involved with that decision.
From the information I have available to me, the steering components are not covered under the Powertrain limited warranty. Here is what should be covered under the Powertrain limited warranty:
-Gasoline engines - the cylinder block and heads, and all internal parts, intake manifold, timing gears, timing gear chain or belt and cover, flywheel, harmonic balancer, valve covers, oil pan, oil pump, engine mounts, seals, and gaskets, water pump; also turbocharger and supercharger housings and internal parts, valves, seats, and gaskets.
-Transmission - the case and all internal parts, torque converter, vacuum modulator, seals and gaskets and transmission mounts, also transfer case and all internal parts, seals and gaskets.
-Front Wheel Drive - the final drive housing and all internal parts, axle shafts, constant velocity joints, front hub bearings, seals and gaskets.
-Rear Wheel Drive - the axle housing and all internal parts, axle shafts, bearings, supports, seals and gaskets propeller shafts and u-joints.
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
From the information I have available to me, the steering components are not covered under the Powertrain limited warranty. Here is what should be covered under the Powertrain limited warranty:
-Gasoline engines - the cylinder block and heads, and all internal parts, intake manifold, timing gears, timing gear chain or belt and cover, flywheel, harmonic balancer, valve covers, oil pan, oil pump, engine mounts, seals, and gaskets, water pump; also turbocharger and supercharger housings and internal parts, valves, seats, and gaskets.
-Transmission - the case and all internal parts, torque converter, vacuum modulator, seals and gaskets and transmission mounts, also transfer case and all internal parts, seals and gaskets.
-Front Wheel Drive - the final drive housing and all internal parts, axle shafts, constant velocity joints, front hub bearings, seals and gaskets.
-Rear Wheel Drive - the axle housing and all internal parts, axle shafts, bearings, supports, seals and gaskets propeller shafts and u-joints.
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
New Member
Joined: 09-16-2012
Posts: 25
From: Cloquet MN
Well as of Dec 2011 they arent lol. i was rather pissed we had owned the car for less than a month. (used and out of bumper to bumper.)
Joined: 04-10-2013
Posts: 1
From: Alsip
power steering problem
Can someone please tell me if, after they replaced the power steering motor, if they no longer had any problems with the power steering after that? I want to know if that will fix it, or if it acts up again after that.
I found out that you can get the power steering motor from a car dealership on the north side of Chicago, called "Mike Anderson" (don't know address or phone #). They said it would cost about $101.00.
I found out that you can get the power steering motor from a car dealership on the north side of Chicago, called "Mike Anderson" (don't know address or phone #). They said it would cost about $101.00.
Joined: 07-08-2011
Posts: 1
From: MA
Same problem and more ! I turned my HHR (2006) over to my grandson and he recently had the power steering motor light come on just as the steering cut out . After restarting the car it was fine for about two minutes and then it went out again . We had it towed to a Chevrolet dealer and they informed me that the main computer was shot . After replacing that they still had to replace the Power Steering Motor , this cost me just shy of a thousand dollars ! They also told me that we should keep an eye out for problems with the steering post assembly as that was a possible issue , not now but down the road (and another 900.00) ! Now I can't help but think there is a connection between the Motor and the Computer both failing at the same time . I have complained to Chevrolet about this and asked why no recall here in the USA . A quick look on the internet showed me that there are a lot of HHR owners with the same problem and many of them are also waiting for answers as to what is going to be done about it .
Senior Member
Joined: 10-06-2011
Posts: 1,150
From: Mesa, AZ
Same problem and more ! I turned my HHR (2006) over to my grandson and he recently had the power steering motor light come on just as the steering cut out . After restarting the car it was fine for about two minutes and then it went out again . We had it towed to a Chevrolet dealer and they informed me that the main computer was shot . After replacing that they still had to replace the Power Steering Motor , this cost me just shy of a thousand dollars ! They also told me that we should keep an eye out for problems with the steering post assembly as that was a possible issue , not now but down the road (and another 900.00) ! Now I can't help but think there is a connection between the Motor and the Computer both failing at the same time . I have complained to Chevrolet about this and asked why no recall here in the USA . A quick look on the internet showed me that there are a lot of HHR owners with the same problem and many of them are also waiting for answers as to what is going to be done about it .
Senior Member
Joined: 11-05-2010
Posts: 1,492
From: Detroit, Michigan USA
Hello efh,
I apologize that you have recently experienced these concerns with your HHR. I noticed you mentioned you spoke to Chevrolet regarding this concern. Were you provided with a case number? I would be happy to properly document your concerns within our system. I can be reached via PM.
Sincerely,
Jonathan A.
Chevrolet Customer Care
I apologize that you have recently experienced these concerns with your HHR. I noticed you mentioned you spoke to Chevrolet regarding this concern. Were you provided with a case number? I would be happy to properly document your concerns within our system. I can be reached via PM.
Sincerely,
Jonathan A.
Chevrolet Customer Care
Joined: 07-08-2014
Posts: 1
From: Southbridge, MA.
Hi folks
So, the latest problem with the wife's HHR is the power steering. I've read up on the known issues on here, checked the fuses and asked her (more like interrogated her
) to describe events in detail.
Here's what I know:
1 - Both of the power steering fuses are fine (and we've never jump started the car).
2 - When she starts the car, the power steering always works - every time.
3 - After between 30 seconds and 5 minutes of driving, the power steering cuts out and "Power Steering" shows in the DIC.
4 - If she stops the car, turns the engine off and back on again, the power steering starts working again. Every time. Then back to #3.
Here's what I think:
A - Clearly, whatever is wrong, the motor is not drawing sufficient overcurrent to blow the fuses.
B - I've read that the standard problem may be associated with the electric motor overheating. But I've confirmed with the wife that she has had extended periods of power steering after a failure and engine restart - which doesn't necessarily seem consistent with a heat issue to me.
Which brings me to my question: Does this sound like the standard electric motor failure to you folks, or does it sound more like a logic issue? I hate to think what the cost of replacing the computer might be, so I'm kind of hoping for it to be the motor.
OTOH, we do have one of those Progressive Snapshot devices installed, so I've asked her to remove that, the next time it occurs and to drive without it for either a couple of hours or until another failure occurs - whichever is first.
I'll report back on that last point when I have something to tell you, but in the meanwhile, I'd be grateful for any thoughts.
So, the latest problem with the wife's HHR is the power steering. I've read up on the known issues on here, checked the fuses and asked her (more like interrogated her
) to describe events in detail. Here's what I know:
1 - Both of the power steering fuses are fine (and we've never jump started the car).
2 - When she starts the car, the power steering always works - every time.
3 - After between 30 seconds and 5 minutes of driving, the power steering cuts out and "Power Steering" shows in the DIC.
4 - If she stops the car, turns the engine off and back on again, the power steering starts working again. Every time. Then back to #3.
Here's what I think:
A - Clearly, whatever is wrong, the motor is not drawing sufficient overcurrent to blow the fuses.
B - I've read that the standard problem may be associated with the electric motor overheating. But I've confirmed with the wife that she has had extended periods of power steering after a failure and engine restart - which doesn't necessarily seem consistent with a heat issue to me.
Which brings me to my question: Does this sound like the standard electric motor failure to you folks, or does it sound more like a logic issue? I hate to think what the cost of replacing the computer might be, so I'm kind of hoping for it to be the motor.
OTOH, we do have one of those Progressive Snapshot devices installed, so I've asked her to remove that, the next time it occurs and to drive without it for either a couple of hours or until another failure occurs - whichever is first.
I'll report back on that last point when I have something to tell you, but in the meanwhile, I'd be grateful for any thoughts.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama