I have a 2008 HHR and since the start of the confinement mid-March, it was sitting unused. Since my battery was dead and overdue I changed it yesterday but since then my power steering is not responding properly and is really hard to turn. So I checked the fuses in both places and they are fine. I was told that I should let my car run for at least 30 min since I change the battery, which I am doing right now. My car was one of the recall ones some years ago about the power steering. So now I am wondering if it is the electric power steering that is the problem. What do you think?

and if it is, where can I buy a new one and is it easy to change it myself? I am not rich and I cannot afford to bring my car to the garage.

thank you

 

Go to a GM dealer and check wityh them it should be covered under extended warranty.

 

The battery was dead, did you attempt a jump start?

 

When I arrived in town mid-March and I noticed my window was stuck opened, I kept the battery power on so I could fix the window motor problem. My battery died so my father had to come to jump start it then. Since then I started my car a few times and it did. When I came to change the new battery, my key was stuck in the ignition and all the electrical system was down I couldn’t even open the hatch door to access my battery location so what I did is “jump start” the car with the new battery just to get the electrical going and be able to open the hatch door. So yes I did jump started it.

 

i would love to but I cannot turn the power steering properly to even get there.

 

Check the fuses , if you connected to the power steering terminal then the fuse might be blown.

 

Then call your local dealer on the phone and explain the issue.

FYI. Even if the power steering motor is not working, you can still drive the car. It will just be a lot harder to turn without the assist of the steering motor.

 

Got a telephone?
Did you check fuse #1 60 amp under hood fuse box? That is the one that blows from a incorrect jump start.