seren89

OK I need some help. I am on limited funds and didn't want to run right to an expensive dealer if this is a quick fix.

OK I have a 2007 chevy hhr 2.2l with 134,346 miles on it. I had to replace the battery due to no start condition. Battery was over 4 years old. Had system checked at dealer and everything checked fine. Replaced battery and made sure connections were nice and tight. Vehicle started up just fine and ran great. Drove to a few different places turning car on and off several times with no issues. Now when i switched fem high beams to low beams all of a sudden the cruise quit, radio started flashing, when I went to turn corner blinker light lite up but made no noise, power steering quit, blow for heater quit working. About less then a mile from home everything started working again (not sure about cruise because I didn't try it) got home turned off car and it took a couple key cycles to get it start. Let car run for a few then turned it off and restarted fine. Repeated turning off car then it wouldn't start until after 3rd key turn. Symbol of car with lock came on then went off. When I did get vehicle to start it sounded like it was misfiring through the tailpipe. All lights and information Center work properly, heater works, radio works, door locks work. Anyone else experience this or have any suggestions on what to check?

843de

The battery may have been a symptom rather than the problem, a full test of the charging system is in order, along with checking the connections at the underhood fuse box.

It's commonly called the Darth Vader hood, because it sort of looks like his helmet if you squint.

Here's a "How To" thread on checking the underhood connections...

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...eck-522/page5/

Now, for safety's sake, before working around the fuse/junction box, disconnect the NEGATIVE battery cable first at the battery.

HHR's are extremely intolerant of voltage issues, they get really flakey.

whopper

Good advice above - also have the new battery checked, as they too can fail even though brand new.

If it was "jumped" when it had the no-start, it might have caused some problems if it was not jumped properly (although that typically blows the power steering fuse which sounds like it was ok).

Oldblue

And as an added attraction, check those ground wires!

seren89

Thanks for all the great advice. Did have all wiring checked today along with entire charging system. Silly me it ended up just being a bad alternator. Probably the original problem to begin with but the battery was due to be replaced anyways (well over 5 years old) signs didn't point to an alternator at first because there was no code or no battery light on. But all necessary parts replaced and vehicle is now running in tip top shape. Thanks everyone that replied

Oldblue

Awesome news!! As I always say!! Well read my signature!

843de

Spiffy! Glad to hear everything worked out OK.

whopper

Most of the time checking the alternator is an EASY job - measure the voltage without the engine running (ie: ~12.4 volts), then measure it with the engine running. It should show an increase - ie: should read 14+ volts when running well above idle. Not sure how the dealer missed that diagnosis.