Trying to help a family member with a 2011 HHR that the left rear turn signal quit flashing. Front signal flashes properly. Bulb is lit up in rear, but does not flash there. When brake is applied, no change. Turned on four ways, no change. When sitting inside and signal is on, the indicator flashes more quickly than normal.
Right signal works properly,both front and rear.
Any ideas on what to check?
Thanks

 

Try a new bulb 1st.

 

Inspect the socket for melted plastic.
Make sure the bulb is correct , 3057 LL and firmly in place.
try flipping the bulb, remove from socket and turn it over and reinstall.

 

Fast flash = blown builb.

 

Hi, folks. My 16-year-old HHR just blew out its first taillight bulb. My manual doesn’t go into detail about changing the bulb. I cut out a 6”-long piece of the 1.25”-thick foam rubber sound and thermal insulation, so now I can get my hands on the taillight socket. I’m assuming that the socket disassembles from the taillight housing before the bulb disassembles from the socket. If this is true, then how does the socket disassemble from the housing? Does it pull straight out without rotation? Do I need to rotate the socket?

 

Did you look on page 6-41 of the 2011 Owner Manual?
They don't come from the factory with that much insulation.

 

donbrew,
No, I didn't check the 2011 manual, but I did read the 2006 manual again. It's essentially as what you posted. I guess what threw me off was that it jumped into talking about the socket, but all I could see was the rubber insulation and the wiring harness. That's interesting that they didn't have that much insulation in 2011; the piece I cut out was 6"x2". I hadn't used this site since 2014! I'm glad to see that it's still around for these dinosaur vehicles, and that you responded so quickly. Thanks. Alvis

 

Somebody added rubber insulation. I think I recall a 1 inch bit of wool felt on my 2008.

 

Donbrew, I got it done, but what a pain in the butt! My dad would’ve been proud that I didn’t hire someone to change a light bulb. I’ve attached a pic showing the 3 pieces of 1.25”-thick foam-rubber insulation that I cut out to allow access to the socket. I used pliers on the socket to remove it and reinstall it because the space is so cramped that I couldn’t get a good grip on the socket. Reinstallation was challenging to align the tabs and slots; my socket has a yellow stick-on label on the outboard side of the socket, which will be good to know the next time I change the bulb.

Without flash

With flash

 

My 2011 doesn't have any foam like that. If there's a lot of it I bet it would make the car quieter.