I just purchased a 2008 HHR SS.

When I tried the remote start the parking lights blinked but the car didn't start.

I went into the DIC Personalization and turned on remote start. When I tried it the parking lights blinked and a strange sound came from the area of the starter. Starting with the key has been fine.

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

1st thing. Check Engine Light (CEL) on ? Certain CEL codes will disable the remote start.

 

Are you pressing Lock first, and then Remote Start?

 

More importantly are you pressing lock button twice, then the remote start button ?

 

And are all doors & rear lid & even the hood closed tightly ?

 

CEL was on. Replace the O2 sensor and everything seems good now.

Thanks for all the help.

Craig

 

Dealer insisted that we press the lock button twice for RS. Have no idea why; once suffices on three HHR's with RS.

Something in the back of my mind says RS once quite working with a code or pending code but no CEL. Can't remember the details, but my takeaway was, any time when attempting RS, if the lights flash but the car doesn't try to start, check for codes.

 

My owners manual, states, press lock button twice then press the RS button, for both my 2007 and 2011. Check your owners manual, there’s a link in Donbrew’s signature.

 

Guess it just depends on the year model. Seems the instructions are a little different year to year ?
The 2010 Owners Manual doesn't say anything about pushing the lock button twice.
. "Press and release the transmitter's lock button, then immediately press and hold the remote vehicle start button for four seconds or until the vehicle's turn signal lamps flash."

 

Oldblue. So I read the 2007 and 2011 Owners Manuals. Didn't see anything about pushing the lock button twice. (or I missed it ) The 2007, 2011 RS instructions are the same as I posted above for the 2010. One push of the lock button.

Are we maybe giving out some incorrect info on this ? Since I don't have the RS feature on my 5 speed SS, I can't really say what the answer is.
Maybe we could clear this up for our members wanting to know.