It is going to stay in open loop until the P0030 is fixed. That might be why the ESC message.
I have never heard of the combined "Power Steering ESC" message.

 

yup. That is the exact message.

 

You are not the OP, why are you responding?

EDIT: nevermind, I see you are the husband.

 

Apologies for not responding for so long. Work life gets in 5e way



So, I pulled out the steering assist motor, unplugged it from the steering computer, and put my multimeter on it. When I’d spin the motor part that’s goes into the steering column, I get readings, so it’s not the motor.



I put that back together as I couldn’t figure out how to remove the torque cable end that go into the steering column (a moon shape cover, with that torque cable plugged into that. It’s a rubber end and doesn’t look anything like the replacement motors cables (when I looked online).



After putting it back together, including the battery, I took it out for a spin. Same thing, steering is really heavy.



I got it home and plugged in the code scanner. Still code the same code P0030, O2 sensor.



I took screen grabs of the app, as well as the exact message on the dash’s lcd screen, One that I was able to put up a few live readings via that app:





[img]blob:https://www.chevyhhr.net/0f43d5b8-628c-4af8-85b1-cdd86cfc3a21[/img]

[img]blob:https://www.chevyhhr.net/87f7a727-ed42-4674-b404-d4286d6a10b6[/img]

[img]blob:https://www.chevyhhr.net/ca13eaba-720d-4ed6-b358-913c1a1191df[/img]

[img]blob:https://www.chevyhhr.net/ea7bd0cf-7038-495b-9915-b0fe8ccf54be[/img]





As you can see, lots of the voltage graphs are darn steady, with the only thing sticking out “Open Loop, Engine reports System Failure”



What on earth does that mean?



I next plan of attack is to see the f any of the million wires there under the dash look worn, compromised in any way. I’m just to 100% sure how to test each wire, hence doing a visual check. Of course where they go through the firewall and into the engine compartment is going to be bloody difficult, as they appear to be close to the bottom, and left of the last part of the steering column (engine side).



Any pointers on checking all those wires other than visual?



And what the heck the open loop message means? As that sounds like the end of the world?



If it does turn out to be the power steering computer, would a regular HHR replacement work? Or does it have to be an SS version?



Thanks much for all your help to this point, and further. Really don’t want to get rid of this lovely car.









PS I may have messed up putting the images on here. But I did upload them. I’ll check back, just in case I have to do them again

 

The readings MUST be dead steady in open loop. Open loop means the computer is using it's own numbers with no feedback from the sensors. If the O2 sensors are not working the computer goes open loop.
The P0030 causes the ESC message because if the engine is not running right you don't need ESC and to alert the unconscious driver that something is wrong.

I would be looking for a wire from the steering crossing with a wire from the O2 sensors, since the 2 are not related.

Where are you finding the code? The screenshots indicate it could not read them.

 

Hi,

thanks for your reply.

I was using the car code scanner, and that’s what gave me the P0030 code. I the. Select3d the “clear check engine light” and that’s when it came up (did another scan right after the clear) on the app. The next scan gave me the same P0030 code.

so, still thinking it’s a wire issue then? A wire or two who are somehow touching together and causing the error code, and stopping the power steering from working?

I did take the car for a test drive around the block, making sure to then do it in reverse, so that I’d be turning the steering wheel hard on right turns (90 degree turns) as well as hard lefts, and basically zero power steering.

weird it was working with all the same codes, and comes back from the garage not working at all.

anyone know of a way to test each wires, or is it a case of visually inspecting each and ever wire, and wires next to each other?

thanks again everyone for all your help so far, it’s been very helpful.

 

Could be 2 separate problems, fix the O2 sensor then see what happens. Again; it is the O2 sensor heater CIRCUIT.

 

Wow, Donbrew, thats a lot to digest, especially for me, someone who doesnt work on cars. But i do have the gist of it, and will certainly get that O2 sensor issue resolved and see what happens. This week at work is probably going to be insane, so i dont think ill be able to look into this during the week, plus i need to read your reply a few times, just to get my head around it properly.

One last question about your reply, when you say "Test Lamp", you are talking about a simple test lamp such as this: https://www.liveabout.com/test-circu...t-light-281976 right? ill have to buy one.

thanks againm

 

Is this correct:

"this is a 4-6 wire O2 sensor which means that its a heated sensor. Oxygen sensors are numbered by which bank of cylinders they serve. Bank 1 is the left or drivers side bank of cylinders on the 4.3L which has the odd numbered cylinders 1,3, and 5. Bank 2 is the right or passenger side bank of cylinders numbered 2, 4, and 6. The Bank 1 Sensor 1 would be the sensor for the left hand side of the engine AHEAD of the converter. Bank 1 Sensor 2 is the sensor for the left hand side bank of cylinders BEHIND the converter."

So i just locate the HO2S 1 sensor, disconnect the harness and follow your instructions, right?

Thanks for so much help with this, we both appreciate your time.

 

I understand wanting to fix your issue BUT when did HHR's get 4.3 V6's?