There have been a number of code failures of the SDM for various reasons on Chevy not just HHR's. Although the SDM does not fail sometimes it will set a B1000 code in history. The dealer cannot reset the code and a new SDM at about $500 needs to be bought and the VIN has to be installed into the SDM by the dealer for $200 more. The air bags will still work according to Chevy but the airbag light on the dash turns on and stays on every time you start the vehicle.

After insuring I had no other problems (dielectric on all connectors) and dealer tried with the GM Tech II to clear it, I sent the SDM to a company in NC.

I figured the worst that could happen is I would be out the repair charge and I'd have to buy a new SDM. The charge was $40.00, I'd pay outgoing freight and company would pay return freight.

The company name is audiotronix14 on ebay. After a week I got the unit back, installed it without any error codes and no airbag light lit on the dash. Told the dealer, they said they would pass it on to any customer asking. I talked with the owner at audiotronix14 and he fixes the SDM by looking at the internal computer codes with a program he created and clears the erroneous code.

I highly recommend this route IF the code is caused by bad connections NOT by an accident. My cost went from $700 to $40 + $10 shipping.

 

There are a couple of companies on eBay that do that. They do it for accidents, too.

Mostly the GM technicians are stupid with the Tech2; one I had tore my car apart because he couldn't find the brand new SDM electronically. After 3-4 hours he called tech support and programmed it in 20 minutes.

I got my SDM for considerably less than $500 from an online GM store. They are listed at $330 today. I was doing my own work after an accidental side curtain deployment, insurance paid.

More important would be to explain the cause of your failure.

 

The price from Gm was $350 but with installation and coding it to the VIN of the car which is necessary and can only be done by GM the total was in the $500 range. I was not meaning to imply that audiotronix14 was only vendor to do this, only that my experience was positive. Cause of failure was random with no specific incident to cause it other than perhaps bad electrical connections solved by dielectric grease which fixed the active code but would not erase the history code.

 

I guess if they charged to do the 2 screws installation that isn't too bad. My Buick dealer charged $109 to do the computer thing (1 hour labor) that took the dummy 4 hours and he reinstalled the SDM because he couldn't find it with the Tech2. I think I paid around $209 for the SDM when I ordered the side curtain bags and seatbelts several years ago. Oddly, each of the components cost the same?

I considered sending it off, but insurance was paying for it. I could have made another $250 off the deal.

I was just adding info. I think he is the guy that sold me a pre programmed ECM that I was happy with.

The way the connectors are made it is difficult to figure how a short might occur randomly.

 

Hey, do you guys have contact information for this company audiotronix14 on ebay. I cannot locate them and have the exact same issue going on.

 

Found it, the ebay account is dead

Phone: (864) 804-0525
Location: 190A Alice St Spartanburg, SC 29303

the account was not Audiotronix14 its autotronix14

its also South Carolina not North Carolina

 

Different name. Different state. Sounds like you found a similar but different company.

FYI. The OP that started this thread gave out his info 3 years ago. Things may have changed.
Besides. He hasn't logged on here in 2 years.

 

I found 9 results on eBay with the search term "hhr sdm".