Hello,
A strange thing happened this morning. I went to go start my 2009 Chevy HHR with 68,000 miles and Car started normally soon as I applied to break and shifted into reverse all power was lost.
I proceeded to turn the car off but would not turn further back than accessory position on the ignition.
Disconnected the negative battery terminal to the ground of the car in the spare tire area. Waited about three minutes reconnected and tried to start the car again.
Same results!
Car started, applied break and car turned off.
Removed battery terminal I can waited about 20 minutes after I reset all fuses in the engine compartment fuse box.
Went to start the vehicle again and the service ESC displayed on the dashboard car turned on but would not turn off after turning the key back on the ignition. Had to apply the break once more to turn the car off.
Other strange thing that happened this time was the rear washer solvent pump ran continuously until I disconnected The negative battery terminal again.

Help!

Please post any thoughts you may have on this situation.
I will be taking it to the dealer on Monday but need to somehow turn the car around without being able to take it out of park.

Brian

 

My first thought was a problem with the battery - just enough to start the vehicle, but not much beyond that. Do you have a battery charger available?

The Engine Check light is not lit up once it starts?

 

Yes, The check engine light did come on and stayed on.
What is weird is soon as I press the brake pedal all electrical components shut off.
I do have an electrical meter that I will used to check the voltage on the battery.
Thanks for the suggestion and I will keep you posted as to the results.

Brian

 

Me thinks the battery has lost its ability to keep it running, and welcome to the site.
Please keep us posted.

 

Possibly the red connection to the underhood fuse box. Possibly the alternator.

 

Well, if the Engine Check light is on, you NEED to download the codes from it to determine the source/description of the problem.

Throwing a voltmeter on the battery will only tell you the voltage - it will not tell you the health of the battery. For that you need a load tester which will determine the amperage output capability of the battery. In other words, yeah it can show 12.4V or so with no load on it, but as soon as you put a load on it, the voltage will drop to unacceptable levels - due to the battery not being able to produce much in the way of amperage.

 

Saga continues!
Disconnected the battery last night and let the vehicle sit without any power. I knew codes may be erased but what the heck.
Checked the battery date and it was changed by the previous owner in Jan 2012. Yes showed 13v the volt meter. Figured what the heck and replaced the old battery with new.
Installed new battery and the following happened:
1. No start with turning the ignition key (No click nothing)
2. No dashboard lights
3. When using the key fob traction light clicks, window lock lights click.
4. Getting power from battery but nothing happens.

Towing the vehicle to dealer tomorrow morning.

Sounds like major electrical issue "SCREWED". Not happy.

I have owned this vehicle for less than two years and bought from dealer with certified Chevy warranty.

With the GM recalls and all the key cylinder issue (fixed in Nov '14) I am wondering if that part messed something up.

Saturday morning everything was good until I shifted from park to reverse after applying brake.

Brian

 

Did you check the red (positive) cable connection at the fuse box as suggested in post #3 ?
This is a known spot for developing a corroded or loose connection.
More than 1 person has found this to be their problem on the HHR's.

 

Sorry FiremanGeorge, forgot to mention that I did take both of the red leads from the fuse box in the engine compartment area.

Still same results just clicking on door locks, no ignition key clicking when trying to turn over engine. Still nothing

Thanks

Brian

 

OK. And what was the voltage at that spot ?