So, I took my 2006 HHR to Paul's Automotive in Vegas, an electrical specialist. It's battery was constantly draining. Paul's placed a new alternator, and unhooked the moon roof motor as they thought that may be the cause of a parasitic drain on our battery. (I did buy the only remaining HHR moon roof battery left on earth in case I want it installed--it's a refurb still sitting wrapped in its postal wrap in my garage.)

Well, the battery drained again last month.

Yesterday we had the gumption to try to get the battery draining issue fixed again. A new mechanic came by. After charging the battery as much as he could, he said that 'something' was still whirring or going even after the car was turned off. He said it was a solenoid and that the entire dash would have to be removed to get at it. A $1600 job--not counting replacing the battery. So, easily another $2000 for my Blueberry Hill baby. She's one expensive lady.

Does the 'solenoid' diagnosis make sense? Asking before I plop down my remaining funds.

Thankyou.

 

I’m not aware of any moon roof battery or a behind the dashboard solenoid. I think that new mechanic is just going to remove as much of your cash as he can. I’m thinking, go to a different shop!

 

Ty, Blue!! Will do!!

 

Pretty bad "electrical specialist". What is a moonroof battery? How could the moonroof possibly do that, don't they know about switches?
Did disabling the moonroof make the lift gate inoperable?
Anything left plugged into either of the auxiliary 12 volt outlets? Any CherckEngineLight? After market radio? What is the voltage of the battery? How old is the battery? Was a load test done? Do the doors lock and unlock with the fob?
Solenoids click motors whirr.
Is this whirring when the door is open or closed or both?
Try pulling fuse #56 under hood, unless you use OnStar or XM/Sirius.
"Does the solenoid' diagnosis make sense?" No, The clowns at Paul's don't know about switches that activate things.

Youtube has a lot of how to find "parasitic drain" vids. Here is one:

 

Pull one of the battery cables. Put a small light bulb or test lamp between the battery and the cable. If there is a drain, the light should light. Pull fuses till it goes out. Now you know where to look.

 

HHR moonroof battery ? No such thing.

 

That might work on older cars but doesn’t really work on modern day cars. There are computers and other systems that draw power all the time.

 

I discovered by accident that the retained power does not shut down if you remote start the car and do not cycle the ignition after it shuts off after 5 minutes. I have been remote starting the HHR for about 2 months now since wife has not been able to drive it (her car now) to keep the battery charged. If I cycle the ignition on and off after using remote start and do not drive it, battery is fine for weeks. If I remote start it and get busy and forget to go out to the car and cycle the ignition switch the battery will die in about two days.
Discovered the exact same issue with my 2010 Camaro, battery will drain if I do not cycle the ignition after remote start and not actually drive the car.
Anybody else know about this issue?

 

The RAP is supposed work like this:

 

maybe everything is simpler?, maybe the battery is discharged for natural reasons?
If the car is not used every day - once a week or the like... and if the car contains a lot of electrical consumers - car alarm + navigator + subwoofer + etc. In such a situation, the battery feeds all these devices at its own expense throughout the parking period and is depleted naturally.