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Starter Problem! Turn Ignition, One Click, No Crank
Problems/Service/RepairsIf you have a problem with your HHR, want a tip on repairing or performing a particular service to you HHR here is the place to post!
Starter Problem! Turn Ignition, One Click, No Crank
I am at a loss right now. I have a 2011 HHR with the 2.2L Ecotec with 80k miles. Recently I started getting a rough idle, so I scanned the trouble codes, which gave me codes indicating a faulty crankshaft position sensor. So I ordered a new crankshaft position sensor, and installed it this week. This process involves removing the starter because it is located behind the starter. Once I put it all back together with the new CPS, the car will not start. I get one click when I turn the ignition, but the starter doesn’t engage. I went through all the troubleshooting for a faulty starter. Checked related fuses/relays, double checked that all connectors were fully connected, etc. After all this I was fairly certain that the starter was now bad. So I bought a new starter and installed that as well
Still the same issue. I am not sure where to go from here. Is there possibly a ground from the starter that I may have missed or something else like that?
Admittedly, when I took the starter off the first time, I was having trouble disconnecting the connector from the solenoid, and yanked on some of the wires a few times, perhaps too roughly.
So I’m now stuck, not sure where to go from here. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!
What is the code? If it is P0016 or P0017 it does not mean "faulty crankshaft sensor" it means the crankshaft sensor is doing its job. You have a bad timing chain.
You probably mixed some wires up at the starter.
Guy.
Do you hear a metallic click from the bottom front? If so - This is most likely a bendix - such a self-retractable contraption with a gear at the end.
When you removed the starter, it was probably the last blow to the already almost dead bendix.
How to check: disconnect the starter from the on-board network, connect it directly to the battery - the bendix should move forward and spin. Some immediately remove the starter from the car for this procedure, so that they can be cleaned / repaired immediately after checking. A couple of bolts, no problem.
If it is faulty, then 2 options: 1) buy a new starter; 2) disassemble and service the starter (replacing bearings, replacing electricpullers, cleaning, etc.) + replacing the bendix. If you choose the 2nd option, it is not necessary to do it yourself - there are specialized electrical workshops (at least these should be).
For reference: it happens that the starter is working, but the engine flywheel is already without teeth. But this is hardly your case.
Welcome to the site, first I suggest you retrace and double check your work, then inspect the under hood fuse panel, are the halves hood and tight?
See post # 14 in this thread
yes I was getting misfires prior to this. I changed the crank sensor on the advice of one of my mechanic friends based on the codes, but now talking to multiple other people familiar with the 2.2 it seems that was bad advice.
Guy.
Do you hear a metallic click from the bottom front? If so - This is most likely a bendix - such a self-retractable contraption with a gear at the end.
When you removed the starter, it was probably the last blow to the already almost dead bendix.
How to check: disconnect the starter from the on-board network, connect it directly to the battery - the bendix should move forward and spin. Some immediately remove the starter from the car for this procedure, so that they can be cleaned / repaired immediately after checking. A couple of bolts, no problem.
If it is faulty, then 2 options: 1) buy a new starter; 2) disassemble and service the starter (replacing bearings, replacing electricpullers, cleaning, etc.) + replacing the bendix. If you choose the 2nd option, it is not necessary to do it yourself - there are specialized electrical workshops (at least these should be).
For reference: it happens that the starter is working, but the engine flywheel is already without teeth. But this is hardly your case.
Welcome to the site, first I suggest you retrace and double check your work, then inspect the under hood fuse panel, are the halves hood and tight?
See post # 14 in this thread
thank you Oldblue. I have seen that thread. I’ve also retraced my work multiple times over the past several days. I’m practically an expert at removing and installing the starter at this point since I’ve done it so many times this week.
I will check the fuse box, although I’m not 100% convinced that could be the issue, as I didn’t really mess with it at all the past week until this issue popped up, and have never experienced this no crank no start problem with this car in the past.
