My 07 HHR with the 2.4 has issues when you try to start it after it has been driven, it cranks and starts then shuts down. We used to be able to hit the fuse box and it would start, the dealership replaced a relay and it has been fine until now.

When it has been driven for a few miles then you shut it off it will start and die immediately, banging on the fuse box no longer does anything, if we let it cool off completely then it will fire up. The problem is after it spent 2 weeks at the dealership it will not do it when they have it, are there any known issues or does anyone have an idea what it might be.

 

its not overheating is it ?

 

I would try taking it to another dealer maybe? I don't know though.

 

No it's not overheating, I think it's a sensor or something but it's hard for them to tell because it doesn't do it when they have it at the dealership, the wife won't drive it anymore because she is afraid of getting stranded and it's her car

 

I think it's the fuse box or a pin connector at the fuse box.

 

How exactly did you figure out (the first time) that hitting the fuse box would help the starting issues? Sounds like that is a good place to start (no pun intended).

 

The first time it did it, it started after I opened the hood and looked at things then I closed the hood, so I figured it jarred the fuse box enough to make the relay close or open whatever it needed to do, so after that we would just smack the fuse box and then it would start, that no longer works. Just talked to a different dealer today that said it might be something with the pass key.

 

interesting...keep us posted with the results if you would.

 

I'm having the same problem, the car will turn on and then shut off. We took it to a dealer and they said there is nothing wrong with it, besides that it won't start of course. Did you figure out what the problem was?

 

Had the same problem with my 06. The dealer quoted me $800 to fix, they told me I needed another fuse box. I disassembled everything thinking something in the fuse box broke. That was not the case. My neighbor who is a mechanic and also got involved came over and I showed him all the pieces laying on the driveway. Nothing wrong. If you remove the fuse box and look at the plug closest to the fire wall there is a grey wire on the driver's side that needs to be pushed in. When I was reassembling I noticed that the terminal end of the grey wire (wire to fuel pump) was sticking out. When the plug is inserted onto the fuse box the fuel pump wire terminal gets pushed out. I did not notice a locking tab on the terminal at all. So I installed the plug then pushed the terminal into place. Zero issues ever since. That was a month ago. Before that the car drove us all crazy. Every other day we had starting and stalling issues.

Rich

Whoo hoo post number #1!!