2.2 '08 no engine light. My rpm's like to ride between 2,000-2,500 at all speeds. Seems to shift through all gears but will "bobble" when engine acceleration levels out with speed of vehicle. Let off gas a tiny bit or give a tiny bit more gas to keep from bobbing. Changed trans fluid and filter, no change. I thought maybe tcc but seems my engine light would be on if that were the case. Any ideas before I spend big money at a shop?

 

Welcome to the site, how many miles on your ‘08.
when did this start happening?
how old is the battery?
have you inspected the TCM harness for a loose connection?
have you inspected the ground connections at the transmission, just down to the right of the oil filter housing and in the rad cradle above the drivers side headlight?
Have you considered removing the valve cover to inspect the timing chain for stretching?
ine or all of these might be the culprit.

 

Welcome
To add, not all trouble codes will light up the Check Engine Light. Certain conditions have to be met before it triggers the light.
I suggest you have the codes pulled with a quality code reader. There may be a code "pending".

2nd guess would be you have a throttle body issue. Several members have reported similar type problems that turned out to be throttle body related.

 

Sounds to me like normal operation of the torque converter lock up. It is supposed to lock as soon as you stop accelerating. Then you are in overdrive and solid drive modes. Some years are programmed differently.

 

207k miles. Engine runs great, no miss, very quiet. I've had it a month and was like this when I bought it. My truck trans went bad and only working part time, this vehicle was my only option to keep getting to work. I've wanted an HHR since they came out just now landed one. The fluid/filter is all I've done so far. I will take the time to check the above mentioned suggestions. Thank you for replying.

 

I’d go with the simple stuff first, before taking the engine valve cover off .
even if after you check for codes, try a battery lobotomy.
I believe most likely it’s the normal programming in the TCM . But just to be sure, check what you are comfortable with.