Thanks, everyone! It is amazing how much knowledge is here!!

So, now that I have actually written it out, I wonder. will the TPMS relearn actions fail to even acknowledge my existence and the fact that I am squeezing two silly buttons, looking rather like a chipmunk greedily holding a nut in my paws, waiting for the horn to beep, if indeed, the front driver sensor is out,...dead, kaput, pushing up daisies?
Why would the car care that I am pushing these buttons if there is nothing for it to talk to?

Would the car bypass the possibly dead ones and start the relearning on the back tires?
If, for example, the rear passenger sensor was dead, how would the system react after relearning the front two?
Would it just say "Sorry kid, nothing there for me to read so I am going back to sleep" and then fail to relearn the rear driver sensor?

I think I best go finish my coffee while pondering the mysteries of the hhr.....

 

I suggest, change all 4 sensors, they are fairly cheap on EBay. Then that eliminates the dead battery society! Cause you know, once 1 or 2
batteries die the other 2 are on borrowed time!
I’ve had to change out all 4 on my summer rims , the tire guy broke them fixing slow leaks on the beads.

 

Hi Old Blue! Yes, I am sure that I what I will end up doing, I was hoping there was a way to test their deadness, to be sure that is the issue, before changing them.

I live by the old adage, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
and always start with the simple before going into the complex, for example, if motor isn't working check the fuse before replacing motor :-)

 

When you push the buttons on the fob you are communicating with the RemoteControlDoorLockReceiver. It goes into learn mode. Then the first tire sensor that gets excited, by either doing the air thing or using the tool, fills the Left Front slot, the second goes to the Right Front slot and so on. So, it really does not matter where the tire is physically, you are telling the car which is which.

This means that if the fob does not work on the doors it won't work on the TPMS. You could test the relearn by lying to the computer.

The RCDLR lives in that bump in the headliner next to the mirror.

 

I can relate to that old adage , but I have found a package of 4 is less then buying 3 or 4 individually, plus shipping!
According to page 5-66 of the 2009 model year owner’s manual, there is not requirement for the exciter device!

 

Depends on date of mfg.

My 2008 had the firmware problem; it would go into learn mode but not respond to air pressure.
My 2011 acted the same way.
Both produced a honk and time out. and the driver turn signal lit waiting for a signal.

This case is different if the initial honk and lights don't work it is not going into learn mode. I recall someone got that result from a clone replacement fob. Take the PC board out of the case, if there is a LED on it, it is suspect. If remote start is activated pushing Lock+Panic should start the car. Those clone boards sometimes have trouble with the combo codes.

 

It is not a factory remote although it does respond like one according to the manual, it does lock and unlock, the remote start has its own button and it works too... I guess for some reason mine just wont go into learn mode


and when i truly get sick of the tire light, I will as old blue suggests, have all four sensors changed :-)

 

I meant the alternate remote start "Lock+Panic". Like I said, if the circuit board has a LED on it it is definitely the problem and the only solution is getting a factory circuit board. The programmer that comes with the Dorman kits works with any compatible fob. Factory fobs are cheap on ebay.

"fob" is the circuit board not the case.

 

ah! I see! I will have to try the lock and panic combo and see what happens. No led inside......

Thanks for the tip Don!

 

I just looked on EBay and a set of 4 sensors were under $50.00 , I googled HHR TPMS sensors

this part number is the one listed for the HHR

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/4-PCS-GM-OEM...-127632-2357-0