Okay Fam! An update for you.

After numerous talks with GM and going back and for about a year now, I've officially put in a compliant to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) about dome light for the 2009 HHR. As many of you are probably not aware, there is no way to manually shut off the dome lights with the doors open. Basically, if you're tailgating, doing a jump, getting a jump, listening to music, or doing extending work on the inside of The HHR with the doors open, the lights will never shut off until the battery is drained. Again, no the battery rundown protection does not kick in with the doors open after 30 minutes like the manual says. I've had my doors open for an hour and a half and the lights were still on.

If you have any concerns about your HHR like I did, (not just limited to the dome light) NHTSA's number is 1-888-327-4236 or www.safecar.gov. You can do the form (it's only a one pager) and send it to them. When you do, you'll get a reference number or "case number" to work with. Most of the time, they go by the number of people that have an issue and then they do an investigation. In a nutshell, the more people that complain the better. That's not me saying this...NHTSA is saying it. They go by the patterns of consumers and they even suggested that I post this on this board to encourage people to contact NHTSA and file cases with them. It's easy and free.

If you have a 2009-2011 HHR, you do not have a dome light with an override switch in it. You cannot manually shut off your dome lights unless you either pull the fuse or get a toggle switch which both options can and will void your warranty. This has been verified by GM that both will void the warranty. Changing a fuse does not void the warranty but just pulling it out to shut off the dome lights (unless in case of an emergency where they have to be shut like going on a tow truck to the dealer from a problem) does. However, GM can fix the problem (I've offered them some suggestions on how to do it including modifying the dimmer switch to shut off the lights with the doors open or putting the 2008 dome light with the override switch back in) but they refuse to do or admit fault. Call their number and make your own case if you feel the need to do so. Me? I'm pursuing it because a dome light with a manual override switch is usually standard on any vehicle as it's usually a safety hazard not to have the option. GM probably figured that no one would notice or even care. I did and I still do as I can't even tailgate or listen to my music with my doors open because the dome lights never shut off. I feel like I got screwed because I love my HHR but that dome light is a big issue for me. I'm not doing this just for me but for everyone that's going through what I'm going through because in a nutshell it's not right.

To the mods: If I've put this in the wrong area or have done something against the rules of this board, I humbly apologize. I'm not trying to spam the board and I hope Y'all will see that I'm just trying to fix the problem within the perimeters of GM warranty without violating it or causing folks to voilate it.

Thanks

Blue

 

Sorry, but can you explain exactly why/how this is a safety issue?

 

On my 2007, the lights go off after 20 minutes or something. That's if you have a door open and then you leave it open the entire time. After a while, they shut off on their own. I know this from vacuuming the inside of my HHR, they have shut off on me while doing it. But, ff you're going back and forth opening doors, the lights will come back on.

 

I don't have an issue as to where you placed this thread, but I do have an issue with some of your statements.

First off the battery run down protection happens after 20 minutes, not 30. Also it does turn the dome lights out 20 minutes after the last door is opened. If you close the door and/or open a second door or the rear liftgate, you start another 20 minute session. The battery run down protection works even if the key is in the ignition, but turned off. If the key is in the run or accessory position battery run down protection is not on.

If yours doesn't work as I just stated then your vehicle has a problem, not all 2009-2011 HHRs.

Also removing your fuse to cancel the dome lamps WILL NOT void your warranty. Whoever told you that is dead wrong.

As far as a dome light override switch, they are not equipped with them. That is the only issue you have with GM. As far as that being a safety feature, that's up to everyones own opinion, or a judge/jury opinion.

 

The OP appears to have an issue with the timer for "his" car.Get that fixed and the override switch issue probably wouldn't seem that important.
And yes my lights turn off,time out or whatever after 20 mins. on my 2010 SS.

 

Huh. This is the first car I've owned that turns the dome light off if you leave the doors open.

All my other cars require you to actually close the doors if you want the light to go off.

 

Mine times out (off) as well. Installing wires and stuff for the stereo (key off), I would be in the dark and be forced to close/reopen a door. And for the guys/gals running LED dome light replacement bulbs, there should be even less safety concern as there is nearly no heat generated.

 

Maybe I'm stupid(ask my wife about that sometimes), but I'm not seeing a safety issue here. It sounds like more of a personal preference issue, and I could never see GM voiding a warranty for pulling a fuse. I'm not bashing you Blue, just think that maybe you should take a different tact here.

 

My 12 year old 1998 Dodge truck turns the lights off.Your other cars must have been older I'm guessing.

 

You'd be guessing right. Next oldest is the wife's 93 Benz.
My son has a 97 Astro, but the domelight is MIA so I don't know if it times out.