I did get a pic.
So for clarity, let's not call them vertical, let's say parallel.

 

If this is not common with these the fan may be pulling a bit more current than normal.

 

Here's something interesting. The parts book shows 4 part numbers for the harness. 2 are 1st design, the other 2 are 2nd design. So we both have 2009, but they may have a different connector.

 

Yeah that is interesting. That will make it even harder to find unless this other connector I found will work. I will keep everyone posted so if you ever need to change later.

 

mine looked like that where the connector was between the fan and fan module. i went to carparts.com to get the whole fan assembly with the fan module for $165. although looks like they're out of stock at the moment. i was thinking about replacing the connector as well but ran across the website and just bought the whole assembly.

 

I am going this route to see if it will work. I bought from an Ebay seller that was already together with pigtail.

 

There were 5 different motors used in the HHR: L61, LE5, LE8, LE9 and LNF. Could that explain the different connectors?

 

I don't know if they had different connectors. The harnesses were redesigned, but who knows what the change was.

 

The harness was redesigned, who knows what the change was. But RockAuto lists the same radiator cooling fan for all 3 years for SS. So now I'm thinking the connectors were the same.

 

Ok, I'm looking at my old fan unit. The connector in question is the one that connects the fan to the module. Mine looks just like yours, and I agree, the one you ordered looks the same also.

EDIT: I thought you ordered the Aptiv 480. The one on eBay, the locking clip looks just a little wider than the original, almost as wide as the male part of the connector. The dimensions they give, the length and width match, but the height of my connector is about 27.5 mm, their connector is 24.8. Significant