HHR Electrical/Lighting Questions

lightkeeper

Are the four controls and lock for the windows supposed to light up at night? Most all other controls and switches are illuminated.

peaches552

I just purchased a Chevrolet HHR in January. The car was great until I noticed some Electrical issues. First I noticed that once in a while when the radio was off it would turn on when the turn signal was activated. It would turn off when the turn signal went off. Next was when the radio was on and I turned on the turn signal the door locks pulsed. I also experienced the radio turning on and off with the blinking seat belt warning light. Shortly after this problem was noticed I had a problem with the key not going into the ignition. Sometimes it would go in but wouldn’t come out. This problem was repaired by replacing the ignition assembly and hasn’t happened again. The radio issues have not been solved and continue to happen even though the dealer has replaced the radio. The service department has stated that they don’t know what is causing the problem and I should just continue to drive the car while they think about it. I don’t like that answer, but don’t know what else to do. The only thing they claim to have found was that there is static on the radio sometimes and it is being caused by the tach. They don’t have a fix for that yet either.

ray80

I haven't heard of that kind of problem anywhere. Sorta sounds like possible short somewhere, or perhaps something to do with BCM ( I think that may involve radio and turn signals in some way). Let us know if you find out anything more.

cj89gr

I have had my HHR for 2 weeks. I have noticed that (with the radio off) once in a while when at slow speeds and I turn on my left turn signal and step on the brake that the radio will start to buzz like it is trying to come on. The only way I can stop it is by turning the radio on. It comes on with a real loud pop and then everything is fine. I have not been able to make it happen on demand. I have not gone to my dealer with the problem yet.

ray80

I've read something about this elsewhere, and has various symptoms. They are supposed to be working on a fix (perhaps programming thing) and may be avaiable in perhaps a few weeks. If I hear more, I'll post.

jnt

cj89gr,

I think the problem is caused by the radio eventhough it happened with radio off. Here is the reason: newer radios from GM actually make the turn signal sound from the radio and you hear it from car speaker (left front?). So the buzz, pop sound is coming from the radio along with the turn signal sound. By changing the radio on/off function, you made the radio changed its mode. If this happens often, you should check with Chevy dealership. There is a TSB on new Impala radio on noisy radio in certain situation. If your radio is made by the same supplier, there is good chance that yours suffers the same problem.

jt

joeron

I have similar problems with my HHR. I turn on the ignition and don't get any of the chimes, bells, etc and the radio is dead. There are no sounds like turn signals etc It sometimes cycles itself back to normal after sitting for awhile. The radio pops loudly when it does come on. I had mine into the dealer today and they are keeping it overnight to see if they can find a "fix".

anybody have a like situation ???

joeron

I have similar problems. Has the dealer ever diagnosed yours? I cant get the radio to work at all sometimes. The bells , chimes etc don't work (sometimes) when I turn on the ignition. It seems to cycle on and off and dosent always happen.

Did your dealer ever come up with as fix for it yet

jnt

joeron,

It sounds like the radio is brain dead some of the times. All of the chimes, turn signal sound do come from radio, so they may/may not work when the radio goes off to lunch. In case if you want to get your radio back w/o dealer help: remove the fuse(s) that power the radio. Let the fuse out for 2-3 minutes so that the radio is totally dead. Then plug the fuse(s)back in. You will lose time of the day and/or some other personalizations that you did to the radio, but at least the procedure may get you back the radio option along with some other features that come with the radio.
But doing so also wipe out the evidence of problems that you 're experiencing.

jt

vinney1

Try pushing in all the fuses under the hood and inside the car. I have read where many HHR's have come from the factory with loose fuses that need to be pushed all the way in. There is a black fuse box under the hood driver's side with two tabs to remove. Also, the passenger side console panel by passenger's left foot sort of speak is where the inside fuses are located. Hope this helps!

rjdmomx2

I also have had problems that people are discussing here. I have not even owned my HHR for two full weeks yet and it's on its way back to the dealership for the second time. Two days after I got it, the radio started acting up. It would come on and off unpredictably, buttons didn't work, clock went on and off. Couldn't shut it of, or turn it on. Then the turn signal indicator noises stopped going. The safety lock for the windows doesn't work. Three days into driving this car, the windshiel got a chip in it, though a rock hit it. In this part of the country that isn't an unusual occurence, but it usually takes a pretty good hit to chip the glass. Took the car to the dealer and they kept it and replaced the radio. I got it back yesterday and then this morning the new radio is having the same problem. I like this car, but I didn't buy a new car so it could sit in the shop!

79customd

Yes thats right,
We were trailering back from Maryland with a Chevy 2500HD when we noticed that the running lights on our horse trailer were not on. We pulled into a service station and popped the hood. We pulled some fuses from the under hood fuse box and determined that a 15 amp was blown. We simply replaced the fuse with another, and on came the lights. This is a 2005 truck so I would definitly pop the hood and make sure that all fuses are intact and pushed in good, before jumping to conclusions because as technical and techno as vehichles are these days one electrical fuse can mess up how the whole vehichle operates, so give her a try there and see what happens.

redgeminipa

I purchased one of the early HHRs made. Mine was born 8/8/05 (a Monday car). I purchased the car on 9/3/05. Overall, it's a great car, but I am getting a little frustrated as well. I noticed a couple of months after I bought it, when I turned on the turn signal, I didn't have the "chime". That only happended that one time, and didn't happen again. I never experienced the "pop" sound or static.

Last week, I left work and stopped at the post office. When I got back in the car and started it, I noticed the stereo had no sound at all. Since I've been having other electrical glitches (I'll post more on that), I figured once I shut the car off, it would work the next time I started it. Well, it didn't. I had to run a few other erands, and if it didn't start working, I was going to make another appointment with the dealer. Ok ... I called and made the appointment. I made another stop ... that time when I restarted the car, the stereo was totally dead and no "chimes" at all... One last stop ... restarted the car, and everything was working as normal. So ... the next day (4/20/06) I go to the dealer ... expecting them to say "we couldn't find anything", but to my surprise, they told me there was an update from GM for the stereo. So far, so good, but time will tell.
SO ... my advice to everyone with the stereo problems... Set an appointment with your dealer. They now have an upgrade program for the stereo. :shades:
Best wishes to all ... hopefully GM gets this great little vehicle all figured out.

jnt

If the problem is radio software or calibration, then the "update" will work. Most likely GM radios are using flash memory that allows them to update the radio code if they have problem in the field. Sometime, it is hardware problem and that will that months if not a model year to validate the changes.

With every bell and whistle are now in the radio (chime, turn signal, vehicle info,..), if the radio has problem, you will lose more than just radio function. A good old disconnection and reconnection of the radio fuse(s) will reset the radio most of the time. I hope the dealer did not do that and claimed they have fixed your radio.

jt

jbwizoz

I'm having the same problem. It sounds like radio static when the radio is off and when you turn on the radio, there is a loud pop. Others are having this problem but I'm waiting to see what the solution is before I take it in because it seems the dealers are stumped as well.

redwhino

I have this same problem too. Bought the car in August 2005. At first, every once in a while you couldn't hear the blinker "click". This happened a few times, and didn't last long. Then within a couple of months, the radio sound would all of the sudden not be there. All electrical worked, but no sound. It would last about a half hour to an hour, then the sound would come back on. It is now happeneing 2 to 3 times a week. I take my HHR in tomorrow, I'm glad I'm not the only one with problems.

Another problem that I have had is with the transmission. 4 months after I got the car the transmission would slip really bad on acceleration when I got between 35 and 40 mph. I took it in and they said they "reprogrammed" the transmission. Never heard of reprogramming a transmission, but what ever they did, it fixed that problem.

pao

its a software upgrade to the radio..beleive it or not...simple easy fix....the pontiac solstice was having the same issue.....

jnt

I hope so too. Keep an eye on it however. BTW, who made the radio? Panasonic or Fusitsu-Ten, Siemen-VDO or Pioneer ?

jt

vamonticello

I've had no problems with my radio what so ever.....

I have XM and it is great,....can't wait for Oprah to join in September..... :shades:

yats

I've had the car for 3 weeks now and love it. However, I noticed that the temperature display reads a constant 66 degrees and I've tried turning on the car as if I was going to choose different options, like turn the horn on when locking the car, etc. Any ideas? Is it the ECM in the car? Where does the temperature reading come from? Thanks.

PF_Flyer

ray80

For the messed up temp display, I have heard the problem may be with the BCM (body control module) and in one case was resolved by replacing BCM (though it took a couple trys). If those options you mentioned (if they are programmable) aren't working, it would also be in the area of BCM problem.

jsherrill

Hey guys, Just bought my first HHR and i am already having a problem, I know this is probably going to sound like a joke, but here it goes, anytime I depress the brake pedal my rear windshield wiper starts wiping, i have tried replacing the relay and to no avail it will not stop, i even tried driving the car without the relay, which solved my problem, but without the relay in, I cannot open my rear hatch, because of the elctronic locking switch, I took it to the dealer and they could not find the root of the problem, i tried contacting chevy but they keep giving me the run around, any help would be greatly appreciated, if you could email me the answer at Chillin_in_shelbyville@yahoo.com i would appreciate it, i am in the military and do not have readily access to this site, thank you very much

js1717

I bought a HHR new yesterday 8-18-07 at a dealer and the outside temperature display worked for the test drive and drive home and today 8-19-07 the outside temperature display is now reading a constant 66 degrees (and the outside temp is in the 80s plus). Were you able to get yours fixed and if so what was needed? Has anyone else had this same outside temperature reading being stuck at 66 degrees? Thanks.

laco

Ok, I have a 2007 HHR, bought the end of March 07. The OAT display seems really sluggish to respond. It eventually will, but sometimes takes 30 to 60 minutes. Since a lot of my use of the car is local, that means the OAT is often 20 degrees or so low, since my garage is much cooler than it is outside at this time of the year. There has to be a way to force it to react quicker!

josan

i took delivery on my hhr sept 17 the car was running fine until i went to start it after i came back from the store and it wouldnt start.that was on friday. the service dept. has the car now for 4 days and they still cant locate the part. they say the problemis that the fuse box has to be replaced. im starting to get really frustrated. i never heard of a service department taking so long to locate a part.

laco

Your car is new enough, I would have asked to have them take one off another new car in stock, so a car with no owner would be waiting for the part.

hyrolla

Well...I just got an 2008 HHR LT1 full nine, the 1st day the remotes stopped working, So I went back to chevy they fixed that next the remote start stopped working, then the air presser stopped, the the sunroof locked up and to top it all of now there is a ticking coming from under the hood..Just so you know I only have 300 miles on the thing, and it has been the shop 4 time is less than a week....POS or what?

laco

I wouldn't get too stressed. The remote can be fixed, so can the sunroof. The ticking you describe, there is a 99% chance its the fuel injectors and is a normal sound. My 2007 does that, but the ticking got quite a bit quieter after several thousand miles were on it. I can still hear it, but I have to listen for it now.

krug_burd

i just bought a 2008 hhr and i have this light that stays on that shows down on the instrument pannel and i would liike to shut it off but dont know how. could you help me

poncho167

Sorry, I don't have one but it should be listed in the owners manual. Others may reply with the answer but if not check the manual.

ray80

If you mean the little blueish light that illuminates the console area (in particular things that aren't back lighted) , there is no switch to turn it off. If it really bothers you, I would put something over it first before trying to disable it another way (to see if you like the results).

08hhrlt20176

my 08 hhr LT has same problem. nothing no power anywhere and the battery has 13 volts the alt has good windings. my hhr has 300 miles on it i am checking into the lemon law in va. I am not paying for a car that sitting in the shop. They should take the parts off of a new one in the lot!!!! hope mine is a simple fix!!!

jerane

I have had problems getting key out of ignition. When I left it in on in the "off" position and in park battery went dead and again after recharging battery Another friend of mine had the problem of his battery dying on him. I plan on calling the dealer for a solution!!!!

hawktrap

I have a 2008 HHR 1000miles on it 2 nights ago I lost my console lights; tech speedo ect still on; also lost tail lights and brake lights. OnStar ran diagnostic and said something like the IPC did not wake up when car was started. They said maybe after shutting off car the system may come back up. I tried it several times that nite with no success. I drive home with no console lights and no tail or brake lights. The next morning I started the car up in my driveway and all was fine. Is the HHR a day light running vehicle only?

ray80

Yes, it is meant to be driven only in daytime when it can be seen . Actualy it is most likely loose fuse or bad ground wire for IPC or something like that.

hawktrap

I'll check the fuses; in the mean time I called the dealer on Sat the 5th. I asked if they have had this issue before! They said this was something new to them!! I'll get the car in this week after work. I also noticed that day. driving home that the radio shut off and I had a call (on the radio read out) on my car ph when I answered it. On Star said hello On Star ready. It happen 2x's. No one has my car ph# and no one was on the ph <img src="

marti8

I have had the radio/CD player replaced 4 times. The stations change at will, the CDs skip around from one CD to another.

Most importantly, when the electrical system goes out (all the gages) the break lights don't work and neither do the airbags.

This car is a death trap - don't buy one!

It is a big :lemon:

dmathews3

So because yours is having problems that makes every HHR a lemon. Well, mine and many many thousands of us have had no problems. Since all of us have had no problems than maybe it isn't the car that is the :lemon: after all. Only time will tell. :P :shades:

marti8

After 53 documented service trips I am pretty sure the car is at fault here, not the driver as suggested by the gentleman in the last post. I would not wish the problems I have had with this car on anyone.

dmathews3

This is what you wrote: This car is a death trap - don't buy one!

It is a big :lemon:

I feel for your problem but you basically said they were all lemons since you said no one should buy one. Sounds to me like you should take it to a different dealer if you haven't already as the one you have sounds like a :lemon:

marti8

Wow, the car has been to as dealerships, so, again; I am pretty sure this HHR is a lemon anbd not the owner; as suggested by Dave. If you want to test drve this mold infested; brake failing; non working electrical system; pos hhr; let me know and I will loan it to you. Some women know cars; caution your attitude toward the ladies! M

hawktrap

Does anybody know what that blueish light is for? It's not in the emanual? Or is that supose to be another form of on star icon? :P ; hahaha

talker20

This is not an official answer but my best guess about the blue light. Due to no illumination for the window controls and it seem to shine on them it so you can see them at night to use them,

hawktrap

Ok, 2nd time now I've lost my console and rear lites. This time I was driving home, stopped @ our community mail box. I did not shut the car off, or lights off, got out of the car and got my mail. I got in put my seat belt on and noticed I had no console lites again. I got out and ck'd my tail lights, NONE AGAIN. I got back in and drive down the block and parked in my driveway. Left the car on and walked around the car. Front lt's ON, Tail lt's off, 3rd rear lt above rear window was on. That was Sat nite, Monday moning I turn the car on to come to work; all the lights where on. Anybody having this issue? :confuse:

deezhhr

I got into my HHR this morning & started the car...all was okay except for all the gauges were dead. Radio works fine...car runs great. There is a "warning" sound..but I can't read or see what the message is. The service dept at the local Chevy dealership is not open on Saturdays...big surprise!! Anyone ever have this problem. I'm don't know too much about cars...so any answers in "simple" terms would be greatly appreciated.

hawktrap

Mine is an '08 new. It was suggested to me to check my fuses. I pushed all fuses and circuit breakers in. The fact that ALL of them moved inward was interesting. I have yet to have another issue. But I can tell you I'm keeping an eye on the issue of not having rear lights and making sure that I document the issue with OnStar.

deezhhr

Thanks I'll try that.

sunnyday13

Key won't come out and driving lights are on, seems as key is not shutting off everything even tho it is in off position. Car will start but shift can easily be moved back and forth in all positions. any ideas? GM says let the battery go dead and then we can send someone out. Of course everything is closed today - Labor Day.

rggoodwin

I've had the same problem...took it to the dealer, and a few weeks later, it happened again! I found an answer here (don't have the #). Under the steering column, there is a one inch square plug. Remove it and with your index finger find the button (it slides to the left) and the key will come out. I assume (probably incorrectly) that it will save my battery until I can get to the dealer AGAIN!!

amyf2

I have a 2008 HHR, bought 1-2-08, and in Feb 2008, we had our first visit to the service dept because I was pulled over by a cop telling me I had no tail lights. We first didnt think anything of it, when all the interior dash lights disappeared, and I was going to make an appt with the service dept.....several days went by, then I was pulled over. Didnt realize the interior dash lights were tied in with the tail lights. Everything was fine for several months, then in Nov 2008, we were in Tulsa and the light was off again inside... before we left the airport, we realized we had no tail lights. My husband replaced the 10 amp fuse with another 10, and it blew right away. We replaced it with a 15, and shutting the hood made it blow. We put in a 25 to get home. Before we made it to service the next day, it blew the 25. The service dept couldnt find an issue, so they put back another 10. This lasted 2 weeks. On Sunday after Thanksgiving, we noticed no interior lights again. We had to pull off the interstate to get fuses (since we used them all up at the airport), and we put in a 20 to get home. Went to service for a THIRD TIME, and still, no one can find a problem. They have traced our wiring from start to end, and also checked the Tail Light Circuit Board. Nothing. Another 10 amp fuse is in now, and still working.......but I dont know what could be wrong. Anyone else with this problem? Thanks.