2006 Chevy HHR Dash Gauges and Dash Lights Intermittent Issues

Well my wife's 2006 HHR starting acting like it was possessed with Gremlins. Sometimes it took three attempts to start. Sometimes the gauges would act crazy, bounce from low to high, and show intermittent readings. The security theft light was lit and of course the check engine light was too. The transmission would even start acting strange. However, turn the key off, restart the car, and everything was fine. I decided to pull the fuse box and clean the connections. This seemed to work for a while, but I think the real issue was associated with a Chevy recall of the key switch.
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[@dlemon0924]

To anyone who is recently having this issue. I had the same problem with abs/warning lights, And gas/rpm/ Speedo all going nuts. After 4 mechanics and endless stressing. I found an auto electric specialist that determined it was the abs pump/module. Hopefully this helps. I spent hours watching these videos and going crazy. This was my fix. Hope it helps someone out!

[@SteveAZ711]

Late, but thankyou!

[@cometrider2000]

Thank you for the repair movie . When you lifted the fuse box upper half you had turned it over right on top of the clean bottom half . I was glad to see that it was clean and free of corrosion . I like 👍 the repair films that you have made for us out here in KZbin world !! 😳

[@SteveAZ711]

Thanks for the comment louis t! I think after I made this video Chevy had a recall on the ignition switch. That could have been the problem all along. These intermittent problems are very difficult to find and fix.

[@warren3231]

my hhr instrument panel was not showing coolant temperature, the ac wasn't working and the radio screen wasn't showing even though the radio worked, I knew it was an electrical issue because sometimes these things would work. So I found your video and did the same thing you did and everything is working now, so thank you for taking the time to make this video and helping people out.

[@SteveAZ711]

WARREN ELLIS Hi Warren, Thanks for the comment!. I did not have any more issues after doing this procedure, but in hind site I think the ignition switch recall ( which I took avail of) may have been the needle in the haystack that was making so many problems for HHR owners.

[@warren3231]

SteveAZ711 did you get new remotes or just new keys?

[@SteveAZ711]

WARREN ELLIS I got new keys with the new switch and left one remote with the dealer at the time. I believe I then used my new second key to reprogram the switch myself. I have slept a few times since then, but I think the procedure was nothing more than starting and stopping with the new key three times and using the remote to work the door locks. I do have a remote start on the vehicle but I do not think I used it.

[@Unstoppable700]

I have been fighting this issue but I know what the actual problem is.... go under the driver side of the dash and follow the wiring coming from the obd2 port, you will find a flaw in the way Chevrolet routed the wiring. There will be a spot where a sharp edge has rubbed through a wire. And that's what is causing all the crazy intermittent problems such as crazy gauges, not starting, and hard transmission shifts. It's a pink wire I believe. Tape the wires up and reroute away from the sharp edge and done.

[@jameskahl8800]

Not seeing it..

[@jeepero73]

You the man!!! Thanks saved me a lot of time

[@superdow1000]

You are sure right about the sharp edge on that bracket.....in my case however I didn't notice any cut wires

[@DebbieOsgood-y8q]

My hhr has a bad problem too. First all the dash lights and warning lights would flash and the needles would all go crazy. Now the speedometer needle will go over 120 and no blinking of lights or dash lights for about 20 miles then they'll blink a few times,then everything will be normal. We'll try this .

[@SteveAZ711]

It is possible that yo I have a bad ignition switch. Chevy may replace the switch if your HHR did not already have it done. THERE was a recall and these ignition switches were replaced free. Yours may not have been replaced. Call the Chevy dealer and the parts department can look it up. Your HHR does act like it may need a new switch. Hope this helps.

[@chasedyer5950]

@@SteveAZ711 Is there a way to test the ignition switch to know thats the issue?

[@donmcarthur7786]

I have heard many times that GM Service Department tells people they never heard of the problem. Funny thing is GM published TSBs in 2009! TSB # 09-06-03-004 and TSB #07-08-45-003. There may be a letter at the end that signifies revisions, like adding model years. This has nothing to do with the ignition recall; different symptoms and solutions. This has nothing to do with the special extended warranty on the power steering motor. TSBs are intended to help the professional diagnose and repair problems that may not be obvious, they are not recalls. Some announce recalls and instruct on the diagnosis and repair.

[@nelcarreno]

GRACIASSS , AÑOS SIN SABER PORQUE PASABA ESO

[@SteveAZ711]

Eres muy bienvenido

[@HeinH-dx1gu]

This was super helpful for my HHR, thanks for posting this!

[@SteveAZ711]

Glad it was helpful!

[@G322G]

I had this issue in my 2008 hhr with the 2.2. It was a intermittent issue and I tried adding a ground to the TCM but the issue remained. It ended up going from a intermittent issue to all the time followed by having intermittent issues with starting. It would just click but the starter would not engage. I tried installing a starter and ignition switch but it did not fix the issue. After persisting to the point of not being able to use the car I bought a crank sensor and installed it and it fixed the starting issue as well as the speedometer, tachometer and power steering warning message. Just wanted to share in case someone is having the same issue.

[@SteveAZ711]

TY LW G...Your help is appreciated in the quest to solve some strange issues that may crop up in these unique HHRs. Thankyou!

[@randypq4671]

Well... did this fix the issue? I'm at my wit's end with this instrument panel clicking and turning on and off and on and off and on and off... now they rarely come on. Car works perfectly other than that.

[@SteveAZ711]

I believe it did some good, but there was a recall on the ignition switch and when the dealership replaced it, I did not have any more issues.

[@1975Adamd]

Any ideas on solving a P0073 no communication bus a off code? Been trying to figure it out. Code gets thrown at start up and goes into limp mode hard shifting. If I clear the code it drives fine. Replaced the tcm and it was good for about 4 start cycles. New battery, new plugs and coils,new maf sensor, wiring harness seems good, my mechanic thinks maybe the ignition switch is causing the code at start up? It’s never been replaced 120,000 miles.

[@SteveAZ711]

The HHR's had an issue with the key switch causing all sorts of intermittent problems(hardest to repair). Also, check wiring to the connection for mouse chewing issues. mice like HHR's for some reason. Also, read some of the issues like yours with this link, www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/dtc-p0700-u0073-39743/ Let me know what you find.

[@RicardoGonzalez-wo3kx]

I had the same problem. I stop the car, shut it off and restarted and works fine for a while. Chevrolet dealer change the ignition switch because the recall. It stop doing it for probably year and a half. Yesterday it start going crazy again. I am planning to take the HHR to the dealer again to see if is related to the ignition switch and the warranty cover it. I am not sure at all. Suggestions? Ricardo

[@SteveAZ711]

+Ricardo Gonzalez Hello. The ignition switch solved the issue with my HHR. I do get an error code p0366(camshaft position sensor B) every once in a while usually... when it gets very cold outside. However, the crazy dash gauges and such have never come back since the ignition switch change. Perhaps you may need another ignition switch. Even a new one can go bad. Thanks for the comment! SteveAZ711

[@RicardoGonzalez-wo3kx]

thanks SteveAZ711

[@MrRoobertable]

thank you i will try this

[@stevenjames7073]

Thank u for sharing🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@wrightrepair]

Dielectric grease is not a conductor and should not be put on the terminals, just will give you worse connection. It’s for locking out moisture not to make a better connection.

[@orlandojavela1744]

Hola necesito saber cuánto debe cargar el alternador de la hh2.2

[@SteveAZ711]

el ciclo de trabajo varía en 10% -11v, 50% -13.25v 90% -15.5v, salida nominal del alternador 130a. Prueba de carga 91a. espero que esto ayude. No hablo español, así que espero que esta traducción haya salido bien. SteveAZ711

[@fiddlestickers4687]

This was helpful but now I have to find how to do the battery in the back lol. Imma noob at car repair.

[@SteveAZ711]

If your local auto parts store sells batteries then they may help you with the replacement. Auto Zone comes to mind here.

[@mattfrazer3278]

HI HAVE A 2010 H HR HOW EASY WAY TO TURN OFF THE H H R THANK YOU

[@Ostrich42069]

Use the key to turn it off like any other car haha

[@chipwatkins7154]

09 hhr console lights stay on need help

[@SteveAZ711]

You might try this...www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/08-hhr-parking-lights-stay-54630/