Well, no luck at the dealer. The part number is not a good number. The parts guy said to try the service department. The service guy says that GM doesn't reference terminal part numbers anymore for repair. The service department has a big chest of drawers and they visually match up terminals if possible. Even if they were to allow me to look through their terminal selection to match the existing terminals, I can't take the existing terminals out of the car because they're part of the wiring harness.

I'll have to look at the terminals in the car tonight to get a better idea of what they look like. Maybe I'll try some other dealers to see if they know more.

This is actually the last piece of the puzzle. Based on the 2007 switch outputs and the wiring diagram for my 2006 HHR, it's almost certain that the switch will work. I just don't want to fudge something together. I prefer the connection to look factory (reliable and removable).

Steve

 

This week I'm going to have another try at getting the terminals. I was hoping to get them last week, but the family (including me) has gone through a stomach virus that has disrupted operations at home.

On the net, I have managed to even locate the original engineering drawing from Packard electric for the terminal. Unfortunately, online sources won't just sell a few terminals. So far the ones I have found are either wholesale only or have a minimum purchase of $25 or more.

I'll try other GM dealers in the area to see if they'll be more cooperative than the last one.

It seems incomprehensible that GM would assign a part number to the correct terminal, put it in the service manual, but then require the dealer to do a "visual comparison" with hundreds of connectors in a bin of drawers . Couldn't they just mark the drawer with the correct part#??? Imagine going to the dealer, asking for a BCM for your car, and having the parts guy say that you have to bring it in so they can find something on the shelves that looks like it?

Oh well, time to keep forging ahead.

Looks like snow tonight, so I'll have to take the new Bridgestone Blizzaks to the tire shop to be mounted on the factory rims.

Steve

 

This is something GM needs to fix (at least make available) on the '06. It is a safety issue with having infants locked in the back, facing away from you. Driving in the dark is nerve wracking when it gets quiet back there.

Hadababyitsaboy. 11/13/06 Wesley Merrill 9lbs 3ozs

 

Any updates??

I've been hoping to convert both of mine.

 

Sorry, no updates yet! The weather has been crappy the last few months (very cold, snow, etc). I hope to get back to the project in the next few weeks. I'm almost 100% sure it will work, I just need to get the terminals and install it. Also sitting behind my desk at work in a box are two sets of replacement outside mirror glass and aftermarket mirror heaters from Burco. Looks like they will be installed for next winter! I really, really miss having mirror heaters here in Buffalo. Almost every vehicle comes with a heated mirror option, what was Chevy thinking not offereing it on the HHR?

In any case, the renewed discussion on the dome light switch has inspired me to try and get the terminals this week and install the new switch ASAP. I will post as soon as its done.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve.

 

Boy, getting some of those terminals for the connector is far and away the hardest part of the project! For those interested, the terminals are Packard Electric #1204 0511.

I just located a company that supplies large quantities of oem connectors and terminals. They are willing to send me some samples of these connectors. I should have them in a few weeks and then I can proceed with the install (which should take a day or two). When I get the terminals and install the switch, I'll post the results.

Steve

 

Been waiting for an update, thanks Steve!

As soon as you get this worked out, I've got 2 to do!

 

Do HHR's with out sunroofs have a dome light over the front seats in the headliner? I have a sunroof, so my lights are under the rear view mirror. Just wondering???

 

Nope the Dome Light from the factory is located in the back.