I caled the dealer and told him what I wanted quoated $92.00 went inearly the next day, called the dealer in Hemet he qouated the same price but I would not go to that dealer even if it was free.

 

only one chevy dealer here in town that deals with the HHR... called them and was told that they do not just update the ECM or flash it for no reason and if they did it would be around $230.00 !?!?!?!?!

 

I could really go for 34mpg @ 70mph.. has anyone near dayton/vandalia ohio had this done?

 

=Lonewolf_ict;527784]only one chevy dealer here in town that deals with the HHR... called them and was told that they do not just update the ECM or flash it for no reason and if they did it would be around $230.00 !?!?!?!?![/QUOTE]

Sorry to reply to a really old post, but my "Check Engine" light came on about a week ago. I took the HHR to the local dealer and they said that the computer needed to be "Updated"? And it DID cost me $237.80!!
I don't know if I got ripped off or not? It's a 2006 I bought new in August 2005, but it only has 38,00 miles on it!

 

I would call Chevrolet let them know the mileage and you are the original owner and see if they would give some assistance towards the update. When the shifter went out on ours we called for assistance the factory paid for the part and we paid the labor.

 

Where you interested enough to find out why the CEL was on or why the ECM would need updating?

 

All I know is that the CEL was on and they diagnosed it as the ECM needed to be updated. What was I to ask them? Nothing was ever mentioned that was something that needed to be done before in all the times I've been there for service over the last 10 years. It does seem to run better now I will say!

 

Without knowing that the error code was that triggered the CEL coming on - no one can really give any kind of accurate suggestion on whether the work was necessary or not, or if the charges were valid, nor do we know how long it took for them to run diagnostics, fix, and subsequent tests.

If you don't know why the ECM needed updating, neither would anyone here.

Always get the "code" - not a verbal description, the actual "Code".

 

They really like customers with deep pockets and no questions.

I don't know why a firmware update would be needed after at least 4 years. What broke the programming?

 

PCM Flash: I've been seeing the posts pop up for other Chevy/GM's that have suggested that flashing the PCM could clear up some problems with what was then, and what is now. Apparently, since I've done what it takes to try to clear my P0172 Code, and it still seems to be remaining after all the other possible causes are cleared of issues, including my buying a new MAF and cleared for possible vacuum leaks. It seems this is the last thing that can be done, since it's highly possible that the Alcohol % in the fuel is a common issue and could benefit from a Flash. It seems if the alcohol % changes, then was known to trigger the P0172, and the only way around it from being persistent is to have the PCM flashed to relearn it.

Has anyone found a flash tool or resource where you can do the update yourself, or is it something that's impossible to do outside of paying a dealer or specialty shop?