I went to start my HHR 5 days ago, and it wouldn’t start, all the dash lights came on, air and radio came on, but the car wouldn’t turn over. Jump started it, and it’s started fine since. I went straight to advanced to have the battery/charging system tested, I’ll attach picture of the read out. The starter/alternator tested good. The girl doing the test said the battery was “bad” but I don’t see it anywhere on the read out. Also I’ve noticed that sometimes the car seems to slightly lose power for a second then it comes right but back (if that’s makes sense) sorry .. I’m just not sure what to do .. can the alternator actually be bad, and test good? This car has given me so much trouble.. it won’t upload my test report :
battery results:
CHARGE REQUIRED
voltage: 12.58
measure: 421 CCA
RATED:600 cca
temperatire 77 f

starter test:
cranking normal
voltafe 10.41v
amp 0.1
time: 1.45 s

Charging system:
NO PROBLEMS
no load: 14.80V
load: 14.85v
CHARGING SYSTEM OUTPUT TEST NORMAL

 

Your battery is low on voltage, these HHR’s like 12.7 volts or higher.
If it’s the original 2008, or if it’s over 5years old , it’s time for a new battery, especially with winter coming, I don’t know how cold it gets in your neck of the woods, but up here we have already had frost and freezing cold weather.

 

Though this may sound ignorant; I’m not sure how old the battery is. I’ve had the car since 2016, and I haven’t replaced it yet. It’s also super hot in my neck of the woods, deep down in Louisiana..

 

This is your problem.... You need a new battery.


Make sure whoever installs it hooks up the vent hose properly....

 

You don't see it on the read out? I do.

12,58 volts should be above 12.75
CCA measured 441
CCA rated 600
starter voltage 10.1 should be above 12.75

Do you expect the machine to actually print "bad"?

 

Don’t go cheap on a battery, it will cost you more in the long run .

 

Donbrew, thank you. I wasn’t sure what it meant. I had noticed it says “charge is low and must be charged to determine the condition” and wasn’t sure. I guess I was thinking it should say “bad” . I also tried researching the results, which did no good. So I came here. Sorry for the dumb question, but thank you for helping me understand all those numbers 😊

 

Oldblue, thank you for the tip. Only one I can seem to find in stock is at advanced auto is an “auto craft gold” group size t5 650 cca..

 

If it's for your HHR get it.
They'll even install it for free.
Remember it's in the back by the spare tire.

 

My local Advance won't install batteries in the trunk. They claim "company policy".

Group 90 is the old designation a lot of stores have not converted to the new numbers.. Wal-mart usually has them. They are expensive.