Hi,
2010 HHR LT - 2.2L. Last night drove home and no front low beams on either side but had high beams. Today, I changed both lights.
I did driver side first, started the car and everything fine. Did passenger side, started the car and nothing ( not cranking or clicking) andI had very few lights display on dashboard.
I took out the new headlight and put in the old light. Car did nothing but all of the dash lights seemed to reappear
I checked battery and it had 11.25 volts which I assume is bad.
I put key in ignition and it got stuck. I got the key out 30 minutes later by taking small panel out from under steering wheel.
Parking lights still on in car with no key in it.
It is cold outside in the driveway in Mass. at 6:15 PM
I assume I need a new battery as what ever was in that battery is being drained out right now

3 questions:
Why are my parking lights still on with no key in car and I turned lights off on controls?
Before buying new battery,should I call AAA ( I have AAA plus) for a jump as I cannot open my trunk but I am able to see the battery and spare tire as I tested battery?
If I get a battery, will I need to worry about putting new passenger headlight back in or could the new bulb have been bad which caused a short?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Brian

 

Dead battery will cause this kind of havoc, the computer can’t think

 

The rear liftgate can be opened from the inside without battery power.Section 2 of the owners manual has instructions for manual liftgate release. On the liftgate trim panel there are 8 "ribs" near the bottom. The fifth rib from the left is removable and inside about 3 inches is a lever you need to push rearward with a screwdriver or something similar and that will release the latch allowing the liftgate to open.

 

If you get it jump started, your local Auto Parts should be able to "Load Test" your battery & check your charging system. It is FREE

 

If you connect jumper cables to the under hood jump points you can open the liftgate. Or, a 9 volt battery with alligator clips. Or, a memory saver that plugs into the power outlet.

See the link in my sig for a Owner Manual.

 

Yes, put the new bulb back in. It didn't cause a short.

Hopefully you didn't leave the headlights on while changing the bulbs. They can drain the battery fairly quickly.

"what ever was in that battery ...." - you might want to read up on how a car battery works, or was that a typo?

 

If you left the keys in the ignition in the accessory position it will drain the battery in 60 minutes or so even with a fully charged battery.

Silverfox

 

I think they meant whatever "power" was in that battery was being drained... because the parking lights were staying on.

 

That is what I suspected as well, but one never knows these days.

I am quite surprised how many people can't diagnose a dead or dying battery.

 

How many people don't know how to use their spare for a flat tire.