I have a 2009 HHR with about 130,000 miles (my 2nd HHR, 1st went to 240k w/ no issues at all). I have started stalling out occasionally at long lights or when idling in Park gear. Starts right back up. I have noticed diminished power when taking off from a stop as well.

I took it to a garage who confirmed my dad's code of P0010, said it was cam sensor, but they said they had trouble with past ones replacing and that not helping, so suggested my Chevy dealer to avoid headaches. The service manager was apparently so overwhelmed with recall work that he couldn't hook it up to even check the codes and wanted to make an appointment to even diagnose and order parts. Rubbed me the wrong way, so I started searching.

I found your forum, and am wondering if I should start by getting the proper Solenoid as suggested in other threads and take to my regular garage and have them try that. I don't want to give more $$ to the dealer after the attitude his service personnel had (much too busy to help), I would rather pay the independent garage that has always treated me well and always had time.

2nd question- is this just an annoying thing at stops, or do I need to worry about it stalling while I am driving, making it a safety issue as well?

Travelling this weekend and wondering if I should rent a car instead of taking the one I have loved until a couple of weeks ago.

Guidance would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

Can't answer on any of the P0010, but, if you are concerned if there may be a chance of it stalling out while travelling, I would rather be safe than sorry. Highways are nuts anymore, texters while driving, and high speeds.. Rent a car that will be safer and more reliable.

Best of luck with your repairs!

 

After a quick search of the P0010 code , it does pertain to the cam control solenoid for the intake cam. I would check the wire connectors, replace the faulty part, clear the codes with a battery negative disconnect, as many threads have advised before.
Check the oil level also it can cause issues with the cam solenoids.

 

One more time: the P0010 code refers to the Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid Control Circuit. Translation = Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid - not the sensor.

Possible Causes:

- dirty oil contaminating the solenoid
- low engine oil level
- faulty Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid
- wiring problem with the Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid
- faulty ECM (very very rare)

Here is a how-to on replacing the faulty part (easy job) - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...13-14-a-28779/

 

Re: "I took it to a garage who confirmed my dad's code of P0010, said it was cam sensor, but they said they had trouble with past ones replacing and that not helping," - exactly what I am saying above - they replaced the wrong part.

Even the auto parts stores were recommending the sensors be replaced rather than the solenoids when they mis-read their code readers results.

 

I'm out good day!

 

Seriously?

JHC - Oldblue - NO you did not "set me off" - I was just pointing out a correction - no big deal!!!!

Just what the should I have posted instead? If you took offence, sorry I can't help with that.

Rant off - sorry that just ticked me off seriously that someone would take that the wrong way.

 

I didn't have time to post the very same thing this morning, whopper.

I had a really busy day and missed out on fun.

I was delivering oil and a cam sensor to a DA mechanic last month that searched the internet and swore that "it told him" that the oil was the problem, so he was changing the oil and filter with 10W40 AND the sensor instead of anything else. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed up whopper's fine post on the subject and VOILA that HHR never came back. That saved his job for another week.

 

Thank you guys, I appreciate the help & advice. I'm gonna try the solenoid at my tried and true garage-- if only the local dealer wasn't too busy making $$ earning recall $$ and had time to help with legit service issues. If it works, I may remain a Chevy Girl after all, I was getting ready to turn to foreign cars. Thank you!!!

 

Can you change the air filter? Can you use a screw driver?

If you can; SEARCH "p0010" and follow whopper's fine tutorial on replacing it yourself for free!