Resetting the computer would work temporarily for me but it kept getting worse to the point I carried me OBD reader in the car with me along with my laptop (I was using a USB interface to access the car's computer). I think the loose connection is so slight for most that small changes like a new battery, BCM reset, or wire movement solves the problem for a while. I feel lucky that the problem has not recurred but I am certain it will come back someday.

 

My 2006 HHR had been acting up with the wacky gauges and the clicking of the shifter. I would have to turn the lights on when this happened because the parking lights would flicker and people thought I was trying to pull them over. lol I had to turn them on one day and when I got to my destination I forgot to turn them off. We had to jump start the car to leave. Ever since then the car has not messed up once but now I have no power steering. Not sure which one is the worse of two evils. Tried the fuse but that did not work. Do not have the $ to tie up in having it checked out.

I do believe the need a recall on the other problem. It is a hazard.

 

Your power steering is probably inoperative due to the jumpstart not being done properly as per the owners manual. If you hook up to the wrong connection, it will blow the poweer steering fuse. Replace the fuse and it should be just fine.

 

I had a focus that would do stuff like this (gauges pegging and so forth) when the alternator was failing.

 

Spoke to GM service complaint department today. Dropping off car into dealer tomorrow. This is the third time. Checked, the following myself. Fuse box, under fuse box, all five wiring harness connection blocks, traced all wiring harnesses back to fire wall nothing broker, rubbing, etc. Reset computer, same problems comes back in few hours to a few days later.

When gagues are flat I cannot start the car. I can bang on the side of the center counsol and if the gauges jump up and stay on, I can turn the key and the car starts. Then I use my meter to erase the codes and the car runs fine for a few hours to a few days.

Hell of a way to drive a car. When the gauges and computer is reset, the five modules test OK at the dealer. So far I've spent 3k at the dealer to have them tell me they don't know. I discovered the above on my own. This time I *****ed to Chevy and they set the appointment and gave me a complaint file number. So we'll see if that makes a defference in getting this fixed or not. I love the car. I bought it new from this same dealer, and had the same machanic work on it each time I had anything done on it. Now I am feeling they are just trying to get me to buy a new car instead of messing with this one.

Bummer...

 

Spoke to GM service complaint department today. Dropping off car into dealer tomorrow. This is the third time. Checked, the following myself. Fuse box, under fuse box, all five wiring harness connection blocks, traced all wiring harnesses back to fire wall nothing broker, rubbing, etc. Reset computer, same problems comes back in few hours to a few days later.

When gagues are flat I cannot start the car. I can bang on the side of the center counsol and if the gauges jump up and stay on, I can turn the key and the car starts. Then I use my meter to erase the codes and the car runs fine for a few hours to a few days.

Hell of a way to drive a car. When the gauges and computer is reset, the five modules test OK at the dealer. So far I've spent 3k at the dealer to have them tell me they don't know. I discovered the above on my own. This time I *****ed to Chevy and they set the appointment and gave me a complaint file number. So we'll see if that makes a defference in getting this fixed or not. I love the car. I bought it new from this same dealer, and had the same machanic work on it each time I had anything done on it. Now I am feeling they are just trying to get me to buy a new car instead of messing with this one.

Bummer...

 

I posted in this thread earlier this year when I was having this problem in the cold midwest weather. I didn't have the problem at all this summer but of course at the first sign of cold weather it started happening again, the only difference is that it is happening every day instead of intermittently like it was.

I was able to get it to the dealer while it was having the problem and they traced the signal loss to the EBCM. They checked the connection and there was some corrosion there so they applied dielectric grease and the problem ceased for a couple days.

It's happening again and in full force so I'm going to disconnect the EBCM and see if it happens in the morning. I will try this for a few days and if I don't have any problems, I will replace the EBCM.

Corrosion would explain a few things: First, when the connection started to get corroded, the crazy gauges/loss of power steering/hard shifting, etc...would only happen once a week, once corrosion builds, the problem happens more often (now every day for me). Second, I was baffled at why this only happened in cold weather and now that corrosion seems to be the issue, it's starting to make sense.

I'm not sure that it could be a corroded EBCM connection for everybody, but I will report back if it is the fix for me.

****NOTE: I am NOT recommending that anybody disconnect an EBCM and drive around as a way of diagnosing or fixing the problem.