I guess I'm at a loss for an explanation, then. Sorry !!

 

Okay. Time for the essay that is the final stage of this key fob business.
We went to the dealer today, and I told him the story. They took the car, and the three fobs I had. One original worn, and two new ones off ebay. I got a call a hour later saying that the ones off ebay had different circuitry inside and were not genuine gm. They reprogrammed them, but would not do it again if they should lose their memory again. Also they said that my original one that came with the car was dead.
That made me mad cause we have only had the car for 3 months. I had him transfer me to the sales manager and told him the story and he agreed to give me a 50% off a new genuine gm fob. (at this point I am not trusting the apparent aftermarket ones off ebay)
So I wait for them to program the new gm fob, which cost me 45 bucks plus 38 for programming and then was given all 4 fobs back. They put tape on the back of the ebay ones so I would not mix them up. I confirm at the dealer that the ebay ones and the brand new gm one work, and go home. When I get there, I just for a lark try the old original one that is supposedly dead.....and it too works...?!!?
Needless to say I was annoyed.
This ordeal consumed most of a nice sunny Saturday.
I guess having a new genuine gm fob including programming for 95 bucks is not too bad.....but now the ebay ones are relegated to backup ones....that is if they even work in a month or so.......
I'm gonna fire off an email to the dealer to see what they say......but even if they replace them, I am off to the dealer again on a Saturday to pay another 41 bucks to program them......at this point...I can't be bothered....
....especially if the original worn one still works now.....
sigh.

 

Just a note about programming key fobs. Actually according to the remote manufacturer the fob is not p-rogramed to the car but the other way around. The car "learns" the new fobs. The HHR can have up to 8 fobs learned.

 

You just wasted a bunch of money friend. Its not the fobs, it's the car. This symptom is showing up everywhere now. My car started doing it a week ago. You think it's the fobs, but next time one dies try locking the car with the power lock button inside the car. First time you press it the chime will ding(if the door is open), and then the second time you press it will finally lock. This is definitely either a computer or wiring issue. BTW they didn't fix anything, it fixed itself. The problem is intermittent.

 

Correct about just what learns what. However, I believe the maximum FOBs is four according to the 2009 FSM.

I've been suspecting the aftermarket FOBs were different. In the pictures on ebay and Amazon one can see the lock open & closed buttons are not sculptured as the OEM FOBs are. The lock button is recessed, while the unlocked button is raised on the OEM.

 

just for a little more info. I have a 2007 HHR and the remote is #15114374 and has the start button. The only trouble I had is needing to glue tinfoil on the buttons, works fine, and soldering the battery contact.