Hello,

To start, I am no mechanic in any way or sort. I am a single mother and acquired this car for very cheap. I now have what I might think is a problem I can't afford to fix.


2006 HHR LT 2.4 auto


Today's problem, crank no start.


The beginning of my ownership about Feb 2020:

Small tweaks needed but engine ran fine seemed. CEL would intermittently come on but then go away. Temp gauge would sometimes stick. Sometimes when trying to shift from park it would stick and not shift when shifter moved. Just would have to put back to park and try again.


Then it started.

Brakes, Bearings... No biggie

Then car started feeling like it was having trouble shifting, very sluggish and now rattly noises and check engine light stayed on. Had it checked for codes and ...

P0014, P0128, P0300, P0011, P1174.


So I had a friend who is kinda mechanically inclined and does some work on cars take a look and he said according to codes and research blah blah so let's start here they are cheap. We replaced the cam shaft position sensor and solenoid. CEL went away and car seemed to be running better.

Until,.... The rattling came back worse, way worse and sluggishness. And a new light came on

check charging system and one night lights flickering. So I had a skilled mechanic friend take a look and he said the timing chain was going but alternator tested fine due to the system message charging to get it done fast or risk very severe damage. So in the mean time I ordered parts and then it happened. It wouldn't start. I tried to get jump start. Not happening. Checked battery and it was only 11.2. So bought battery. Sounded better cranking but would not start. I looked around on here tried replacing that fuse in back by battery. But nothing. So a friend listened when I cranked it and he said it sounds like that chain might have went.

Which leads me to here. I don't know for sure if that's what did it. The skilled mechanic who looked in the first place said he would do the job but now he says no it's not worth it anymore cause the trannys shot now. Which confuses me cause this was never mentioned. Catch... He's got car for sale ... Offered it to me.


So anyone have any insight ... Could it be something simple I'm missing or did the chain go and that's for sure, could it be transmission, maybe a fuse.... Fuel pump I hear... I just bought battery now and brand new tires would rather not junk it.



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Welcome to the site, did you replace the timing chain?
what thermostat was installed, AC Delco 131-158 is the only one that opens in sync with the computers expectations, that would be the P0128 code.
is that P0014 code still showing? That and the P0011 are timing chain related, a stretched chain is going to throw the camshafts timing off.
P1174 is injector related and could be a result of the timing chain issues

 

I don't know about the transmission. Could be the timing chain. The hard shifting might have been a result of the codes. P0128 means you have a bad thermostat. This is the internet, so the diagnoses is probably "cancer for sure".

You are going to need a good mechanic look at it. Not much you can do with no experience.

 

No I ordered the parts online Wednesday night. Thursday morning was when this issue happened. Wednesday night it was driven and didn't have anything happen out of the ordinary well for recent ordinary. It's been getting louder with the rattling but that's it. The only thing throwing me off is that night I was driving and that check charging system came on and my headlights and dash lights were flickering after driving about 10 min. This issue happened only other time when I had the AC going (which only works intermittently) that's why we checked the alternator.
I don't know if that can happen from the timing chain which logically in my mind doesn't seem related especially when we tested the alternator the battery was fine a week before. Also the oldbattery was hooked up and went from 11.2 to 5.3 overnight. Which is why the new battery. But I'm not sure if my friend tried starting a bunch of times when I was in my place.
I guess I would understand the mechanics stance on not wanting to do it without looking if I said I was driving it and the valves blew or whatever. Lol. But it was just sitting.

Also there is no codes showing right now. I had to replace a fuse that must have blown for the lighter and that to see. But no code show up. This is a cheapy code reader though from Walmart not the spendy one used before.
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The P0128 code will disable the A/C , I strongly suggest you stop trying to start it and or drive it, as the timing chain can damage the engine beyond repair.

Please list what parts you have ordered.

 

Cloyes 94201SAWP. That mechanic told me to get the kit including the water pump because at my mileage if they are going in to do the timing chain then to do that as well.

 

My problem lies now with this being replaced. I had him say he would do it for $200 labor as a deal to me because of a mutual friend. Now he's telling me it's not worth the hassle cause the transmission is shot. I have no clue how he came to that conclusion but I guess I don't want to pay a bunch in labor to someone to do the timing when I need a transmission on top of it. Is it possible he knows this ?

 

I have never had or heard of this transmission problem he speaks of, now bear in mind I’m hundreds of miles from the HHR . None of the codes you posted indicate a transmission problem.
The kit you ordered will take care of the timing chain related issues.
Why not tell him to do that work for the price he agreed to .
Seems to me , he wants to unload that other used car on you.

 

What is the mileage on this car ?

 

The shifter being stuck in park is likely a result of the weak battery.

The sluggishness and difficulty shifting is why he thinks the transmission is shot.

You continued driving it after being warned that the timing chain was near failing, which may have caused catastrophic damage to the engine.

Have your mechanically inclined friend remove the valve cover and see if the timing chain and/or guides have failed.

Agree with oldblue, do not crank the engine again!