Just bought a very pristine 2009 LT today. Got home, parked her & immediately locked myself out. HOW? I have the one ignition key IN HAND that I was given & told that was the only one. WELL.....it won't open the door. I know. Call AAA in the morning. Did these have remotes or "keyless entry"? It worked great in the ignition! Any chance the ignition switch was changed accompanied by a failure to change the door cylinder? Shot in some spray lube to no avail. I can see the interior button wiggle but it sure won't go up. Any suggestions? THANKS!

 

All HHR's came new with remotes.
I doubt the ignition cylinder was changed without the door lock being done to match. (although it is possible)
Most times the door cylinder doesn't work because it is stuck from not being used over the years.. People will use the remote and never use the door lock and it gets gummed up with grime.

 

Thanks! Of course my documentation is locked inside the car. If I go to the dealership with key, vin# & my Fl. Driver's license, will I receive any help?

 

What are you wanting from the dealer ? They are not going to "give" you a remote if that's what you're thinking. Oh, a dealer will sell you one at a hefty price for it and the programming.
The previous owner(s) probably lost it or if you bought this car from a lot then I would go ask them why there wasn't a remote for the car.

 

One of our members did indeed have the same problem. Seems that before the recall folks would do it correctly (replacing both cylinders) then the recall put a new cylinder in the ignition matched to the VIN.

To repeat, ALL HHRs came with remote keyless entry, except maybe some 2006.

 

Take the vin number to the dealer or call and ask if the ignition key lock issue was replaced under the Recall.
They might be able to tell what was actually done from the work order. At least you will know.

Silverfox

 

AAA to the rescue! I was reluctant to call them because I didn't want to see somebody go into my door with a slim-jim but wanting to get in trumped every thing. I had sprayed wd-40, then brake parts cleaner into the cylinder to no avail. NO WORRY! NO SLIM-JIM! He used an inflatable bag which he slipped into the top of the door & inflated it enough to slip a pencil size wand into the door from the top. The wand had a noose on the end which slipped over the door lock button. Tightened up noose, pulled up & HOORAH I'm in the car. Now, perhaps due to the soaking I'd given it, The key does exactly what it's supposed to do. Fearing a repeat of this debacle, I've since ordered a remote & won't be locking car until it's here & programmed to do it's thing.

 

FYI. If you sprayed brake cleaner into the lock cylinder you'd better follow up with some kind of lube like graphite for locks. If you don't lube it, it's going to seize back up again in no time.

 

Guys ...
I changed the ignition cylinder under the Recall.
The set of parts included the cylinder itself, a slip ring, a pair of key blanks.
The locksmith stuck the ignition cylinder and ring instead of my old parts. I took the blank keys to the key keeper and he cut the tabs in accordance with my old keys.
Thus, I have a new ignition lock, new keys (a copy of old keys) start the car perfectly with a new ignition and open the door just as well with the old lock.

As for opening the door without a key and key fob.
Some time ago I posted a video of opening a door with a simple string. I did it myself about five times in my life. The real way.

 

I too posted a video on using the string.
Maybe this is what you posted.