Sorry if this has been discussed before. I searched through 3 pages and didn't see any topic of this, so I decided to make a thread.

I purchased my 2006 HHR from a private seller on Feb 18th, 2013. On March 4th, 2013 I went to drive my car and as I pulled out of my driveway it showed "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" and completely shut down. I started car up and drove one block and it again said "EPR" and shut down. I called AAA and had it towed to dealership and they said the codes were P2175 and P2176 which corresponded with Throttle Body. They replaced the TB and everything seemed to be fine.

On April 1st, 2013 I was sitting idle in a parking lot waiting for a friend to meet me for dinner. Car was on but I was in park. After about 25 minutes of sitting idle the computer popped up "EPR" again. I turned off car and restarted it. This time there was no message but Check Engine Light was now on. After dinner when going to leave my car started fine and the CEL was not on. Drove to store to shop with no problem. After shopping started car and the CEL was on, but no message displayed. Next day started car to go to work and no CEL or messages. Thought it may have reset itself. Next 2 days drove fine with no CEL or messages being displayed.

On April 4th, 2013 I go to drive to work and car would not start. After 3rd turn of key it started but then displayed "EPR" and shut off. It was still in Park in my driveway. Turned key again and same thing. Called AAA to have towed to dealership. Turned key again and CEL was on but no message. Car stayed idle and running in my driveway for the 15minutes it took for AAA to arrive. Called dealership to let them know it was being towed and that it turned off twice, but on 3rd time it ran like normal but that time with the CEL on. Mechanic at dealership called me mid-afternoon and told me that it never showed CEL or any messages when he started it and he tried every 10 minutes for 2 hours.

I've read through a few forums just by googling "Engine Power Reduce Chevy HHR" all of them show that this is a common issue. However, I haven't read anything that talks about the Throttle Body like what was replaced the first time in the shop. Or any of them that offer and assistance as to what causes this issue.

It's so strange to me that it will show EPR and CEL one day, then be perfectly fine just hours later. Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated!

 

First welcome to the group. The gear heads will help you out soon,But I bet the last owner had the same issues , did they do anything to try and repair? if so find out what and give info to the dealer. I did find a few threads, that others have posted! I am no gear head but hope this helps alittle

Rich

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...e+Power+Reduce

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...e+Power+Reduce

Not repaired but what they did
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...e+Power+Reduce

 

I had this issue after an accident.

There is a small plastic tube up front under the air intake tube.

Mine was cracked off but, did the same thing as you discussed. I simply super glued it back on. Never had an issue again.