Mine has failed twice in the past couple of months. By failed, pushing unlock, you can hear something in the car activating, but it doesn't unlock. Then it suddenly works, and continues to work just fine until??? Do you guys think its the fob, or something in the car? Haven't tried anything yet, changing the fob battery or anything else. Sugesstions???? As I said this has happened twice in the past couple of months, last time about a week ago, works just fine now. Should I get locked out, and have to use the key to get in, how do I disarm the alarm?

 

I split your question off into its own thread.

If you're hearing the locks trying to unlock when you use your fob, then the fobs are working, but you may have an issue with the mechanisms in the doors needing lubrication. Or you may have the odd, but occasional problem where the lock knobs are hanging up on the door panels, basically the holes are just a touch too small.

As for using the key in the door without setting off a "honkfest".....

Here's a trick to try, lock the door with the key not the power lock button, then open the door with the key....the horn should stay blissfully quiet.

If it doesn't work the first time, unlock all the doors, then lock each door manually and then lock the driver's door with the key. Then try unlocking the driver's door with the key, the horn should remain silent.

 

X2 here is a tbs the pic did not come over for some reason. You can see them by using the search box type in tsb and it is post # 96

#09-08-64-029: Drivers Front Side Door Power Lock Intermittent Operation, Binding, Sticking (Revise Front Side Door Trim Panel) - (Aug 6, 2009)


Subject: Drivers Front Side Door Power Lock Intermittent Operation, Binding, Sticking (Revise Front Side Door Trim Panel)


Models: 2009 Chevrolet HHR Built Before 08-17-2009
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Condition
Some customers may comment that the driver's front side door power lock may not function when using the key FOB or the interior mounted power lock control switch. This may be an intermittent condition and only applies to the driver's side front door. The door can be locked and unlocked using the door mounted manual lock control knob.

Cause
This condition may be caused by excessive trim panel material in the front side door lock manual control knob hole. This excess material may cause the manual lock control knob to bind and prevent power actuation of the lock.

Correction
Important: Do not replace the front side door trim panel to correct this condition.

Use the following procedure to trim the excess material from the front side door lock manual control knob hole.




Examine the lock knob hole in the front side door trim panel. Excess material should be visible on the inboard side of the hole as shown.
Remove the front side door trim panel. Refer to Front Side Door Trim Panel Replacement in SI.



Use a small round file to trim the excess material, approximately 1.0 mm (3/64 in) as shown (the trim panel in the graphic has been cut away to show the area that needs to be trimmed). Use care to not remove any material from the grained exterior surface of the trim panel.



Ensure that the lock control knob can move freely in the hole as shown.
Finish any rough edges with a fine file or fine sandpaper.
Reinstall the front side door trim panel. Ensure that the top retention fin on the trim panel is engaged in all four clips on the door. Refer to Front Side Door Trim Panel Replacement in SI.
Cycle the power lock function to verify the condition has been corrected.

 

Or you might be having the weak motor problem:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-tutorial-library-21/door-lock-assembly-fix-lots-pics-45839/

 

I'm pretty sure its not a trim issue, there seems to be lots of space around the lock knob. It hasn't failed again, the last time was in a crowded parking lot and I had arms full of stuff, so I wasn't wanting to spend much time diagnosing. Fortunately it suddenly worked, and that was about two weeks ago, and its been fine since. I know I can get in with the key, but that would probably be very noisy. I really dislike intermittent problems like this. If its going to fail, I wish it would stay broken, so I could fix it, or have it fixed.

 

To re-set the alarm just start the car. Could be: fob battery, lock motor, tired fob, dirty fob, fob battery cage, car battery, RCDLR and probably ten other things. You didn't say if this is only the driver door or the "all" also.

 

I believe, but not positive, it was all doors, but will have to look closer when and if it fails again. Good to know starting the car will reset the alarm, thanks.