My 2007 HHR just jammed its second switch....car would not turn off....not the shifter....First time it was at 20k miles and was under warranty...wonder what the dealer is going to say this time...I found an AC Delco ACDELCO Part # 20869121 cylinder at rock auto for 68 dollars anybody know whats involved with coding the key? can it be done yourself? thoughts or suggestions...

Thanks
Larry

trying to avoid large dealer cost...but who knows when I get there tomorrow they might want to do it for free...lol....

 

If you buy the lock in kit form with tumblers you can code it to your own key. The key has 10 spacings and 5 depths. The ignition uses spaces 1-8 as counted from the handle toward the tip. A 1 depth is barely a cut and a 5 depth almost reaches the center groove. When properly pinned the sidebar will be flush with the cylinder allowing it to turn. Be sure to stake the spring cover down at both ends by stamping the metal around it ( I believe this is the problem with the locks being recalled, the workers in Mexico didn't properly stake the spring cover down for Strattec).


If you can't find the lock in kit form a locksmith may be able to key it up for you. The shop I work at gets 15 dollars to pin up most automotive lock cylinders.

 

I just received a recall dated May 2012 from GM Canada. The recall number is 12045. It is for ignition lock cylinder binding, unable to turn, remove the key or shut down the engine. My HHR is an 09 LS with manual transmission and 2.0 liter engine. The recall is effective until May 31, 2014. After this date regular warranty will apply. I have never noticed this condition but my HHR has not accumulated many miles. I never attach-hang excess keys on my ignition key and use only that one lightweight key in the lock cylinder.

 

Can you provide me with an approximate date that you had the vehicle in for the first switch replacement? I am curious about this and would like to do some research about this for you.

Could you provide me with your first name, last name and the VIN? You can do this via private message if that would make you feel more comfortable.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

So, I called my dealership and asked about getting the form to get my money back.

Service Manager told me that he couldn't verify stuff that I had read on the internet (I never mentioned the internet). I would need to call Chevy Customer Care.

I called CCC and told them about it.
They put me on hold and called my dealer.
CCC comes back on the line with my dealer on 3-way and had MY DEALER invite me to stop in at the service department with my original invoice and we would fill out the request form on the spot.

Now that is how it should have went down all along.

Stopping by tomorrow.

 

Thank you for sharing this with us. I am glad you are able to get this taken care of.

Were you provided with a SR Case number? If you have, may I have that information?

Please, let me know how things went with your visit.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

I do have a case number. But it is outside in the car (at work) and I am half-way-to-nowhere from the building. I will try and shoot that to you tonight or tomorrow. Plus I will be able to tell you how my actual dealership visit goes (later today).

 

Putter, your dealer could have easily looked up your VIN in the Investigate Vehicle History site that all GM dealers have access to and it would have told him about either A) 12045 recall or B) 12089 Special Policy. Both of these cover the switch and the refund. Oh that's right it's on the internet and he doesn't believe in that.

 

I just had my 09 in for door rust repair and while it was their they replaced the igition cylinder per recall #12045. by the way i had to call the 800 number to get my doors fixed since they said chevy would not fix them because it wasn't rust through but i found somebody on the phone who was a big help and got it done for me

 

ChevyMgr....
Oddly enough, when I went in yesterday to get the process started, the guy I met with pulled the reimbursement form right up. NO hunting for it....no pecking around...he went DIRECTLY to the form. Printed it out. Had me fill in my contact information and told me he would fill in the mileage, date of service, etc...

I was told that the turn around time would be roughly 2 weeks or less (crossing fingers on THAT one)!!

After I get my refund, I may write someone to let them know how Mr. jerk-butt Service Guy gave me the stank-eye attitude and run-around.... and how Mr. Helpful helped me do my paperwork.