Well I had a unique problem today. So I thought until I came here.

Got home today and could not turn off my HHR. I felt like an idiot because its something you do without thinking and I sat there for 5 minutes trying to figure out what the trick is. "Am I having a mind-lapse and Im just not doing the thing I usually do to get this out".

Ended up driving over to the dealership and leaving my RUNNING car with them.

It seems the people who have had the problem are earlier models with an automatic. I have a 2010 HHR SS with a 5spd.

What kind of repair should I be seeing the dealership do here other than just turning the car off and releasing the key for me?

 

Sounds like you'll need a new ignition tumbler assembly.

 

You have a failed ignition lock cylinder, it will have to be replaced, expect the bill to be around $300 when everything is said and done unless your still under warranty. This happens on HHR's, its a known issue, and those of us who've had it happen, kind of wear it like a morbid badge of honor.(two out of my three)

The good news is, that once its fixed, it doesn't happen again.

Let us know how you make out if you can.

 

i currently work for an extended warranty company & have done MANY repair claim on the Cobalt for failed ignition lock cylinders. for some reason, after 10 years here at the warranty company, i've only autho 4 ign. lock cyl's on the HHR. so, yeah, you need a new ign lock cyl. will covered by the factory warranty as long as you have less then 36,000 miles.
the cost of the part is $120 & 1.5 hours of labor.

 

Got the car back the next day. They replaced the ignition lock cylinder. Good to know this may never happen again.

I guess I was lucky it happened in my own driveway. I can just imagine if I just got to work or was out on a trip some place.

Thanks for everyones imput.

 

Mine started as I turned the HHR off in the driveway one night. Got the key out, made an appointment the next day, and yes I had to leave the HHR running at the dealer before it was brought into the bays. I got lucky and it happened at about 34,400 miles so it was covered. The mechanic said as he took it out it sorta exploded into pieces and disintegrated.