Well, it has been a while since I have had a delimma with the HHR, but here it is.....
I was starting to have a sluggish start, taking a few seconds to turn over. This went on for a couple of days.
Thinking it was the battery I gave it a charge.
But no luck.
It then turned into nothing but a single click.
I purchased a new battery since the one in it was over 4 years old, hoping it would solve the problem.
Fully charged and still nothing.
Before it reduced to just the single click I now get, I was getting a little whirring or whining sound,with the click.
Checked the relays, swapped some around, and still no change.
While waiting for the battery to charge, I also cleaned the MAF and the throttle (boy it was pretty cruddy around that butterfly!)
Today my beautiful assistant was out helping to pinpoint where the click was coming from and we believe it is coming from the starter.
Before I go and replace the starter is there anything else I should look into or try?
Oh, and there were no codes....
Does whacking the starter with a hammer really fix it? :-)
I did search through a lot of threads but didn't find much help...
Thanks!!
Steve
2009 2lt 2.4L

 

Sounds like a starter to me.

 

Thanks, Lonwane! Should I take a hammer to it?

 

No hammer, and before you buy a new starter, tighten the 4 , 7 mm bolts in the under hood fuse box. Real tight!

 

Gazillions of starters are replaced pointlessly. First prove it’s the starter.

 

OldBlue! Yes I saw you recommending that in one of the threads, I was going to do that today, the fuse box does seem wobbly too!!!

 

Pulpfriction... yes, I want to make sure it is the starter before climbing under and ripping it out, which is why I was asking for advice :-)

 

I forgot to mention, not sure it helps... the engine light is also on when trying to start..... again no codes tho

 

by the way, it is amazing how clean your engine bay is Oldblue! Mine has been grungy since I got it!!! Inside the fuse box is clean but surrounding it, not so much! You are an inspiration!!

 

Thanks but that’s not my engine bay, it’s a photo from the internet.