HHR 2010 2.2 miles unknown new to me engine was told 120k. My son is now driving this car full time so I don't have first hand experience with the over heating but here is what I have gotten out of him.


So the car has just started running hotter than normal and has 3 times has "gotten hot" while in drive thru but cools off after you get driving again. It has also flashed Cooling Mode 2 times on him. Last night I checked the coolant and it a little low but less than half a gallon. Did have him crank the car and the fan isn't coming on at all even with the AC turned on, this sounds to me like the fan is bad. But if the fan kicks on in cooling mode maybe it isn't the fan but a relay gone out. Not I haven't been able to check the fan when in cooling mode.

he text me a bit ago it got hot again so thinking the fan needs to be replaced tonight but for $75 would be nice to be sure. I guess I could swap the relay with a different on in the box and if it is the relay what would move the problem. Anyone got any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

First look at fan blades , are they still there? Then swap relays, test , then order new fan

 

I did check the blades last night they looked fine, I turned the fan by hand to see if it was stuck or binding but it turned pretty easy.

I will swap some relays tonight I feel sure there has to be one I can swap around.

Thanks

 

How about checking the fuse? #40 underhood.

 

When was the coolant changed last? For your 2010, it should be ready for second change, 50/50 Dexcool and burp the system, any trapped air will cause this problem!

 

Checked the fan fuse #40, and swapped the relay didn't make any difference. So going to pickup a fan today and plan on putting it on tonight after work.

The coolant was changes in Sept last year when I swapped the engine out. I did think about a air bubble but with the fan not coming on at all that feels like the most likely place to start.

 

Agreed, you do know about our RockAuto discount?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...+assembly,2181

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/www....ad.php?t=61707

Just so you know all your options.

 

You lost me on buying a new fan. 1st posts says the fan works in cooling mode. If it works in that mode then I doubt replacing a working fan is going to help.
You have a wiring/connection issue.

 

He was guessing that the fan came on in cooling mode. Probably just the air moving through the radiator that cooled it down.

Almost 1/2 gallon is more than a little low.

From the manual
COOLING MODE ON
This message may display on some vehicles. Under
severe conditions, hot ambient temperatures, steep
grades, and towing, your vehicle may experience more transmission shifting. This is temporary and normal under these conditions. This does not require engine or transmission service.

So what temperature was reached?

 

If your DIC displayed "cooling mode " you better be checking things like head gasket, valves, bearings etc. That means EXTREME overheating.
Replace the Dexcool, it has been trashed.