I pulled into the gas station, filled up with gas. Started the car and immediately it shows POWER STEERING on the DIC. Sure enough, I do not have power steering anymore. I have never jump started anyone. I removed and tested the big yellow 60A fuse #1, it is good. I checked the connection of the red wire at the top back of the fuse box it is good. Do I have a bad power steering motor?

I have been smelling something burning for a couple weeks, crawled under the car and saw some melted plastic on the exhaust pipe about middle of the car, was gonna clean that off next time I get time, maybe the smell was not that wad of plastic?

 

Take it to a GM dealer. Ask them about the power steering motor extended warranty coverage.

 

X2 on the extended warranty.... Don't use the word "recall"

 

 

I took it to the dealer and they said that my 2008 with 83K miles is covered. They replaced the power steering motor, but the problem still exists. The dealer says it is the steering column and elctronics .. blah blah $1400. Before I go thru the trouble of finding another steering column at a junkyard, has anyone even heard of this? It just dont seem to make sense, but I have not tore a HHR steering column apart either.

 

 

Yes, they should have tested before they replaced the motor. There was another thing about that somewhere; there are codes in the computer that a Tech2 can read.

The column is "serviced as an assembly". A smart person would send a PM to Hellshotrod for a good deal on a used part.

 

 

I did not pull codes before taking to the dealer, I had just assumed that this would be a real easy open and shut case. When I picked up the car, I asked the service rep if there were any codes set. She said yes, there were two codes, one pertaining to the power steering. She did not write them down. I stopped off at autozone on the way home and they checked for codes and said that there were none. I only have the words "POWER STEERING" on the dash and no power steering. I will need to do a little more investigating before I get too serious about swapping out a steering column. I did call one local junkyard and he said $80 for the column. A mechanic friend of mine told me to replace the power steering assist motor again.

 

Did you read my reply?

THEY should have read the codes with a Tech2.

Hellshorod has a bunch of HHR in his lot, he probably will give you a better deal.

If they replaced the motor, why assume it is bad? It should be under warranty anyway.

The unknown codes would tell what is wrong. If there is a message there are codes.

Why did you accept the repair?