(HHR, 2006, 2.2L) My alternator went bad and had to be replaced. It's time had come, that was the only identifiable reason for the bad-going. While driving, I got an indication showing the battery was not charging. The second I was lucky enough to get home, the battery finally died and the car entirely lost power and would not turn back on. I know that was to be expected. So my experienced mechanic comes out and replaces the alternator. First time I turned on the radio after that, it wasn't functioning properly, but unlike what it shows in all those vids on YT, it did NOT say "locked." The volume knob worked and indicated the volume could be turned up and down, but of course this didn't do much since there was no sound coming out of the speakers. The display went on, and showed the system was tuned to the same local radio station as always. There was a CD in the player, but it wasn't displaying the usual little icon showing there was a CD in it. The EQ, clock, and most other buttons did nothing. The stereo did not respond to the controls on the steering wheel, giving me the impression they weren't communicating at all.

All the info I could find on this only said how to reprogram or reset the radio if it said "locked". One set of instructions I found said to press the "minutes" and "hours" buttons in some particular sequence, with the only trouble being this stereo does not have any such buttons, only a small clock symbol on a button, which, when pressed, currently does nothing. The guy at the dealership said to bring it in and pay them $150 to reprogram it. They had no answer as to why it didn't say "locked" and they weren't even sure if it was locked. Not being hugely impressed they knew WTF he was talking about, I left the dealership. You know that feeling you get when you're talking to a person who knows WTF they're talking about? Well I wasn't getting that feeling. I have not yet exhaustively checked every fuse, but I don't see how a blown fuse would cause only partial functioning of the radio. After all, it *is* getting power just fine. I was unable to find the amplifier fuse since the passenger compartment fuse block diagram in the manual does not match the actual fuse block. I don't see how tha amp fuse being blown would cause the buttons to not work or the steering wheel to not communicate with the stereo.

So that's about it, any info would surely be appreciated! Thanks!

 

2002 HHR ? First year of the HHR was 2006.
Post the correct year and model of your car and then we can try and help you.

 

It’s an ‘06 per the profile page, just a typo.
and mean while back to the problem! Have you attempted a battery lobotomy, disconnect just the negative cable at the battery for a full 30 minutes.

 

Yeah, it's a 2006. That was a typo. I'll try the battery lobotomy and report back. Only reason I didn't do that was because the car was essentially unpowered overnight, but a battery lobotomy is worth another try since the battery may have had *some* juice left in it when sitting there.

 

If that battery is below 12.4 volts , static charge, then it’s toast! Time for a new battery!

 

Yes, when the alternator stops charging, continued operation will kill the battery quickly. It needs at least to be charged, it may need replacement.

A bad battery can damage the alternator, that may have been why the alternator went bad.

Auto parts stores will perform a free battery load test and charging system test. You just have to charge the battery and get the vehicle to them.

 

The battery is just fine, it's the radio that's not working. Have had the voltage tested and everything.

 

Ok, then try the lobotomy.

how were the cold cranking amps? Was this a load test or just a volt meter reading across the battery terminals?

 

Why were you unable to find the fuse? Does the car have an amp and subwoofer? Is the clock displaying? Do the warning chimes work?

 

About the battery.
Post #4 and #7 sure do contradict each other. Sounds like there's more to this story...................maybe ?