I hope you can find the oil dipstick.

Wait a minute. You bought a 2009 HHR last week, but you joined this site in 2009 (the day before I did) and have posted 20 times? And still can't find the search tool, or the air filter.

H'mmmmm

 

I've had original GM stats go weak after 5 years and open at 190 degrees or late and the valve gasket was fine, and I've had the gasket fail and hold the valve open and not heat up which would be similar to opening early

 

Sounds like you should be able to drive it to the dealer or other trusted shop. If you are not that mechanically handy, you will likely find it too frustrating to try and swap out the thermostat yourself. It also involves draining and refilling the anti-freeze which can have issues in itself.

FYI: if the Check Engine Light (CEL) lights up with the gauges flat-lined, as long as the light is on STEADY it is most likely safe enough to drive - if the light is FLASHING it MUST be towed. I drove mine with the gauges flat-lined at times with the CEL light solid off and on for a couple weeks without problems until I could get the thermostat replaced.

 

I Drove the car home with no problems.

It is indeed showing a P0128 code which I cleared, it now seems to be running properly although cold. It will only seem to get up to 60 deg c, about 140 deg F Of course everything is closed for New Years

Sorry donbrew guess I'm just not as smart as you.

 

Just this afternoon I found my head with one hand. AND put p0128 into the Search box. AND checked my oil. AND looked at my air filter. AND noted that my HHR is a 2011LT that I bought 2 years ago. Used all of my smart up, hope I can find my head tomorrow gotta shave AND comb my hair.

This has been your regularly scheduled dose of sarcasm.

Still have not addressed irregularities that I noted. No relative intelligence was implied nor inferred, where did that comment come from?

Turning the Check Engine Light off does not fix anything!!!!!! It will return over and over until you fix the t-stat, and/or temp sender.

 

Yeah, it will come and go depending on how long it takes to warm up - I used to entertain myself watching the digital temp display as it warmed up and blanked out. I'm easily amused. :)

If you drive it for a half hour or so (with the displays blank), then park it for half an hour, it likely will turn the gauges back on when you start it back up and drive for a bit. If the CEL is lit, it sometimes will clear all by itself - but not always.