Time to replace starter 07 HHR 2.4L?
01-21-2021 | 11:23 AM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: 04-07-2008
Posts: 1,051
From: Wisconsin
Buy one. They are not that expensive. But if you'd rather throw money at it instead? A failed one year old battery is not unheard of.
01-21-2021 | 12:55 PM
#42
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 25,339
From: Fredericksburg,VA
Hi same problem here, hhr 2007 2.4L with 200k+ miles. I did not have much hints that it was going to happen, was a bit surprising, went to my mail box, stopped the car took the key to the mail return back to the vehicule and nada, the HHR simply did not even want to try to start, no click, no nothing except the dash board lights. I never experienced any starter noises. We tried to hit the starter which was seemingly, totally, unresponsive. I don't know much about it but the other person told me he did not see the inside part of the starter even try to engage with a movement, if that can help understand. He suspect that the starter itself might not be the problem. Do I have to get the HHR to my nearest garage and pay the high bill or should I just try to replace the starter? Thanks.
*Also I did not have any codes at the time of the starter fail, except a camshaft position code that did disappear by itself (maybe the camshaft solenoid is just a little dirty) - the check engine and TC light all went off. The car was running smoothly without any problems.
*Also I did not have any codes at the time of the starter fail, except a camshaft position code that did disappear by itself (maybe the camshaft solenoid is just a little dirty) - the check engine and TC light all went off. The car was running smoothly without any problems.
01-24-2021 | 09:02 AM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: 05-24-2019
Posts: 241
From: next to my neighbor
Good news. It was a pain in the A to reach the upper bolt but I was able to remove the old starter and install the new one and the car starts. I first disconnected the negative then the positive from the battery, and then I proceed to remove the starter from underneath the car. I did not see any way to reach the starter from the hood. Finally I connected the positive then the negative. I still have the upper bolt of the starter to install (only one bolt have been screwed in place so far). I don't know if I will be able to install the final bolt. Any idea how to do it or can I just leave it that way? I tried for an hour to screw the final upper bolt, it's difficult when I don't see the hole. Just to be able to remove that final bolt almost felt like a miracle. Can't see nothing and the space to rotate the wrench is about 1-2 clicks.
01-24-2021 | 09:23 AM
#46
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 37,828
From: Welland,Ont Canada
It is recommended to install the top bolt first
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...ng-unit-57962/
you need to disconnect the negative terminal at the battery again. An extension for the socket is a big help.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...ng-unit-57962/
you need to disconnect the negative terminal at the battery again. An extension for the socket is a big help.
01-24-2021 | 10:59 AM
#48
Senior Member
Joined: 05-24-2019
Posts: 241
From: next to my neighbor
Yeah, I hope next time something is about to fail the car will send me information first. With that being said, what else could break without any warning signs and causes the car to completely fail to get its passengers from point A to point B ? I could make a preventive repair. I don't want to be stuck in that situation again. Maybe replacing all the fuses?
01-24-2021 | 11:17 AM
#49
Moderator
Joined: 05-01-2014
Posts: 8,173
From: California
Go get some better tools. A wrench isn't the right tool for every situation. If you had a ratchet and an assortment of extensions, you could probably get to a spot in the engine compartment where you can get more than one or two clicks. Also maybe a universal joint or wobble sockets.
Like oldblue said, remove the negative terminal from the battery again, and try again. Maybe loosening the lower bolt will allow the upper bolt holes to be aligned.
Like oldblue said, remove the negative terminal from the battery again, and try again. Maybe loosening the lower bolt will allow the upper bolt holes to be aligned.
01-25-2021 | 02:06 PM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: 05-24-2019
Posts: 241
From: next to my neighbor
I did mean ratchet, not wrench. I was able to install the top bolt first following the link sent by Oldblue. All good now. Whew... that was one of the hardest repair I performed so far. The cold weather did not help. Time to go drive that baby now.