Diagnosing a car that won’t start can be a frustrating experience for any car owner. When your 2008 Chevy HHR refuses to crank or start, understanding the potential causes and knowing how to diagnose them is crucial. This guide walks you through a systematic approach to troubleshooting a no-start condition in your 2008 HHR, focusing on identifying potential noise-related clues or the absence thereof to pinpoint the problem.
First, begin with the basics. A healthy battery is the heart of your car’s electrical system. In the case of a no-start scenario, especially with a 2008 HHR, the battery should be the first suspect. Test the battery to ensure it holds a proper charge. If the battery tests good, ensure it’s fully charged before proceeding. Clean battery terminals and secure connections are also vital for proper electrical flow. Inspect the battery ground terminal connected to the chassis for any corrosion or looseness.
Next, delve into the starter system. Locate the 30A crank fuse in your HHR’s fuse box and check for continuity. A blown fuse will prevent the starter from receiving power. Similarly, the crank relay plays a critical role in engaging the starter motor. Test the relay or swap it with a known good relay of the same part number to rule out relay failure. Inspect the power posts near the engine fuse box, ensuring they are tightly secured, as these connections are essential for distributing power to the starter and other components.
If these initial checks don’t resolve the no-start issue, the starter motor itself might be the culprit. Replacing the starter is a common step in no-start diagnoses. Ensure all connections to the new starter are clean and tight. Cleaning the terminal heads with a wire brush before re-connection is a good practice to eliminate any hidden corrosion. If replacing the starter doesn’t solve the problem, move on to the ignition system.
The ignition switch is another potential point of failure in a no-start condition. Replacing the ignition switch can sometimes resolve the issue, especially if there are electrical inconsistencies within the switch itself. Attempting to start the car in neutral can also help diagnose problems related to the park/neutral position switch, although this was also tried without success in this case.
One significant symptom mentioned is that “When the key is turned to start the vehicle, the headlights go out (or very dim… All the lights in the dash go out while the key is held to the start position)”. This indicates a significant voltage drop when attempting to start, suggesting a high current draw somewhere in the system, likely pointing towards the starter circuit or a major short. The absence of a clicking noise when turning the key to the start position is also a crucial diagnostic clue. A clicking noise usually indicates that the starter solenoid is engaging but the motor is not turning, often due to a bad starter motor itself or low battery voltage. No clicking noise could suggest a problem before the starter motor, such as in the relay, fuse, ignition switch, or wiring leading to the starter.
Given these symptoms and troubleshooting steps already taken, further diagnosis should focus on the wiring and control circuits of the starter system. Reviewing the wiring schematic for the starter system is essential.
Possible next steps in diagnosis include:
- Voltage Drop Testing: Perform voltage drop tests along the starter circuit to identify points of excessive resistance. This can pinpoint corroded wires, loose connections, or internal wiring issues.
- Starter Signal Wire Check: Verify if the starter solenoid is receiving a signal from the ignition switch when the key is turned to the start position. A test light or multimeter can be used for this.
- Ground Circuit Inspection: Double-check all ground connections, not just at the battery, but also engine and chassis grounds, as poor grounds can cause significant electrical problems.
- PCM/BCM Involvement: While less common for a no-crank issue, in modern vehicles, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Body Control Module (BCM) can be involved in the starting process. Diagnostic scanning tools might be needed to check for any relevant fault codes or communication issues.
In conclusion, diagnosing a no-start condition in a 2008 HHR requires a systematic approach, starting with basic checks and progressing to more detailed electrical system analysis. The absence of typical starter noises, combined with the observed voltage drop, points towards a fault in the starter circuit or related electrical components. By methodically testing each component and circuit, and utilizing wiring schematics, you can effectively diagnose and resolve the no-start issue in your 2008 HHR.
