Coley
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04-12-23 04:54 PM - Post#2856752
I just bought a 2006 HHR with 229,265 miles on it. The truck it replaces is a 1992 GMC Sierra with 335,000 miles on it. I don't buy used Chevy or Gmc without having 100,000 miles on them.
The HHR has a steering problem that comes in at around 10 mph. The code shows that it needs a steering column, but I don't think so. If the steering works very well on idle or up to 10 mph, what is shutting off the assist motor? The previous owner put in a new motor and didn't help.
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 Shepherd
Valued Contributor
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Loc: Lake George, NY
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04-12-23 05:40 PM - Post#2856755
In response to Coley
Post the exact code for more accurate advice.
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Coley
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04-12-23 06:03 PM - Post#2856756
In response to Shepherd
I just got my code reader today and haven't had a chance to check it out. The shop that checked it for me next door just said all any of them need is the column. Doesn't seem right to me. I am 80 years old, but have worked on my own vehicles since I was 14. Will try it out tomorrow. I think the PSCM is the problem, but can't seem to find them sold alone.
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Shepherd
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04-13-23 04:20 AM - Post#2856765
In response to Coley
There really is no code for the column itself, maybe the air bag, or the steering angle sensor, that affects the steering assist.
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Coley
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04-13-23 09:29 AM - Post#2856778
In response to Shepherd
I could not find a code for the steering column either. It seems to me that the PSCM is the problem. I checked the 60 amp fuse and it is ok. I am going to get another 60 amp and put a feedwire from it to my test light to see if the power is lost to the fuse above 8 mph. The rest of the column should be ok. The axle shaft speed sensor is good because the speedo works fine. Steering assist also goes out faster in reverse.
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Shepherd
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04-13-23 11:47 AM - Post#2856784
In response to Coley
Still sounds like the steering angle sensor on the bottom of the column. Again, with the right scanner you would see an applicable code.
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Coley
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 05-04-23 09:15 AM - Post#2857576
In response to Shepherd
I put the first 1000 miles on it and it is great. I am trying to find a motor controller by itself, but every yard wants me to buy a column. Want a controller that I can take apart to see how it works. My column is fine up to 20 mph on some days. Then there is a click and it is gone. Gotta be a power feed failing. Motor is fine ,angle sensor is fine, torque sensor is fine. Fuses all show good. Not going to spend $803.00 at a Chevy garage for a quote on a repair part (column).
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Edited by Coley on 05-04-23 09:17 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Shepherd
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05-04-23 03:11 PM - Post#2857583
In response to Coley
How do you know the angle sensor is feeding accurate info back to the bcm?
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Coley
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05-04-23 05:31 PM - Post#2857585
In response to Shepherd
because it will steer perfectly until you hit up to 20 mph. If it was not reading correctly, it would not steer that well at all. As I have found out the system is to back off on the assist above a certain speed as you don't need it for straight highway driving. Then it is to kick in, as needed, to negotiate street corner and parking turns. I figure I can run a switched and fused wire to the controller for slow speed use. As it is now, you can shut off the engine and start it back up to negotiate slow turns. I just need an old controller to see what sort of relays are in it for the 60 amp feed to the motor. It might use switching transisters, won't know until I can open one.
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Coley
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Age: 81
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07-02-23 05:32 PM - Post#2859891
In response to Coley
All is not lost! I found out the previous owner may have changed the motor, but he didn't put a new one in. I found a new one and put it in and WALA. Mr steering is back as good as new. Now all I need is to get the radio repaired/replaced and paint the hood. 2,500 miles so far at the end of the month.
Put a can of Freon in and the A/C works great.
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Coley
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Age: 81
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07-03-23 09:32 AM - Post#2859920
In response to Coley
OOPS spoke too soon. Last night car ran smoothly for the test drive, but when I pulled out of the garage this morning I went 1/2 mile and the power steering warning came back on, when I turned the corner.
Now it is back just like before. Putting your hand on the motor, it does not get warm, just shuts off. I still think the module is cutting the power to the motor. I can not get anyone to sell me a PSCM so I can see how it works. Today I took the old motor apart and found that it is built like a lawn tractor starter motor. It is a permanent magnet motor with 4 brushes. Nothing is wrong with it. It has to something cutting off the power.
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Shepherd
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07-04-23 02:43 PM - Post#2859983
In response to Coley
The steering is programmed not be controlled under 20 mph, according to diagnostic info. A proper scan would pin down the source, the angle sensor was a common failure in this system. The steering angle sensor on the column and car speed inputs to the controller determine the amount of assist required. There was a recall related the p/s system, look into it. Btw, a regular scanner will be unable to read this info, the professional units can.
Edited by Shepherd on 07-04-23 03:01 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Coley
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07-04-23 07:03 PM - Post#2859989
In response to Shepherd
Today it worked a little longer (a block or 2) before shutting off. I swear I can hear a click when it goes out and the p/s signal shows on the dash. You can shut off the ignition and then back on, it works OK for a short time. That sounds like a relay in action. The car is too old and mileage too high to be helped by GM, I am told. Sent for a relay tester today. If I can put an LED onto the relay that shuts it off, I may be able to put a temp feed to it and control when it comes on & off. It will be 3,000 miles on it tomorrow.
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schudaddie
Senior Member
Posts: 324
Loc: SW, MI
Reg: 10-31-01
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07-09-23 06:33 AM - Post#2860137
In response to Coley
You might get some good advice here
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/
The steering motor has internal thermal protection. If it needs replacing it should be free due to a GM recall. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/ powe...
Take a look at the intermediate steering shaft universals. Easy to see from underneath on drivers side. Just replaced mine due to some clunking noise. The universal was so rusty it barely worked. The worst part of changing it was working under the dash to get the rubber boot installed.
If it is the motor . Do what this guy did. Post #14
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-servi ce-r...
Good luck, Bill
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Coley
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07-09-23 09:46 AM - Post#2860141
In response to schudaddie
I took the old motor apart and there was no thermal protection inside it. Just 4 brushes wired up to two heavy wires. I took it home yesterday and it went 4 miles with various stops and turns and never shut off at up to 50 mph, until I turned onto my gravel road. Then click, it went off.
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schudaddie
Senior Member
Posts: 324
Loc: SW, MI
Reg: 10-31-01
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07-10-23 02:47 PM - Post#2860177
In response to Coley
Maybe Do what this guy did. Post #14
“I've attached the actual NHTSA document that identifies GM Technical Service Bulletin 14119. Read the entire document. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle. I took my 2007 to the local Chevrolet dealer with a copy of this document in hand explaining that my power steering constantly quit working. The Service manager looked it up using my VIN # and scheduled me in. Yesterday (12/27/2019) they replaced the motor without ANY cost to me. He chuckled a little making a comment that this extended warranty is most unusual in that it is for the life of the car without any time-limit. Thank-you General Motors for doing the right thing.”
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/attachments/pr oble...
Later, Bill
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Coley
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Age: 81
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07-10-23 06:15 PM - Post#2860186
In response to schudaddie
Since I already replaced the motor with a brand new one and there was nothing wrong with the old one, I can't see any use in replacing the motor again. Today I drove the car on 3 short trips around town with lots of turning and stop/start movement and it never went out once, then on the way home it cut out as I left the front of my shop.(a 2 foot trip). Has to be the feed to the controller.
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schudaddie
Senior Member
Posts: 324
Loc: SW, MI
Reg: 10-31-01
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07-11-23 02:13 PM - Post#2860204
In response to Coley
Very strange…. Some say check the various grounds. Heck, this guy found a loose wire next to fuse box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcwU4Q8j0UE
I’m sure you’re going to find something and it will be something crazy.
Good luck,Bill
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Coley
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Age: 81
Loc: Milledgeville, IL. 61051
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07-25-23 04:45 AM - Post#2860714
In response to schudaddie
I found a gentleman in Lake Land Florida that sent me just the PSCM and the torque sensor housing that it is bolted to. Removed and took the PSCM apart to find that they use use a bank of heavy switching transisters to put the power to the motor.
The only relays inside it were a couple small ones the torque sensors probably use. Not heavy enough for 60 amp use. Curiosity satisfied for now on the controller. I put a solid ground wire on the TCM as that has been shown to cause the "power steering" light to come on. Didn't help.
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Shepherd
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Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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07-25-23 06:19 AM - Post#2860717
In response to Coley
To repeat myself, isn't there a sensor on the lower column , SAS it's called, steering angle sensor, https://www.amazon.com/GM-Original-Equipment -19418... If so that was a common failure issue.
Edited by Shepherd on 07-25-23 06:19 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Coley
Valued Contributor
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Age: 81
Loc: Milledgeville, IL. 61051
Reg: 11-23-00
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07-25-23 07:47 PM - Post#2860740
In response to Shepherd
The SAS was the first thing a shop owner friend suggested when I first bought the car. It checked out OK. I did check out the 60 amp feed tonight and found that it is hot even with the ignition off. Turning the steering wheel with the engine running didn't change the 60 amp line even when the p/s clicked off. Drove it 35 miles today and the engine warning lights came on for just a couple seconds and the speedo and tach went almost to 0, then bounced back to reading. No change in the trans or engine operation. No "traction" light coming on, but air bag light blinked a couple times and goes out. This happens once or twice in 20 minutes of driving.
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Coley
Valued Contributor
Posts: 4015
Age: 81
Loc: Milledgeville, IL. 61051
Reg: 11-23-00
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08-08-23 05:51 PM - Post#2861238
In response to schudaddie
Can't seem to get registered on the HHR forums site. Know how to do that?
| Any man that thinks he is too old to learn new things, probably always was.... |
Edited by Coley on 08-08-23 05:52 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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schudaddie
Senior Member
Posts: 324
Loc: SW, MI
Reg: 10-31-01
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08-12-23 05:48 AM - Post#2861392
In response to Coley
Never joined, just searched and read.
Later,bill
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Coley
Valued Contributor
Posts: 4015
Age: 81
Loc: Milledgeville, IL. 61051
Reg: 11-23-00
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09-22-23 04:58 AM - Post#2862748
In response to Coley
While searching for the 2nd power feed for the radio, I noticed the 2 amp fuse for the EPS feed. Pulled that 2 amp fuse and the steering WORKED WITHOUT IT, for a lock to lock turn of the steering wheel, then click it was gone. I put the 2 amp fuse back in and no change to the steering. It worked for a bit and went out like it usually does. Where is it getting feed, with the 2 amp fuse out?
I have gone to the other HHR forums, but they are not much help.
NOTE
Today I hit the 6000 miles mark with the car. Tried a little experiment at a large parking lot. I turned the steering wheel to the left stop and shut the engine off. Held the wheel to the left and started the engine. The PS light came on before the car had gone 2 feet. Same on right turn try. Straightened the wheel and shut off the engine. On restart holding the wheel straight, PS light came on in under 1 foot of car movement.
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Edited by Coley on 10-07-23 09:54 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Coley
Valued Contributor
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Age: 81
Loc: Milledgeville, IL. 61051
Reg: 11-23-00
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10-26-23 04:44 AM - Post#2863633
In response to Coley
I contacted the largest Chevy Dealership in my area. Got NOTHING in response to my telling them about the bulletin. Guess I am on my own.
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Shepherd
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Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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10-26-23 07:01 AM - Post#2863636
In response to Coley
By now, I would have replaced sas, no matter how it seems to checkout, as I said it was a common failure.
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Coley
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Age: 81
Loc: Milledgeville, IL. 61051
Reg: 11-23-00
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10-29-23 01:52 PM - Post#2863713
In response to Shepherd
If the steering was not so intermitent, I would think so also. The way it sometimes works just like it should for a mile or so, just doesn't point to that. Something is shutting off the power to the controller. I can't see the SAS doing this without failing altogether. Most of the time when I start the engine and leave it in Park, I can turn the steering wheel in either direction clear to the stop and make a complete u-turn just as smooth as it should, but when straighten out the wheel, I don't get far and the movement of the car shuts off the power. Sort of like a speed sensor is acting up, yet the speedo works fine.
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