# Chevy HHR Ignition Switch Woes **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** hhr, ignition\ **Created:** [September 27, 2014, 3:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-hhr-ignition-switch-woes/87377 "2014-09-27T03:41:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HHRHell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4da419/32.png) [@HHRHell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HHRHell)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 3:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-hhr-ignition-switch-woes/87377/1 "2014-09-27T03:41:40Z")
My problems arose about 6 months ago, when I was overdue for an inspection by a few weeks. I did get pulled over once, but that cop let me go. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY SIGN TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED… but it wasn’t. I put it off longer. I got caught in an inspection check, and I did recieve a ticket. I was resolved to finally get my car inspected. THEN, my key stopped working - in the on position. The only managble solution I could come up with was to take off the steering column and physcially unplug it. This allowed me to turn my car off when I needed to. THEN my wheel barrings turned out to be shot. My question is this: Does unplugging the steering column have any effect on my car’s computer? Is unplugging the steering column somehow resetting it? I want to attempt to have it inspected while I await my ignition switch. Thank you, Samantha ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 3:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-hhr-ignition-switch-woes/87377/2 "2014-09-27T03:46:43Z")
I don’t think unplugging the steering column would have any impact on the computer, provided the battery remained connected. Many time mechanics will disconnect the battery when doing a job like that, so you’d need to ask if the battery was disconnected. Any shop could verify the computer is ready for inspection test – i.e. all the monitors are complete, and there are no active emissions related codes – if you wanted to make sure. A lot of auto parts stores will do that for free if you ask. ---
**Author:** ![HHRHell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4da419/32.png) [@HHRHell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HHRHell)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-hhr-ignition-switch-woes/87377/3 "2014-09-27T03:47:42Z")
Thank you. 🙂