Community Forums

slapfoot · 05-14-2012, 06:30 PM

Can anyone tell me what is actually shut off by removing fuse 8 in an HHR. I find it interesting that Chevy dealers cannot tell me what shuts down so that the battery will not be drained during towing. I asked the tech at Blue Ox who installed the switch so I would not have to pull the fuse. Also, no answer.

Scooter · 05-14-2012, 06:49 PM

How many amps is the fuse?

slapfoot · 05-14-2012, 06:56 PM

Sorry but not sure. Possibly 4 amp.....one of the smaller numbered fuses.

PHESPE · 05-14-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapfoot

Can anyone tell me what is actually shut off by removing fuse 8 in an HHR. I find it interesting that Chevy dealers cannot tell me what shuts down so that the battery will not be drained during towing. I asked the tech at Blue Ox who installed the switch so I would not have to pull the fuse. Also, no answer.

The HHR owners Manual on page 6-121 shows Fuse 8 as "Ignition Switch, PASS-Key III+

PHESPE

slapfoot · 05-15-2012, 04:53 AM

Yes, I've read that also, but I don't know what it means. I'm looking for someone to tell me what it means.

wah864 · 05-15-2012, 05:15 AM

If I remember correctly when I had an HHR, it is a 3 amp fuse that controls dashboard related things. For instance, I always left the radio on and the door open when I hit my rocker switch to shut off the power to that fuse and the door bell would cease ringing and the radio would shut off as well. It also shut off power to the ignition switch. You cannot remove the key until the power is restored. All you really need to know, is that your battery will not drain and the car will start again!

clyon51 · 05-15-2012, 05:20 AM

Pass Key III is the system used on GM vehicles/keys. Insert the wrong key or a copy and the system disables your fuel pump. Not sure what would happen by pulling the fuse. I would assume either lock you out or disable the system, probably the former.

336muffin · 05-15-2012, 05:27 AM

It could possibly cut the auto headlight function. The fuse in our Saturn cuts this function with the dash sensor, I pulled ours going home and did not pull the fuse just to see what would happen. When the sun went down the headlights came on, I pulled into a rest area and pulled the fuse and headlights went out.

Magic · 05-15-2012, 07:46 AM

I can Tell you what happens if you don't pull it and tow for 2 days straight.
On the second day of towing, and while in a rest area, I decided to check the car and start it for a few minutes while we had lunch.
The car won't start, the car wouldn't come back out of "park" and the rear gate (where the battery is) wouldn't unlatch.
Fun Day ...... We now remember to pull #8

slapfoot · 05-15-2012, 08:00 AM

I'm new to this website and want to thank all for the responses. In my experience the radio did not go off when the fuse was removed. I really thought it would and could not find anything that stopped working when fuse was pulled, which was the reason for my question. I'll keep experimenting using your suggestions. Thanks

cappelte · 05-15-2012, 09:43 AM

It's a 2 amp fuse. It basically will keep you from draining the battery while you're towing. The switch is the best idea and I'll be installing my switch very soon on our HHR. I too have drained the battery but only because I was an idiot and had the key in the wrong position.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-15-2012, 10:06 AM

In newer GM cars it often disables the functions controlled by the BCM - body control module (computer). The Pass Key system would likely be one of those. Those systems are usually active all the time, so are a continual power draw when towing.

Harm · 05-15-2012, 03:49 PM

I agree with what Gary said, it disables the computer chip in the pass key system. You'll notice that when you click the key to the first notch to disable the steering wheel lock, that after pulling this fuse you cannot move the key to off and remove it. It's locked in because it has been disabled and stops the battery drain from that security system.

teddyu · 05-15-2012, 06:51 PM

Removing fuse 8 prevents the ignition key from being removed, removes the chime, removes some power from the ignition system, but it does not remove power from the odometer circuit. To prevent miles from adding the ignition key must be in off position (first position from the key removal steering wheel lock position). When towing, ensure the light switch on the turn signal stock has been positioned to off. This will prevent the headlights from auto on. Been towing a similar cobalt since 2007 and 33,000 miles. Added many miles and ran down the battery multiple times until I got it right. Just my two cents...