No power steering after jump start
Diagnose and fix no power steering after jump start
GM has issued a service bulletin #05-02-32-002D to address a no power steering after jump start Issue on the vehicles listed below. You may find a warning message PWR STR on the driver information display and find no power steering. This is caused by improper jump starting procedures that blows the power steering fuse. Drivers often confuse the underhood junction block with the battery. They assume there is a positive and negative post in the junction block. UHJB. But they only see one post, so they remove the cover and find another small post inside the junction block. That post is the battery _ voltage for the power steering. Once you attach a jumper cable to this post, you blow the power steering fuses
Vehicles affected by service bulletin #05-02-32-002D
2006-2009 Chevrolet HHR
2003-2007 Saturn ION
Replace the blown fuses
On 2003-2005 Saturn ION vehicles only, open the fuse box cover, then remove and discard the small plastic cover that has the words “REMOVE AND DISCARD THIS COVER FOR FUSE OR RELAY SERVICING” listed on the top.
If new fuses don’t solve the problem, refer to this post.
How to jump start HHR and ION
Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all electrical accessors. Locate the positive (+) and negative (-) terminal locations on the donor vehicle. The HHR and ION have a remote positive (+) jump starting terminal. The remote positive (+) terminal is located on the engine compartment fuse block, under a red cap. You DO NOT have to remove the black fuse box cover.
Connect the Negative (-) jumper cable to a heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to a remote negative (-) terminal if the vehicle has one. Do not connect positive (+) to negative (-) or you will get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts too.
Do not connect the negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal on the vehicle with dead battery because this can cause sparks.
Remove the red terminal cover and connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery. Use a remote negative (-) terminal if the vehicle has one. Do not let the other end touch anything until the next step.
Connect the other end of the negative (-) cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that move. The electrical connection is just as good there, and the chance of sparks getting back to the battery is much less.
For 2003 and 2004 model year IONs, attach the black negative (-) cable to the engine lift hook of the dead battery vehicle, about 18 inches (45 cm) away from the remote positive (+) terminal, but not near engine parts that move.
For 2005 and 2006 model year IONs, attach the black negative (-) cable to the remote negative terminal. The remote terminal is located under the GND (-) sticker on the driver side of the radiator support bar (near hood prop rod).
For 2006 HHRs, attach the black negative (-) cable to the remote negative terminal. The remote terminal is located on the driver’s side shock tower and is marked with a GND (-) sticker.
For 2003 and 2004 model year IONs, attach the black negative (-) cable to the engine lift hook of the dead battery vehicle, about 18 inches (45 cm) away from the remote positive (+) terminal, but not near engine parts that move.
For 2005 and 2006 model year IONs, attach the black negative (-) cable to the remote negative terminal. The remote terminal is located under the GND (-) sticker on the driver side of the radiator support bar (near hood prop rod).
For 2006 HHRs, attach the black negative (-) cable to the remote negative terminal. The remote terminal is located on the driver’s side shock tower and is marked with a GND (-) sticker.
For 2003 and 2004 model year IONs, attach the black negative (-) cable to the engine lift hook of the dead battery vehicle, about 18 inches (45 cm) away from the remote positive (+) terminal, but not near engine parts that move.
For 2005 and 2006 model year IONs, attach the black negative (-) cable to the remote negative terminal. The remote terminal is located under the GND (-) sticker on the driver side of the radiator support bar (near hood prop rod).
For 2006 HHRs, attach the black negative (-) cable to the remote negative terminal. The remote terminal is located on the driver’s side shock tower and is marked with a GND (-) sticker.
Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while. Press the unlock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter to disarm your security system, if equipped.