Not starting just click then turning key. Full battery

[aaberg]

Got this problem a few days ago on my Camaro 2012 2SS. First time I noticed the car just said "click" then turning the key. No starter sound but lights are fine. After several tries the car started. Worked fine for a day or two but yesterday then I parked on the driveway (started in the garage as normal) I got same problem then I was going to drive the car into garage some hours later. It's only clicks no starter sound but lights etc are fine this time too. Checked the battery after the first click and it's in perfect condition regarding my battery reader and also a professional reader (just one year old battery). Fully charged so it' not the battery. Connections to battery is also tight and fine. No fault codes on OBD. My guess is the starter. What are most common issues with this problem? Any ideas?

[NOT A 45]

Originally Posted by aaberg

Got this problem a few days ago on my Camaro 2012 2SS. First time I noticed the car just said "click" then turning the key. No starter sound but lights are fine. After several tries the car started. Worked fine for a day or two but yesterday then I parked on the driveway (started in the garage as normal) I got same problem then I was going to drive the car into garage some hours later. It's only clicks no starter sound but lights etc are fine this time too. Checked the battery after the first click and it's in perfect condition regarding my battery reader and also a professional reader (just one year old battery). Fully charged so it' not the battery. Connections to battery is also tight and fine. No fault codes on OBD. My guess is the starter. What are most common issues with this problem? Any ideas?

Needs a starter

[silversleeper]

Sometimes the added juice from jumper cables or a battery jumper pack will get it to start so you can get going until you replace the starter.
It's better than have to pay towing and all that. I wouldn't do that too many times or you'll find that trick doesn't work anymore then you must repair it on the spot and can't drive up ramps etc, must tow.

[redcoats1976]

remove the cables to your battery and clean them real good.i had an older pontiac that would do this and you would hear a click and see the spark jump the gap but it wouldnt start or turn over until the cables were cleaned,fixed premanently by running a heavy guage wire(piece of battery cable) from a/c bracket to ground.

[aaberg]

@silversliper: Have tried to add extra battery but same result.

@redcoats1976: Have disconnected battery cables but are fine and correct. Also have same voltage in engine + and -pole as at battery poles so no loss of juice.

@ Not A 45: Will check starter tomorrow. Seem most likely it's the starter.

[hudson773]

dead spot on the starter commutator or solenoid. in the past, I have tapped the starter with a hammer with success when this happens. change it

[Wizard1183]

Starter. Get someone to try to start while you’re under the car to hear the starter not actuating properly. Of course the car will have to be on ramps or jack stands.

[Junker80]

Ive had this happen to a jeep I have due to the cable strands were all mostly broken and not making good contact to the terminals. Still had power but not a good enough connection for a strong start.

[silversleeper]

I don't know if the "run crank" relay underhood is the same function as the "starter" relay. I think it's likely the starter but you might find a similar relay under the hood for e.g. the cooling fans and borrow it to swap with the starter relay to see if that works to diagnose the problem.
I went to autozone to do similar checking on a civic recently and the relay cost way too much. It was the starter problem. Same symptoms but hoped a relay would fix the problem.

Edit: Oh and "extra battery" if it's the same won't help. It needs to be higher voltage like jumper cables on a car that's running or a Jumper battery that's higher voltage e.g. near 14v not another 12.6v or less.

[morepowerjoe]

I'm having the same issue my question is what starter should we go with and is it hard to change with long tubes?

[aaberg]

I have removed starter and tested and it seeems like the solonoid jumps out but not xrank the starter to get running.

[ADVMax]

Another starter vote.


Same scenario as I had a few weeks ago. New AGM battery so I was pretty confident it was starter time.


The only thing I can suggest on the starter change is to check the alignment of the heat shield to the screw holes in the starter before installing.


Also, you may need to keep the little nut tab that's on the "old" starter for the single bolt hole on the back end of the starter on one of the starter motor studs.

[aaberg]

UPDATE: Replaced with a new starter and no problems any more.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Awesome! Thanks for letting us know what you found. Now go and enjoy it some!!