Ignition clicks once and car won't start, but does start most of the time - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

carlc376 · 09-01-2025, 03:06 PM

I went to start the car (2010 Camaro v6 auto) yesterday (after sitting overnight), when I turned the key there was a single loud click (sounds like it is in the column and not from the starter) and the dash lights went off until I released the key (not likley related since I noticed that when the car does start, the dash lights go out briefly).

So I went to start the car the following day as I was going to start looking into the issue and the car started properly. I drove then drove it to place I bought the battery (just to rule it out, even though it is less than a year old and still under warranty). They checked the battery (in the car) and determined it was bad and replaced it under warranty. The car started immediately with no problem after replacement.

Today, I went to start the car and I am getting the same problem. However, I tried immediately again and it started. It seems that it is more likely to start than not. It seems that for every 10 or 15 times I actually start the car, one or two times it will not start with the same occurence as above. This feels more like its related to the switch, and not the starter. I did check all the connections I could get to without taking too much apart and they look good.

I know there are a a few interlocks that can keep the car from starting, is there a particular one that would be more a culprit than the others on this car for this scenario?

With this inconsistency, it seems like the starter being bad is a lower possibility, but the car has 129,000+ miles on it and I am not sure if the starter has been replaced. On previous cars I have replaced a starter on the issue occurred far more consistently (but that car was a early 90s Toyota that did not have the extensive technology this one does where the key had to be held at "start" to actually start and it was a manual transmission).

I can replace the starter and it might be worth just replacing it anyway due to its age, but I have never been fond of throwing parts at a problem unless they are really cheap and easy to get to.

Thank you for any thoughts/input.

YouaintnoCowboy · 09-01-2025, 03:50 PM

Inspect the Neutral Start Switch relay and the related fuses. Also I would double check the battery cable ends to makes sure they have no wiggle or play because sometimes even if it looks to be completely tight around the terminal, they can wear out to the point where even if you tighten them all the way they will still be loose. Lastly it may just be a bad starter solenoid that's getting old and seizing every once in a while, hence the "clunk", or "loud click". I'm not sure which column you're referring to although I'm just gunna assume you mean your A column where your side mirror and windshield is mounted, which might just be sound travelling weird from your starter to your cabin, because there shouldn't be anything in there but an airbag.

carlc376 · 09-02-2025, 06:51 AM

Thank you. I will check the relay. The battery terminals were cleaned and retightened. The sound seemed to come from the steering column, but the starter is on the same side and very well may be what I am hearing.

scott71law · 09-24-2025, 09:50 AM

Subscribing- I seem to have a very similar issue. 79K miles on my 2011, and I too sometimes get the no start, then a few seconds later it will just start right up. Happened the other morning when it was cold overnight (low 40's) so I thought maybe the battery was struggling, haven't had it checked yet. The starts on my car also seem rough sometimes, like it struggles a little to get going. I am not the original owner so for all I know it could still have the factory battery in it. Can the battery and charging system be checked with the battery still in the car? I may have that done somewhere. I would say this happens for me every 15-20 starts or so. I also hear the clunk sometimes. Car runs great other than this occasional rough start.

I hate to bring this up, but could issues like this be caused by a worn timing chain?

Bigdumogre · 09-24-2025, 11:13 AM

I used to have that problem with hot starts only and adding a extra ground cable to the battery fixed it for me. there is a bunch of threads about it if you search. Most people also added a bell housing ground too.

scott71law · 09-24-2025, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdumogre

I used to have that problem with hot starts only and adding a extra ground cable to the battery fixed it for me. there is a bunch of threads about it if you search. Most people also added a bell housing ground too.

How did you add the ground, just a cable/wire right to the negative post from the chassis?

TheBrightSide · 10-06-2025, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott71law

How did you add the ground, just a cable/wire right to the negative post from the chassis?

I'm not sure about the V6 models (LLT/LFX), but I know for the V8 SS models (L99/LS3), you add an extra ground cable/wire in the trunk well, at where the battery sits.

Then, you add 2 extra ground cables towards the front of the car; one on the driver side of the engine head, in the engine bay; and then another ground cable on the passenger side, rear bottom of the transmission bell housing.

I also wrapped the starter motor, which has it's own heat shield as well. Doing all these stopped my hard, hot starts; but I luckily never had an issue where I couldn't start or had to try multiple times.

09-01-2025, 03:06 PM	#1
carlc376 Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro v6 Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Greenville MI Posts: 35 View My Garage	Ignition clicks once and car won't start, but does start most of the time I went to start the car (2010 Camaro v6 auto) yesterday (after sitting overnight), when I turned the key there was a single loud click (sounds like it is in the column and not from the starter) and the dash lights went off until I released the key (not likley related since I noticed that when the car does start, the dash lights go out briefly). So I went to start the car the following day as I was going to start looking into the issue and the car started properly. I drove then drove it to place I bought the battery (just to rule it out, even though it is less than a year old and still under warranty). They checked the battery (in the car) and determined it was bad and replaced it under warranty. The car started immediately with no problem after replacement. Today, I went to start the car and I am getting the same problem. However, I tried immediately again and it started. It seems that it is more likely to start than not. It seems that for every 10 or 15 times I actually start the car, one or two times it will not start with the same occurence as above. This feels more like its related to the switch, and not the starter. I did check all the connections I could get to without taking too much apart and they look good. I know there are a a few interlocks that can keep the car from starting, is there a particular one that would be more a culprit than the others on this car for this scenario? With this inconsistency, it seems like the starter being bad is a lower possibility, but the car has 129,000+ miles on it and I am not sure if the starter has been replaced. On previous cars I have replaced a starter on the issue occurred far more consistently (but that car was a early 90s Toyota that did not have the extensive technology this one does where the key had to be held at "start" to actually start and it was a manual transmission). I can replace the starter and it might be worth just replacing it anyway due to its age, but I have never been fond of throwing parts at a problem unless they are really cheap and easy to get to. Thank you for any thoughts/input. __________________ Chris 2010 Camaro Transformer Edition

09-02-2025, 06:51 AM	#3
carlc376 Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro v6 Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Greenville MI Posts: 35 View My Garage	Thank you. I will check the relay. The battery terminals were cleaned and retightened. The sound seemed to come from the steering column, but the starter is on the same side and very well may be what I am hearing. __________________ Chris 2010 Camaro Transformer Edition

09-24-2025, 11:13 AM	#5
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,452	I used to have that problem with hot starts only and adding a extra ground cable to the battery fixed it for me. there is a bunch of threads about it if you search. Most people also added a bell housing ground too. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

09-01-2025, 03:50 PM	#2
YouaintnoCowboy Drives: 2011 RS Camaro Join Date: Sep 2025 Location: CA Posts: 9	Inspect the Neutral Start Switch relay and the related fuses. Also I would double check the battery cable ends to makes sure they have no wiggle or play because sometimes even if it looks to be completely tight around the terminal, they can wear out to the point where even if you tighten them all the way they will still be loose. Lastly it may just be a bad starter solenoid that's getting old and seizing every once in a while, hence the "clunk", or "loud click". I'm not sure which column you're referring to although I'm just gunna assume you mean your A column where your side mirror and windshield is mounted, which might just be sound travelling weird from your starter to your cabin, because there shouldn't be anything in there but an airbag.

09-24-2025, 09:50 AM	#4
scott71law Drives: 2011 LS auto Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Albany NY Posts: 26	Subscribing- I seem to have a very similar issue. 79K miles on my 2011, and I too sometimes get the no start, then a few seconds later it will just start right up. Happened the other morning when it was cold overnight (low 40's) so I thought maybe the battery was struggling, haven't had it checked yet. The starts on my car also seem rough sometimes, like it struggles a little to get going. I am not the original owner so for all I know it could still have the factory battery in it. Can the battery and charging system be checked with the battery still in the car? I may have that done somewhere. I would say this happens for me every 15-20 starts or so. I also hear the clunk sometimes. Car runs great other than this occasional rough start. I hate to bring this up, but could issues like this be caused by a worn timing chain?