(UPDATED)2010 v6 only starts when it wants! Help, info? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Kobra · 03-17-2017, 04:03 PM

Bought my 2010 v6 manual trans Camaro last month, everything was going fine up until about 2 weeks ago when it would randomly decide it didn't want to play that day and refused to start. Everything inside would work when i turned the key forward for the first click; lights, air consitioner, radio, everything. But as soon as I turn it forward again to start, the whole thing is dead. Usually I would be able to get it going again in like 15 minutes, but 2 days ago I sat in the parking garage at work for nearly 3 hours to get her back to life to no avail. I even had my supervisor try to give me a jumpstart direct to the battery. Thursday morning, the towing company arrived at work to get the car on the rig, he hooked up a Snap-On jump pack and even that wouldn't get her started. Voltage read 11.8 volts. BUT, once it got back to the dealership, according to service personnel, it hasn't messed up one time. In fact, "it has started up at least 25 times without failing" was what the guy told me.

TL;DR: Camaro is bipolar and only wants to start when it wants. Can anybody help with some information? Has anybody experienced this?

Rock-It Man · 03-17-2017, 04:25 PM

No first hand experience, but if the battery is OK and the problem is intermittent, the first place to look would be the clutch lockout switch that requires the clutch to be pressed before the starter will crank.

BTW, what do you mean "the whole thing is dead"? When you turn the key to start, exactly what happens and doesn't happen?

Kobra · 03-17-2017, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

BTW, what do you mean "the whole thing is dead"? When you turn the key to start, exactly what happens and doesn't happen?

Everything shuts off as soon as i try to start, clutch all the way to the floor as well.

Restlessone · 03-17-2017, 04:50 PM

The first thing I would do is change the battery.

CamaroFred · 03-17-2017, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restlessone

The first thing I would do is change the battery.

+1

tomlink · 03-17-2017, 07:06 PM

May seem like a strange suggestion, but are you releasing the key too quickly? I've had it where I turn it to start and if I just let go the key goes all the way back to the off position.

Kobra · 03-17-2017, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomlink

May seem like a strange suggestion, but are you releasing the key too quickly? I've had it where I turn it to start and if I just let go the key goes all the way back to the off position.

I can hold the key forward in the start position for 30 seconds and nothing happens except all the interior accessories turn off.

Jazzzed · 03-17-2017, 07:37 PM

Maybe the starter is shorted internally, so when you try to engage it with the key, the short circuit causes a direct short across the battery... killing all of your other electrical devices as well. A jump won't fix a starter issue obviously, but moving the car (the tow) can.

Welker2 · 03-17-2017, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restlessone

The first thing I would do is change the battery.

This ... these cars can be very temperamental when it comes to batteries; if the battery is going bad or is weak, they won't start. If you want to be sure before buying a new battery, take you current battery down to your local auto parts store and have them test it to see if it's bad or not. Good luck

redcoats1976 · 03-17-2017, 07:47 PM

how are the terminals(battery)clean and tight?i had an old pontiac that was sensitive to dirt or loose terminals.i would tern the key and get one click and everything would die but lights.wouldnt sart until i wiggled or cleaned the terminals.

Jazzzed · 03-17-2017, 07:52 PM

If it was a battery problem though, I would think that he'd be able to get it started with a jump.

Spec · 03-17-2017, 07:57 PM

Also check all your ground points. Hopefully not, but it could be a malfunctioning BCM too. I'm learning that the BCM on these rides is fairly sensitive. Even a jump can damage it.

Good luck with the issue.

Welker2 · 03-17-2017, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzzed

If it was a battery problem though, I would think that he'd be able to get it started with a jump.

Not necessary ... had a battery go bad in my Corvette; tried jumping it from my truck (direct battery to battery connection with the truck running), wouldn't start, then tried jumping it from a fully charged jump box, still wouldn't start. Took the battery down to AutoZone, they tested it and it was bad. Bought a new battery, popped it in and the car started right up. From what I've seen and heard, the Camaros are as temperamental as the Corvettes when it comes to batteries.

yzark99 · 03-17-2017, 09:00 PM

11.8 volts is a dead battery. Replace it.

03-17-2017, 04:03 PM	#1
Kobra Traitor Drives: 2010 Camaro (BLOWN UP, GOT MUSTANG) Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana Posts: 30 View My Garage	(UPDATED)2010 v6 only starts when it wants! Help, info? Bought my 2010 v6 manual trans Camaro last month, everything was going fine up until about 2 weeks ago when it would randomly decide it didn't want to play that day and refused to start. Everything inside would work when i turned the key forward for the first click; lights, air consitioner, radio, everything. But as soon as I turn it forward again to start, the whole thing is dead. Usually I would be able to get it going again in like 15 minutes, but 2 days ago I sat in the parking garage at work for nearly 3 hours to get her back to life to no avail. I even had my supervisor try to give me a jumpstart direct to the battery. Thursday morning, the towing company arrived at work to get the car on the rig, he hooked up a Snap-On jump pack and even that wouldn't get her started. Voltage read 11.8 volts. BUT, once it got back to the dealership, according to service personnel, it hasn't messed up one time. In fact, "it has started up at least 25 times without failing" was what the guy told me. TL;DR: Camaro is bipolar and only wants to start when it wants. Can anybody help with some information? Has anybody experienced this? Last edited by Kobra; 03-25-2017 at 02:19 AM.

03-17-2017, 09:00 PM	#14
yzark99 I run 2 catch cans... Drives: 2012 1LT SIM Auto Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: OR there Posts: 1,038 View My Garage	11.8 volts is a dead battery. Replace it. __________________ Overkill tuned • Air Scoop • CAI • VMAX PTB • JacFab Laminator FX + Extendolator • SOLO Hi-Flo Cats + Cat-Back Exhaust View my top 3 LFX performance mods and more: .

03-17-2017, 04:25 PM	#2
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,033 View My Garage	No first hand experience, but if the battery is OK and the problem is intermittent, the first place to look would be the clutch lockout switch that requires the clutch to be pressed before the starter will crank. BTW, what do you mean "the whole thing is dead"? When you turn the key to start, exactly what happens and doesn't happen?

03-17-2017, 04:50 PM	#4
Restlessone Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 19	The first thing I would do is change the battery.

03-17-2017, 07:06 PM	#6
tomlink Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 953 View My Garage	May seem like a strange suggestion, but are you releasing the key too quickly? I've had it where I turn it to start and if I just let go the key goes all the way back to the off position.

03-17-2017, 07:37 PM	#8
Jazzzed Drives: 2015 Camaro LT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Fox Lake, IL Posts: 393	Maybe the starter is shorted internally, so when you try to engage it with the key, the short circuit causes a direct short across the battery... killing all of your other electrical devices as well. A jump won't fix a starter issue obviously, but moving the car (the tow) can.

03-17-2017, 07:47 PM	#10
redcoats1976 Drives: LT W/2LT,blue metallic Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: central florida Posts: 4,916	how are the terminals(battery)clean and tight?i had an old pontiac that was sensitive to dirt or loose terminals.i would tern the key and get one click and everything would die but lights.wouldnt sart until i wiggled or cleaned the terminals.

03-17-2017, 07:52 PM	#11
Jazzzed Drives: 2015 Camaro LT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Fox Lake, IL Posts: 393	If it was a battery problem though, I would think that he'd be able to get it started with a jump.

03-17-2017, 07:57 PM	#12
Spec Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 4,018	Also check all your ground points. Hopefully not, but it could be a malfunctioning BCM too. I'm learning that the BCM on these rides is fairly sensitive. Even a jump can damage it. Good luck with the issue.