I drove to the station this morning no issue but tonight when I turn the key I get a single click under the hood and then nothing. In order to try again I have to remove and re-install the key and then just a single click again. I tried a hard reset - no change. I tried the other key and still just a single click. The instrument cluster says system check. Everything electrical works fine.
I didn't have a code reader or battery tester so I will go back in the morning
Any suggestions on trouble shooting will be much appreciated
thanks,

 

The problem is in the starter solenoid. It might be bad but it is also quite likely that you either have insufficient current supply to the starter solenoid - poor/corroded connection in the positive line (White/Red wire) coming from the starter relay to the starter solenoid (check the large in-line connector in the engine compartment near the right shock tower), bad starter relay or its burnt/corroded pins or poor grounding of the starter motor; or the starter solenoid could be bad. I suggest you check in the order as I have mentioned.

 

I've had an intermittent issue similar to yours. I would turn the key to ignition start, and would only hear a click. It seemed mine was a faulty inertia switch. If it happens again, try pushing down on the inertia switch. It's in the passenger foot well, behind some covers. Then try starting the car again.




But I would also agree with M. Stojanovic. It could possibly by a starter issue. Either the starter is faulty, or an electrical issue with supplying voltage to the starter.

 

Thank you both for your replies. I will investigate both. I am so hoping to avoid flat bedding it home.

 

Check these earth points.
1. Heavy black cable bolted to the stud on the brake servo box - ring terminal cleaned.
2. Engine earth under the car near the trans bell housing to the rear of the block. ring terminal cleaned.
3. under hood fues boxes, the heavy black cable that links both, remove the boots and nuts and clean the ring connectors and surfaces.

99% of the time it's a bad earth. You're hearing the starter relay click, the next stage isn't completed (crank) as the earth isn't 100% ground.

 

Thank you Sean,
I am going to clean all of those today

 

More then one relay will click under the bonnet as you rotate the key and the specific one for starter ( circled in green ) is the one you want to put your finger on and feel for it .Notice it's on different sides of the car dependent on your steering wheel side .

Even if this one soecific relay does click or not you can swap it out with another relay of the same part number like a headlight or fan as long as it's not a king relay circled in red

The one king relay you must also have click in the starting sequence is the ignition positive relay in the front left side circled in red .

 

Low battery voltage, its quite fussy. Charge or jump it and see if it will start.

 

Thank you all for your help. In checking and cleaning all of the connections mentioned I found that large starter cable was loose on the stub. In looking closer I can see that this connection must have gotten really hot as the nylon on the nut is melted and the copper fuse is badly discolored on that side. I cleaned everything up and torqued it down. So lucky I didn't have a fire in the trunk.

Reconnected the battery, turned the key, and it cranked strong nd started right up. So glad I didn't have to change the starter.
I would recommend everyone pull the caps and check the connections