I've searched and been through the existing threads and didn't find any that seemed like an exact much, but close enough to think that my current intermittent starting issues probably ARE ground related and not anything else.
The car, 2006 HHR Lt / 2.4l automatic with about 136K miles on her.

For the last couple of months there have been times where she was a little slow to start, but always has....with a few times thrown in where she didn't start on the first try but did on the 2'nd or 3rd. Usually, I hear the electronic locks trying to engage while the not starting is happening, but not always. No other issues. Has not thrown any codes, battery and alternator are good, no issues after starting is successful.

I am hampered by not having a good space to work on her and most of my tools still being in storage in Ohio, but I am capable! (Just more well versed in carpentry and lighting/electronics than anything automotive, especially non diesel automotive!)
Hoping to narrow down the numerous possible places for a ground fault to occur so I can solve this quickly, efficiently, and hopefully on my own with a little help from all of you!

Posting video of the start yesterday morning, which did not include any sounds from the electronic locks...

Thanks!
Elaine

 

Audio isn't the best. I will try with my ipad instead and post another if the sound is better, or the symptoms different!

 

Well, seems pretty obvious, your car is upside-down!!

Seriously, though, you say battery and alternator are good, what testing was done?

It's a longshot, but how has the coolant level been? Sounds a liitle like the Camaro I used to have, slow crank was because 1 cylinder had water in it from a cracked head. Water is difficult to compress.

Or it could be your starter is starting to go out.

 

I can tell you with 99 percent certainty it is your battery. Mine did the exact same thing when my 11 year old battery started to crap out. Mimicked flooding issues like RJ said and also made me think it was either a fuel pump or starter, but turned out to just be the battery.

 

Seems a trend , batteries giving up.

 

Battery tested good, and it isn't that old. Can go 2 weeks and be perfectly fine, no slow or non starts. Not my first time at the rodeo, I do the usual symptoms of a dead or dying battery or alternator issues.

 

11 volts is dead.

However; intermittent hard start can be a stuck open EVAP purge valve, check the large red connector to the under hood fuse box, could be the fuse box halves have loosened up.

Ground points under the hood are at the top of the transmission and the driver side of the radiator support, near the driver side strut tower (2),
Most are listed here: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...cations-56504/

 

Seriously though... Just consider the bat. I had the same stuff. Flat wouldn't turn over until I cycled the key back a couple times. Go out and try to start and restart in somewhat rapid succession..... Start, run for 10 seconds, turn off, start, run for ten seconds. Each time it will most likely start getting harder and harder to start, because the battery can barely hold a charge. The original battery in Gregg gave up just about a year after the original alternator. Also, what kind of battery is in it now? Some of the cheapo ones wont last a few months to a year.

 

That's where I'm starting today, Don...thanks!
Additional info I forgot to include in my original post--remote start was kinda wonky too and is not working at all as of yesterday when I tried it.

 

battery