Turn key to start and car electrical system shorts out

I have a 2009 Aveo LT 4 door sedan. My car has been doing this problem for a while now and I haven't really looked in to it because my workaround is really easy.

When I go to start the car, I turn the key and the electrical system seems to short out. The speedometer gauge shakes and clicks until something electrical is tripped again in the car.

To temporarily fix the problem, I go to move the ground wire on the battery terminal. The electrical system starts again and I can usually start the car. Only a few times I have to repeat and move the ground wire.

This makes me think the problem is related to the grounding of the car. However I don't know where to start looking for issues.

Any help is appreciated.

electrical issues are hard to diagnose, let alone to tel you where to start over the internet.

based on your description, I agree with you about the bad ground. At less than 11 volts, the gauges will act funny, the car probably won't start, etc. This could be a bad battery, corroded ground wire, poor connection, etc. So try adjusting the ground terminal. Have the battery checked, and check the main harness grounds/wires and connections for corrosion.

I second it being a bad battery. Is your battery still the original one that came with the car? If it's an AC Delco, then it almost certainly is. Take it to an autozone, o'reilly's, etc and ask them to test it as most do that for free. They'll probably confirm it's the battery.

The main ground is to the right of the battery. Pull of the positive and you can see it there bolted to the frame.