Chevrolet Repair: 02 Chevy Venture mini van wont start, chevy venture, starter switch


Question
QUESTION: Hello Mr. Sheets,
First thanks for your services, I found this site and am amazed how convenient let alone free info...from experts.

My van won't start,  all electric is on, instrument panel and all work.. when you turn the ignition on you get One Click and thats it !!
I replaced the started a couple yrs. back, even though it didn't need it ( didn't know the new key I had made needed to be set by the dealer.....     I'm thinking maybe ignition starter switch..?
Any info or help will do being I'm on disability and can't afford to bring it to the shop.    Thanks again !!
Todd Bowker,     

ANSWER: GOOD DAY TODD, PLEASE CALL ME TOM...OK LETS SEE IF I GET THIS. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY TO CRANK THE ENG IT JUST CLICKS ONE TIME.. HAVE YOU TRIED TO TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS.IF SO ARE THE BRIGHT OR DIM..IF DIM I SUSPECT A FAULTY BATTERY..IF THEY ARE GOOD AND BRIGHT I SUSPECT A FAULTY STARTER...DO YOU HAVE A VOLT METER ?? IF SO, GET UNDER THE VAN AND CK FOR 12 VOLTS ON THE MAIN CABLE AT THE CENTER POST OF STARTER. HAVE SOMEONE TURN THE KEY AND IF THE VOLTAGE DROPS DOWN TO SAY 11.5 VOLTS OR SO YOU HAVE A BAD STARTER. IF VOLTAGE IS DOWN TO 10 OR LESS THE BATTERY OR CONNECTIONS ARE DIRTY. HAVE YOU TRID TO JUMP START THIS YET ??? THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH TO ME..ALSO IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A VOLT METER,GET UNDER THE VAN AND HAVE SOMEONE HOLD THE KEY TO THE CRANK SIDE OF THE SWITCH WHILE YOU TAP ON THE STARTER WITH A HAMMER..[TAP NOT POUNT.] IF IT STARTS LIKE THIS THE STARTER IS BAD.. TRY THESE THINGS AND GET BACK TO ME. [FYI] REBUILD STARTERS ARE NOT THE BEST !!!! THIS WILL GO TO MY PHONE SO I RESPOND QUICK...GOOD LUCK TO YOU,,,TOM...

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QUESTION: Thanks Tom,
 I replace both the battery and starter within the past two years...I will try the "tap" the starter, and get back to you.  Thanks again and have a Blessed day !!

todd.

ANSWER: YES TODD I READ WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE STARTER NOT BEING THAT OLD..BUT REM STARTERS ARE NOT THE BEST....IF YOU HEAR THIS CLICK SOUND FROM THE STARTER AND NOT A RELAY CLICK I STILL SUSPECT THE STARTER IS BAD...TO CK FOR SURE HAVE SOMEONE TURN THE KEY TO CRANK POSITION WHILE YOU CK FOR POWER ON THE PURPLE WIRE GOING TO THE STARTER SOLENOID NEXT TO THE BIG RED CABE. YOU CAN USE A TEST LIGHT OR VOLT METER,YOU SHOULD HAVE 12 VOLTS TO THIS PURPLE WIRE WHILE TRYING TO CRANK THE ENGINE. AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A GOOD BATTERY AND CLEAN CABLES...IF YOU DO THE STARTER IS BAD....LET MEK NOW,,,TOM...

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QUESTION: Good eve. Tom,

I did the tap'in of the starter...didn't change or start...also tried jump start, but am sure it's not the battery...I guess I'll be changing out the starter again and hope that's the issue now.  If not, I'll send yet another msg. and see what you thing about the starter ignition switch???   Thanks for all your time and help.   I'll be very much sure to leave a positive reply to the All experts.
Be well,
   todd

Answer
GOOD MORN TOOD,BEFORE YOU REPLACE THIS SATRTER CAN YOU CK FOR POWER AT THE PURPLE WIRE WHILE HAVING SOMEONE CRANK THE IGN KEY.[WITH TEST LIGHT OR VOLTMETER] .IF THERE IS POWER ON THIS WIRE THE PROBLEM IS IN THE STARTER. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY WAY OF TESTING FOR POWER TAKE A SMALL SCREW DRIVER AND PUT IT ACROSS THE MAIN POST OF THE STARTER [BIG CABLE TO THE PURPLE WIRE TERMINAL,] IF IT CRANKS LIKE THIS THE STARTER IS OK,IF NOT STARTER IS BAD..BY DOING THIS YOU BY PASS THE IGN SWITCH AND NEUTRAL SAFTEY SWITCH....LET ME KNW HOW THIS WORKS OUT FOR YOU,,,TOM..

PS,HI TODD,IF YOU HAVE A CHRYSLER WITH A EGR PROBLEM YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK IN THIS SERVICE UNDER DODGE REPAIR BY THE NAME  ROLAND FISTON..HE IS VERY GOOD AND FAST...GOOD LUCK,,TOM