I have starter problems with my 2003 Chevy Venture?

Question

Alright, I posted this in the wrong place last time. Background: I have had starting problems with my Venture now for the past month-month and a half. Sometimes it starts sometimes it doesn't. When I turn the key to the "on" position, I get full power to the dash, radio and fans. When I turn to the "start" position, I get nothing. I pulled the starter out myself brought it the auto-part store for testing - it tested with no problems. This problem happened every 3 or 4 days to start, had an oil change and went about two weeks with no problems (coincedence?) then it started happening again. Now two days ago, it stopped and I have been trying every day with no success - no start at all power to everything. I pulled the starter off, but before I did that, I was under the vehicle and had my wife try start, there wasn't even a click at the starter. I took the starter out again and had it tested again - still no problem with the starter. Can anyone offer any advice?

By the way, I have checked the battery, battery cables, and even tried starting in neutral (possible neutral safety switch??), but still no start. I want to avoid the $100 charge from the dealer if at all possible.

If there is a theft deterent system, I am unaware of it. The only thing that would come close is the little red light blinking by the radio.

Answer 1

Neutral safety switch is bad or ignition switch is bad or misaligned or both switches bad...test for power at the neutral safety when key is turned on and try wiggling the shifter up and down in park position as if you're shifting to a different gear. Ignition switches can sometimes come out of position with the rod that engages them from the ignition cylinder where the key goes in. There's usually two screws holding the switch to the column that can be loosened and adjust the switch up or down the column to properly line up with the rod...the rod should engage the switch in the right position when the key is in the start position. If you can, manually move the rod with the key in the on position to see if it goes all the way to crank position or hangs up.Could also be a bad wire connection but I think it's one of the switches....just test for power from the starter back or the ignition switch forward through the circuit to pin down what's bad.

Answer 2

Chevy Venture Starter

Answer 3

Gotta test light? If so put it on the small wire at the starter and have someone try to start it. If the tester lights up, the the solenoid is sticking in the starter motor.

Answer 4

I had this sort of problem with a car and traced it to a bad relay. Look for a connecter block in the engine bay with several black cubes about 1.25 inches cubed plugged into it. Each one contains a relay that switches the electricity on to something. They were so inexpensive I replaced all of them with ones from NAPA and never had another problem.

Answer 5

need more imfo. car prob has theft deterent system and the wire in the column is broke to the key start mechanism if I am guessing right.

Answer 6

i could be in the steering coulum. when you turn and hold the key in start normaly the eveything else in the car turns off. there is a rod that is in the coulum that open/closes a circut when the key is turned it might be that circut

Answer 7

I could desire to trust Karthryn,i think you maximum probable have a vaccum leak and / or certainly one of those sensor she referred to. by potential of how replace out your gasoline clear out and it does not injury to alter the spark plugs.(verify those vaccum hose's)