I have a 94 Astro that will not start. When you turn the key, you get nothing, not even a click from the engine. The battery tests good. I removed the starter, it tested good, I put it back, and it worked for about a week, then nothing again. I replaced the solenoid and used a kit to rebuild the starter, field tested good, still nothing when it is in the van. I tested the wire from the battery, constant voltage. The purple wire from the ignition to the small post has voltage only when the key is turned, as it should be. I even tried a jumper wire from the battery to the small terminal thru a switch, still will not start. There is another wire that attached to the larger post, it does not carry voltage when disconnected from the starter, not sure if it is supposed to. Chilton's shows it going to the ignition switch, specifically to a section called "batt." Not sure how/where/what to test on this wire.

Any clues on what to try next? We live out of town, and trying to get by with 1 vehicle does not make for a happy home front. Thanks for any ideas.

 

I suspect you are referring to the wire that is attached to the same post on the starter that the cable from the battery is attached to as well ?
It only will have 12 volts when attached to the cable from the battery not when it's disconnected. This wire brings the battery voltage to the ignition switch and it seems to work since you mentioned there is 12 volts on the purple wire with the key on.

The first thing is make sureboth the battery cables are clean and free of corrosion as well the wires at the starter.

See if it will start in neutral ... it's possible the neutral / park safety switch is faulty.