Not turn over or not crank at all? What exactly happens when you turn the key?

If the answer is "not crank at all", has anyone looked at the Neutral Safety Switch? Has anyone tried jiggling the shift knob prior to starting or tried to start it in neutral instead of park?

 

I don't understand all these "local repair shops" that can't do basic troubleshooting. Are they unable to duplicate the problem or are they unable to figure it out? My first suspicion would be the neutral safety switch (also called transmission range position sensor) but it could be several things.

When it doesn't crank, try moving the gear selector into neutral and see if it starts. If that doesn't help they try a block of wood and tap on the starter. Starter and range switch are the most common causes of no crank if the battery is OK.

 

Not crank at all. Where is the neutral safety switch?
I have not tried jiggling the shift knob (talking about the stick that moves it from park to reverse?) nor tried to start it in neutral.

 

Read this:

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-neutral-safety-switch

 

No offense taken. No one has been able to to duplicate it. It's really frustrating. I'll try what you all have suggested.

 

Duplication is a problem for all technicians. The neutral safety switch is a pretty common failure on the 05-06. If you google it you'll find some videos out there on how to change it. If you have over 130K it's probably 50/50 that it's that or the starter. Throw a wooden stick in the back of the van that will reach down to the starter. The next time it does it try moving the selector through all the gears and back and/or try starting it in neutral. If that doesn't make it start then get your stick and whack the starter. One of those solutions will probably make it start and will tell you what to replace.

How about some history of the vehicle? How many miles? Has it had the starter replaced before? If so, what kind of starter? Rebuilt/remanufacturred? New? Anything else that will help give some clues.

Below is the starting circuit. If you have any knowledge of simple wiring diagrams, you can see how simple it is. My checks above require no tools. If you have some tools, like a test light or volt meter, you could actually pull the small black/white wire off the starter and check to see if it's getting 12 volts with the key in the crank position when the problem is manifesting. If it's not getting 12 volts then it's either the ignition switch, the starter cut relay, or the neutral safety switch. If it's getting 12 volts but the starter isn't responding then it's likely the starter (solenoid) or the battery cables.

http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/Wd/DownloadPdf?id=127868

 

Does the solenoid engage ?
I have replaced the motor contacts in two different starters that had the same pattern.
When the solenoid engages it moves the gear into the flywheel gear and also makes the connection to the starter motor. Old starters may have worn connectors that don't always work.

 

Let's make sure all the connections between battery and starter are clean, rustfree, oil and gunk free.
Yes those things matter.
Assume battery is healthy since it starts when cold.
Additional items to consider is the ignition key switch wearing out.

 

Found a bad connection to the battery. The 4th shop I took it to (got frustrated this past weekend and gave it one more try) changed out the connection and it works (for now). I'll update if it stops. Thanks for your help.