I cant get my 2002 Chevy Venture (passenger minivan) to start with the key. No "click" noise nada. but I can start it by "hotwire" touching battery wire to starter wire with screwdriver.

SOURCE: 1999 chevy blazer won't start

First of all make sure all your battery connections are Clean and Tight. If they are and all your dash lights come on and its not starting But its cranking over Your anti theft alarm may have gotten activated. You may have to leave your Key in the On position for 20 minutes to reset the alarm. Not cranking just in the on position, Now if its not Cranking and your hearing a clicking sound it may be your starter. I have sometimes tapped on the stater with a deadblow hammer and had someone crank it over Making sure your in park foot on brake and being EXTREMLY Carefull that you are not going to run someone over. If that don't get you going Get back to me we can do some more trouble shooting. Get that thing going for you. Thanks, Bear001

SOURCE: clicking noise when trying to start car,battery is ok, wont start

That Clicking is the Battery causing it not to Start. You need to Replace that Battery or at Least put a Charger on it for a Couple of hours to see if you can Salvage it for a While.

SOURCE: 350 Chevy starter wiring diagram needed

IF YOU HAVE A POINTS TYPE DISTRIBUTER, THE WIRING WILL BE: TO ENERGIZE THE STARTER SOLENOID A LARGE, ABOUT A NUMBER 12 OR 14 GAUGE WIRE WILL GO TO THE INNER MOST SMALL TERMINAL ON THE STARTER SOLENOID. IT MAY BE PURPLE IN COLOR. THE SECOND SMALLER WIRE SHOULD GO TO THE OUTER SOLENOID TERMINAL AND GO FROM THERE TO THE + TERMINAL ON THE IGNITION COIL. THIS IS FOR BY PASSING THE RESISTOR WIRE FROM THE STARTER IGNITION SWITCH. THE LARGER BATTERY CABLE WILL GO TO THE UPPER TERMINAL ON THE STARTER SOLENOID. THERE MAY BE AN ADDITIONAL BATTERY FEED WIRE TAKE OFF FROM THE STARTER BATTERY TERMINAL POST ON THE SOLENOID FOR OTHER ACCESSORIES. THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM (POINTS TYPE) WAS TYPICALLY DONE AWAY WITH IN 1975 WHEN THE HEI DISTRIBUTOR CAME OUT.

SOURCE: 02 Chevy Cavalier - Fast Clicking Noise When I Turn Key

if you recently replaced the battery and are continuing to have this issue, i suggest that you clean the battery terminals.

obviously your car is getting power (fast clicking indicates this) so you will need a good battery jump. also check your cables, sometimes your cables may not supply sufficient power for the recharge

SOURCE: 2002 Chevy Avalanche. Truck will not

Do a bench test on the starter. Remove starter, hook up a ground cable to starter, and positive to two prongs on starter and it should spin. You can do this in vechile too but not suggested due to risk of injury. If it doesn't spin, probally a solenoid or the starter it self. Unlikely but possible.