2000 chev wont start at key

Battery
Starter Solenoid
Bad Starter

Any number of things

No internet site or a guessing-- will be of any value
to you

The vehicle has to be in the hands of folks that know how
to do the proper testing, to find a problem,always been that
way with any product

From the ignition switch there is a yellow wire that is for the starter. probe it when trying to start. If you have no voltage replace the switch. Also, I believe there is a fusible link in the wire by the starter. It will be a different color than purple. Probe on the back side of it to see if there is voltage at start up. If so, replace with the smae color link.

When key is turned the starter is energized by a solenoid that applies power directly from the battery to the starter. Any loose connection will prevent the starter from turning over. The solenoid can also have burnt spots on the contacts inside case that will prevent current from getting to the starter. A click noise is the solenoid energizing so
if all connections are tight and the battery is good the only
other problem is the starter may be bad. Brushes on the
starter may have seen their life ended. this is usually identified by tapping on starter with a hammer while trying to start engine. If starter spins, replacement is needed.

Could be the starter solenoid.
The key switch sends power to the solenoid thru the neutral safety switch. You would need to check for power on the purple wire at the solenoid when the key switch is in the start position.

Turn the headlights on and watch them while the key is turned to start. If the lights go out, one of your cables or connections at battery or starter is not good. If lights dim a lot but stay on, possibly a bad starter, it needs testing. If lights aren't affected by cranking position, turn lights off, pull the small wire off the starter solenoid, hook up a test light to ground and to the solenoid wire. Light should come on when key is held in crank. If it does, likely a bad starter solenoid. If no light, then the start circuit from ignition switch to starter solenoid is not working. Check for power out of ignition switch on the start wire with key in crank, to begin with. If powered, switch is good, need to check if neutral safety switch is good, and then check or swap in a new starter relay.
Post back with any results.
Good luck.

starter different from battery. radio lights come on so the battery has at least enough power to turn on the radio. Does it have enough power to supply minimum voltage and amps to the starter? A whole different story here.
Jump it. If it starts its the battery. If not, check: 1) 60a starter fuse, start relay, voltage at starter when attempting to start with key( two people required) and finally, run 12v directly to starter from known good battery to determine if starter/solenoid is good

That might be a possibility. Asssuming when you say it wont start you mean it won't crank over. First check battery voltage at the battery with a dvm when you turn the key to the start position. Then check the voltage at the starter when you turn the key to the start position. If both readings are the same and you must have a reading of at least 12dcv. Try turning the ignition key to the on position( not the start) and jump the positive voltage from the starter to the solenoid terminal. The starter should crank over if the proper voltage is present.If the starter just clicks or just attemps to start. yes, you need to replace your starter

This may sound a bit simple but check the starter solenoid function by running an external wire to the thin wire terminal from the positive post on the battery.

If the starter does nothing then the starter is bad.

What your describing is a typical solenoid / starter problem. Given the car is now 10 year old, it is quite possible that either the solenoid or starter has failed.

Thanks for using FixYa!

Kelly

Sounds like a bad starter solenoid, usually cheapest and easiest to replace the starter and solenoid as a unit. It is always best to check for power between the solenoid and the starter with a test light, if the solenoid clicks but the test light doesn't light up you have found the problem in the solenoid.

When you turn the ignition key to the start position you apply 12 volts to the solenoid. The solenoid is a relay switch that closes when you turn the key to the start position. When it closes It applies 12 volts to the starter motor.The starter motor draws a lot of electrical current, (so much so that they could not run that current thru the ignition switch, so they use the solenoid) What you hear clicking is the solenoid closing, or trying to close.I assume that "*****clicking" as you define it is a chatter rather then one click.

Possible causes: A low battery voltage. Has the battery been replaced in the last few
years few years. Try charging over night and see what happens
Bad connections on the battery terminals. Check for any white powder on and around the battery terminal. Use baking soda and water to clean the terminals (it'll fizz) then clean theem with a terminal brush. You can get one at any auto store
Bad connection on the starter solenoid
If it a manual shift, there is usually a kill switch somewhere on the shift mechanism
that prevents the starter from working if the car is in gear and the clutch is out
In automatic shifter the kill switch is in the shift selector mechanism so you can't start the car unless you are in park.

Hope this helps Lood luck Loringh