Starter problems on 97 Pontiac Trans Sport

Vehicle had no problems starting prior to problem. All the sudden one day after it started up fine, then there was nothing but a click in the starter. We were sitting on a hill with little to no gas and we thought that it was the gas and we were headed to the station. We rolled down the hill to flat land and there was nothing!! We checked all the fuses and put more gas in it. Tried to jump the battery thinking it was a problem there. it took like forever and we got it to barely turn just a hair then on with the clicking again. We got it started once nothing, beat on the starter and cylinoid but nothing. We had the starter checked out it was good. the cylinoid is pushing in while it is installed but it wont turn;it did turn in the test. now we changed he cylinoid and put it back in . bought a new battery, and nothing. PLEASE HELP US!! WE HAVE FOUR KIDS AND NO VAN NOW FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS!!! Thanks for your help to those who respond!

Usually if a starter tests good then the problem lies elsewhere. Did you try jumping across the terminals at the starter solenoid to see if the starter would engage that way. This sounds like either a grounding issue or an ignition switch problem. You can also go to autozone or advance and purchase a remote start switch for a few dollars. Connect it to the starter and see what happens. If it turns the car over then look at your main ground it may be corroded. The other possibility and hopefully not, the engine has locked up and the starter can't turn it. Of course this is remote.

I wonder if it could also be a weak starter or an intermitten problem. I suppose it's possible that the starter works enough to spin under no load, but loaded it doesn't.

Also, I once had an alternator in a Talon that acted like it was starting to go south. Took it out and it tested fine. Put it back in and it worked briefly, but then the symptoms came back. Repeated that process twice before it finally tested bad on the bench. Your problem could be similar. Taking it out was enough to jar things back together...barely.

Does any one know where the main ground is located on this vehile. it is very tight in the engin compartment and would be helpfull to find out where it was so that everything doesnt have to be torn out to find it??!!

Does any one know where the main ground is located on this vehile. it is very tight in the engin compartment and would be helpfull to find out where it was so that everything doesnt have to be torn out to find it??!!There are 11 ground points according to my shop manual.
G100 - Battery grounded to RH inner fender, near battery
G101 - Front of vehicle, right of LH headlamp, on front upper crossmember
G102 - RH side of engine compartment, HR inner fender, near battery
G111 - Engine compartment, left of starter, along with battery ground
G113 - Engine compartment, left of starter, along with battery ground
G117 - Engine compartment, left and above starter, near connector C111 to automatic transaxle
G200 - RH side of I/P, secured on underside of cross car beam, above park brake assembly
G301 - Secured to inside of lower LH B-pillar
G302 - Secured near base of RH B-pillar
G390 - Antenna coaxial cable secured with clamp, grounding coaxial shield to top of windshield frame, right of mirror

G100 and G102 are together as are G111 and G113. G111, G113, and G117 all appear to come out of the same wiring bundle and are bolted to the block near each other next to the starter.