the cause of no starts , in this case no cranks.
is best solved by testing, not guessing.
my 1st guess, is the car is A/T Oldsmoblies, don't have optional, stick shifts. so A/T it is.
that brings in the PRNDL switch on the side of the transmission.
only autos have that part.
when i see the starter only click , and it fails to JUMPER cable starting? does it>?
I hot wire the starter, 1st. i do that 1st test to be sure the starter
really works , say , bingo it does. crank now.?
does it?
if this happens, that means the KEY line is dead.! 100% fact.
so i check the voltage at the PRNDL (input and output)
and i gbet 0v not 12v, on the output of PRNDL, that means it's bad.
but wait?
but if the input to the PRNDL is dead that means the key switch is dead. hummmm, 2 tests, here, and answsers.
all with a $10 walfart volt meter, any meter made, in 100 years.
tricks:
did you wiggle both swtiches , while cranking?
did you try to start car in neutral , which uses fresh virgin
contacts in the PRNDL.>?
here is a page that shows, each step.
the 5 ways and all tests here, and works on all cars. made.
http://www.fixkick.com/nocrank.html
see the tricks here.
http://www.fixkick.com/nocrank.html#tricks
Hack jobs, happen:
the key line on some cars , have been hacked,
for aftermarket alarms.?
or remote start bs.?
for other odd reasons, so when looking at the Key line
wires, look of hack jobs. (damage, non stock mods)
recap. (always first) (jumper cables tests failed)
- Can you turn the engine over by hand?
- Can the starter be hot wired. (it wont start , just cranks)?
if yes, and yes, , then the key line is bad.
i bet i just cut the problem in half,
cheers ! do ask questions... have answers.