Engaging the Starter

If the starter works on the bench and you are manually energising the solenoid (to the little terminal) then it should work on the car if the battery is good and all the wiring and ground connections are good.

Shorting the two large solenoid terminals will just switch on the motor without engaging the pinion.

In your position I would have fitted a temporary starter switch until I found time to sort the problem out.

I suggest you remove the column shroud to expose the ignition switch wiring and bridge the supply to the starter terminal and if it starts the ignition starter switch (or the internal drive) is faulty and if it doesn't there is a wiring problem between the switch and the starter.

Replace the starter solenoid on the fire wall. If you jump it and still no turning. replace the starter..

I would suspect the ignition switch. Power has to be getting to the starter solenoid to activate it. See if you can disconnect the power going into the switch, If the problem stops,.... solved. If problem persists, look for loose wire that could be shorting at the solenoid.

There is a white plastic slider inside the steering column the pin fell out the new part is about 20 dollars but you do have to Disasseble the column sounds harder than it is

The pin on the back side of the key may be sheared or the "push" lever may not be moving. Lower your steering column to check.

You first need to determine if the starter solenoid is good. Rub a jumper cable from the positive battery terminal to the large pole on the solenoid - the solenoid is the small cylinder mounted to the starter. Now take a flat blade screwdriver and cross it from the large terminal with the jumper cable on it to the small terminal next to the large on the solenoid. If the starter engages then your solenoid / starter assembly is good and the problem may be either the neutral safety switch or the mechanical ignition switch. The neutral safety switch is typically mounted to the transmission and sometimes can be bypassed, but not always - I had an old Dodge truck that the safety switch could not be bypassed. The ignition switch is mounted to the top of the steering column and you will need to lower the column from the dash to gain access to it. A chiltons repair manual can guide you to the location of your Safety switch and should have test procedures listed for both components or you can go to
www.alldata.com
and pay a fee for the information. I recommend you print out all the info you need from alldata as it is a single access license you pay for. If the solenoid test does not activate the starter then you will need to replace the solenoid and / or starter solenoid combination.
Hope this helps and please rate my solution!!

This is just a suggestion. Make sure it is all the way in park there is a safety fetcher in the shifter.

your Ignition Switch is bad here is how to replace it
The ignition switch is usually mounted to the steering column and is operated by a linkage rod.
NOTE On column-mounted ignition switches, don't confuse the switch with the lock cylinder and keys. The ignition switch is not normally visible. On some vehicles, the steering column support has to be removed and the column lowered to find the ignition switch. On others, the switch is accessible under the dash.
The ignition switch is operated by the key switch. Courtesy of Ford Motor Company. To replace the switch:

• Remove the ignition switch wiring harness.
• Unbolt it from its position.
• Bolt the new switch into position.
• Attach the witing harness.

This is for the requested item:

Removal & Installation

1. If necessary, make sure you have the radio code.
   
2. Place the steering wheel in the center (wheels straight ahead) position.
   
3. Disarm the SRS system, as outlined in the Chassis Electrical System.
   
4. Make sure the negative battery cable is disconnected.
   
5. Remove the steering wheel, as outlined in this section.
   
6. Remove the upper and lower steering column switch trim. Refer to the Turn Signal (Combination) Switch or Multi-function switch procedure for details.
   
7. Disconnect the multi-pin connector from the ignition/starter switch.
   
8. Remove the locking fluid (paint) from threaded holes of screws.
   
9. Loosen the two screws slightly, and pull ignition/starter switch out from steering lock housing in direction shown.
   

Remove the locking fluid (paint) from threaded holes of the screws (A). Loosen the two screws (A) slightly, then pull the ignition/starter switch out from steering lock housing in direction of the arrow


To install:

1. Push the ignition/starter switch into steering lock housing.
   
   NOTE When installing the ignition/starter lock switch ensure that the ignition/starter lock switch and the lock cylinder are in the same position, e.g. "ignition on".
   
   
2. Tighten screws and seal securing holes with sealant D2.
   
3. Connect multi-pin connector to ignition/starter switch.
   
4. Install steering column switches, steering wheel trim and steering wheel, as outlined in this section.
   

Use a test light and check at the starter solenoid and see if the ignition start wire gets hot when the key is turned to start. If it does check to see if current then goes thru the solenoid to the starter. If it does check to see if current gets to the starter, if it gets to the starter the starter is bad. If no current to the starter or out of solenoid the solenoid is bad. If current does not get to the solenoid when switch is turned, check and see if the current goes thru the neutral safety switch (Clutch switch if not automatic). If the current doesn't go thru the switch replace the switch. If you are not getting current to the switch in the first place check the ignition switch. If the current doesn't come from the ignition switch to the safety switch replace the ignition switch.