2001 wont crank-doesnt even try

when key is turned to on position there are no indicators lit on instrument panel like on the 1998 venture I own. radio lights and works, interior lights work, door open beeper works, heat/ac fan works. when I try to crank the radio light goes out but nothing happens. no clicking or even trying to turn over. replaced battery with new known good one I had and no difference. checked all fused both interior and under hood. swapped ignition relay with other of same type. the keys I have tried i have been using for four years. it is bothersome to me that none of the indicators on the instrument panel light when the key is turned on. any ideas?

Possibly a bad ignition switch. Get a wiring diagram and backprobe the plug under the dash with a test light to verify.

Possibly a bad ignition switch. Get a wiring diagram and backprobe the plug under the dash with a test light to verify.

Very likely, and exactly what I was thinking before I even finished reading the symtoms. I just had to replace one on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix with similair symtoms. I took the old one apart and there was an incredible ammount fo carbon build-up on the contacts.