Lumina Van '94 Check Engine Light- How to

Hello, i am having problems with my Van, it will crank but will Not start, I have No idea what the problem is, i checked all fuses and they seem to be okay. I do Not know what else to check.

One thing i also notice was the lights on the panel. They do Not turn on when switching with the key. No Check Engine light, or the battery meter thing will Not move at all, No lights at all, the only light that turns on is the safety belt dude)..

I got this scanner from autozone, but the pins didnt touch any ports or teminals.

the guy told me that there was another way to check it, that i had to short with a clip or some terminals, but he didnt have the book so he couldnt tell me which terminals to short. I am not so sure that that will work since the Check engine light doesnt turn on. (i think soemthing is burned, a fuse, or something) but just for later referance, if you guys know which terminals to short to get the codes please let me know..

and if you guys know what can be the problem with my van id be more than happy and greatful =)

thanks

probably a bad ground, maybe inline fuse, check to see if injectors are clicking when cranking it over- put a screw driver on one and listen on the other end

This is what happened. My switch (the thing where you put the key in and turn it on turn the car on) was like stuck, i couldnt turn it, so my cousin came over and tried to turn it on directly from the starter. He said that sparks were coming while trying to bridge two connectors or screws from the starter with a screw driver. Then he tried again, after he did this, the car would crank but no longer start. Minutes later i fixed the key switch so now im able to turn the key all the way but the car would do the same it will crank but not start. Prior to bridging the starter to turn it on directly, the car panel (where the speedometer is) would turn on (check engine, oil light, the battery, battery meter and all that would work [we had the Radiator FAN directly, so when you would turn on the switch the fan would start working], all this used to work prior to doin the starter thing. Now when i try to start the van, Non of the lights will go on, (check engine, oil, battery etc..) and the fan no longer turns on. I am positive that the problem was caused by the bridgin of the starter. and im sure that some fuse or relay or something burn. but i checked all fuses and they all seem to be okay (relays i do not know how to check, i have a multimeter, but dont know how to check them)

i checked the injector, as mentioned in the previous post, but i couldnt hear the clicking noise due to the car cranking noise. (it was loud, its a van)

i want to check with a code tester and see what the problem can be but, since the check engine light doesnt turn on, i am not able to check it. if theres another way to check it please let me know.

if you guys have a possible solution to this please let me know, im desperate to fix this, this is my van that i use for work. and im in urgent need to fix this. I had a mechanic come over, but didnt find problem.

thanks guys i will be checking for posts, hopefully with an answer to my solution =)

once again thanks, oh yea one thing if u dont understand part of the story let me know i will try to clarify it to my best. English is my second language and yup =)

ok i just found that that "the key switch, or thing" is called the ignition switch.

im just stating this so you guys will understand me better =)

What engine type? 3.1 or 3.8?
YOu started with an ignition switch oddity...so clear that option first. Verify (with KEY ON) if you have 12V at the alternator exciter wire.... the pink/white lead on thais diagram. www.avigex.ca/xport/chargingstarting.jpg
IF not, use a jumper to Apply 12v to that wire then try starting.
THe ignition switch itself is way down low on the steering column, and tied with a rod to the actual ignition barrel. YOu need not dismantle the steering to get to the switch....a problem that occurs rather often.
COdes are a little complicatede to get from the '94 because you cannot flash it like '93 and before, nor use an OBD2 reader, as this is still an OBD1 but using OBD2 codes...

i second the the ign switch after read your second post, your right - it is really hard to hear the clicking of the injectors when cranking it w/ the starter. there is led lights you can stick in the circuit, that would tell you if the ecm(computer) is alive and just your dash is not functioning properly.
start with the ign switch,just "hot" wire it to see if its that and not something else.

I already fixed the problem :P, the problem was the ingition switch on the bottom of the steering wheel (the electronic switch thing) that is attatched on the columb where the cables go. i tried to turn it on directly by bridging the connections and it would turn on normal. So i went and got it and replaced it and now its working. =)

thanks for all the help.