92 Grand AM wont start or turn over

[ccnova]

My daughters car a 1992 Grand AM SE with 2.3 quad 4 will not turn over. She had driven to a friends house and shut it off later went to leave turned key nothing happens. The friends dad came out popped the hood and said the starter was smoking. He unhooked the battery cabe and they called me. I trailered it home took off starter had it tested at Advance auto and they said it was smoked. Bought new starter put it on and while still on jackstands tried it and it started right up. I took it off jack stands and cleaned up got back in to drive it out and turned key and nothing..... It would not do anything at all. rechecked everything all wires etc couldnt find anything wrong. Next morning after Church I get in and turn key just to see what happens and it turns over maybe twice then just quits like someone turned off a switch just nothing at all. Battery is OK all dash lites work shift indacator works. radio turn signals etc all ok. I did notice that when I turn the key to start the brake lite comes on but goes off when releasing the key to run position. Also the steering wheel does not always lock when the key is out. I have tried to get at the key switch but cant get the trim collar between steering wheel and dash off. Does anybody have any ideas? Sorry for the long post and thanks for the help.
ccnova

[crazy Jim]

your battery has a dead cell. Even though the dash lights come on the battery cant produce enough amperage to crank the engine over.

[ccnova]

I tried jumping it first no luck also tried another battery just to be safe. My daughter has since told me that once or twice in the past she would turn the key and nothing would happen but then release it and turn it again and it started. Thats why I am trying to get at the ignition switch. But I cant figure out how to remove the collar between the wheel and dash. It looks like the wheel might have to come off to do this. I also am going to try to hook up my old style remote start switch to the starter and see what happens.
ccnova

[ccnova]

OK been busy getting kids off to college etc. Have a little time to work on this again now. I am getting no power to the starter solenoid when the key is turned to the start posistion. Where should I start to diagnose this problem? I cant seem to get the trim collar between steering wheel and the dash off to get at the ignition switch can anybody tell me how? It seems as though I might have to take off the steering wheel? any suggestions? 1992 Grand AM SE Auto trans 2.3 quad. Thanks for any help.
ccnova

[ccnova]

Ok got my wife to turn the key to the "start" position and held a voltage test lite on the solenoid terminal and no voltage. I do have voltage at the battery terminal on the starter though. Would this be the ignition switch? and how do I access it on a 1992 Pontiac Grand AM SE with Auto trans and 2.3. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
ccnova

[xeroinfinity]

Hey ccnova, it could be a fused link by the starter, make sure they are nice and even , they buldge when the link gets blown.

Here is a link for the ignition switch removal.