Car won't start (HELP)!!!

[pancho12]

I have a 1991 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Brougham 3.8L 232 cid that won't start. The battery is OK and the starter is fairly new. It doesn't do anything when I turn the key except my friend said he could here a very light click come from somewhere under the hood, trans area. I played with the tilt steering and the auto column shifter and it started up once but when I turned it off it won't start again. I had a new key made today hoping that was it but it wasn't. I was thinking it could be the ignition lock cylinder or the neutral safety switch but I don't want to just start buying parts without being a little more sure on what to get. Especially with the neutral safety switch for this car, it's over $100.00.

Anyone have any ideas what it could be or where I should start without running out and buying parts that I might not need. This has me stumped and any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

[Airjer_]

Do you have power going into and coming out of the ignition switch.

Have you checked for power on the small wire at the starter?

All the lock cylinder does is allow the key to turn the ignition switch. The lock cylinder itself has nothing to do with the car not cranking.

[pancho12]

If the lock cylinder is somehow messed up wouldn't it stop the connection to the starter? I followed that small wire on the starter up to the neutral safety switch to see where it was going. How would I go about checking that wire to see if it is hot? I'm no good at all with electrical, that's why I'm asking for advice.

[Airjer_]

The lock cylinder is nothing more than a mechanical device that allows the correct key to turn inside of it. That in turn moves contacts in the ignition switch that allow power to be distributed to its necessary destinations.

In your case the lock cylinder moves an actuator assembly that pulls or pushes a rod that is connected to the ignition. If the lock cylinder or actuator is not working correctly than you would notice that the dash lights are not working the same as the usually do. They would come on with the key in the run position, turn off with the key in the crank position, and turn back on after the vehicle started. Sometimes you can physically feel a difference in the way the key turns.

As far as checking for power you'll need a test light or a voltmeter and then understand how they work.

The other thing you can try is jumping the big wire on the starter to the small wire on the starter. If the starter turns over than you have an issue with wiring. if it doesn't than you need to check the starter, battery, or battery connections.

[lesab92]

I had a similar problem with a 1992 Lesabre. Does you car have the anti-theft style key?

[pancho12]

I was thinking the same thing but my key doesn't have the chip in it, just a regular GM key. Unless there was an aftermarket alarm installed then half way removed. I took the small positive cable on the starter solenoid, coming from the neutral safety switch, and tested it with a test light. Tested it with the key on start and crank, it had no power. I then unplugged the Neutral safety switch plug and tested the positive wire(s) going to the switch and again no power. So I'm figuring it has to be the ignition switch or bad wire in the column, or aftermarket alarm???