99 Cougar 2.5 v6 5 speed will not crank

[JRG440]

I have a 99 mercury cougar 2.5 v6 5 speed that will not crank up. Push in the clutch and turn the key, and nothing. Car has power, can even push start the vehicle and it runs fine. Other that the obvious, (starter, neutral saftey switch) what else can cause this? Also, where is the neutral saftey switch located on this car? I've looked and looked and can not find it.

Thanks

[jakegday]

the battery?? it may be strong enough to power everything else except the starter....

[karro]

hello!
it's probably too late to respond, but, if dashboard lights don't dim, when starting the car, I would say, that battery is ok. IMHO, the next thing to check is the ignition switch.
IIf the car was hesitating to crank before that, like, you turn the key, nothing for some short time (up to a second, let's say), then off it goes, I'm almost sure, this is it. Also it might be related to wiring at the starter, loose contact or something.

hth,
karro