96 Ciera no power to ignition switch

[uselesssupreme]

I have a 96 Ciera 3.1 that has power to all the constant hot
circuits, but no power to the ignition switch wires. I've checked at the three fuse links near the battery and they good. I checked at the starter and alternator too, just to be sure. Is there something between the fuse links at the battery and the swich? I just can't seem to find the spot were it's dying!

[maxwedge]

Wecome to AF, check the wiring diagrams at autozone.com repair guides. There should be large 50 amp fuses in that circuit in the under hood power distribution center.

[uselesssupreme]

Update- There IS power to the switch. I must not have been getting a good ground to the meter the first time.
Still at it. I will NOT be beaten!

[uselesssupreme]

When the ignition switch is 'off', there is 12v coming into it.
If I turn the key to 'run' the reading drops to zero.

[f1040sche]

How old is the battery? Can you play the radio? Do the gauges come on? Is this a starting problem where the engine does not crank at all?

[uselesssupreme]

The battery is good-- not sure of the age, but everything that is supposed to be hot at all times is working. Nothing that works off the switch is getting power. The switch has 12 volts on it when it's off, but the power drops out when you turn the switch.

[f1040sche]

Make sure of the condition of the battery by turning on the head lights to see if it is bright. This does not need the key to be turned on. The battery can be old, or discharged. A discharged battery can still run a volt meter, which does not draw much current, but a real load will flatten the weak battery specially if there is shorting some where. If the battery looks ok, put the ignition in the accessory position by turning it toward the back. This will allow the radio to be turned on. If the radio does not go on then check fuses, or the switch is bad or something is loose or wiring connector is disconnected somewhere along the wiring harness. If ok, turn switch to first run position which does not turn on the starter. Try turn signals. If ok, try to operate power windows if there are power windows. If power windows do not operate, battery may be weak. If ok, with automatic transmission in P or N, try to start engine by turning ignition key away one more notch. If none of these work, check fuse, loose wiring and disconnected connector blocks, shorting and the switch.

[uselesssupreme]

Originally Posted by f1040sche

Make sure of the condition of the battery by turning on the head lights to see if it is bright. This does not need the key to be turned on. The battery can be old, or discharged. A discharged battery can still run a volt meter, which does not draw much current, but a real load will flatten the weak battery specially if there is shorting some where. If the battery looks ok, put the ignition in the accessory position by turning it toward the back. This will allow the radio to be turned on. If the radio does not go on then check fuses, or the switch is bad or something is loose or wiring connector is disconnected somewhere along the wiring harness. If ok, turn switch to first run position which does not turn on the starter. Try turn signals. If ok, try to operate power windows if there are power windows. If power windows do not operate, battery may be weak. If ok, with automatic transmission in P or N, try to start engine by turning ignition key away one more notch. If none of these work, check fuse, loose wiring and disconnected connector blocks, shorting and the switch.

Thanks for your help. I've tried all those things. I'm wondering if the neutral position switch might be the problem?

[maxwedge]

Have you checked the wiring circuitry as suggested in my reply, to track voltage paths?

[uselesssupreme]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Have you checked the wiring circuitry as suggested in my reply, to track voltage paths?

I have, but all the diagrams seem pretty vague in that particular section.

[xeroinfinity]

Sounds like a bad ignition switch to me, just my

[uselesssupreme]

I put a new ignition switch in right off the bat. I have been all under the hood with no luck. I've checked the ecm. Next, I start taking the dash apart as it seems to be the only thing left.