'97 astro won't start and dashboard lights off

[santiag]

Hi,
Last week we went to downtown on my '97 astro, we were parking when suddenly engine died. I tought i was fuel pump because I replaced it about 3 months ago (and this is not first time it fails) and it didn't work. Towing it to home started checking fuses and relays. a 20amp fuse failed and replaced but still no starts. we disconected battery and reconected (this time fuel pump works!!) but no ignition yet. With a multimeter, we found that sparks don't receive current to fire. Other simptoms are: lights and gauges of dashboard no working when key turns on (battery, oil, temp, etc); electric doors doesn't work too.
somebody with a similar problem?? some suggestions?
best regards

[Blue Bowtie]

Closely inspect the main power node at the fuse center under the hood. Check all the connections under load for voltage drop. The ring terminals and fuse bussing can become corroded and create your symptoms. You can probe the fuses at the small holes in the top without removing them to check for power.

[kidneystone]

Have you had the battery tested for a dead cell? Sometimes
a dead cell can be hard to detect and will produce these symptoms.
Also I have seen the ground cable from the battery look good but
actually be bad. I prefer fine stranded cable vs hard line cable.

Try this.... with key off turn on the light. Do they work? If so
turn key to the accessory position and turn on radio and fans.
Does it kill out? If so you have a dead short or bad ground cable.