I turn the key and I get radio and lights but no cranking or anything. Get it towed home and put in a new starter. Same exact problems. I buy a remote starter switch and hook it up as it says. It cranks while you hold the key down and pull the trigger of the starter switch, but no spark. Could this be the ignition switch? VATS? Coil?

 

Fusible links?

 

What exactly are those and how do i test them?

 

Fullsizewagon, is refering to i believe Fuses in Wires, or Fusible Links. As for getting no spark, Start with the Obvious Coil, Distributer, Make sure you have enough Battery, and it's just not low, from there go to Vats, because if Vats was malfunctioning it would not crank at all. but the inital seems like battery, i've had the same symptoms and put a jump on the battery and shes good to go, Also maybe your Starter Selonoid. Just a few thoughts

 

When you swapped the starter you practically had the fusible links in your hands. They are a short stretch of wire, thinner than the one it is protecting. They are located on the "thin" wires coming off the starter, just a few inces away from it. You should have power on both sides of the link. People usually pierce the insulation with the point of a test light.
I figure it's tha fuse link cuz using the remote starter bypasses the link that leads to the ignition switch, which also explains lack of spark. VATS would only give a no-crank condition I think.
Do a search, it's a common problem frequenly asked and replied to here.

 

Ok, thanks a lot!

 

If you put the key in the on position and crawl under by the starter with a screwdriver can you jump the posts on the starter selonoid and start the car that way? If you can do this and the car will run its going to be something between the ignition switch and the starter.....

 

I'll try that out next time I get the chance.