Having starting issues. When I open the doors, the courtesy lights come on, and the cigarette lighter has power. (Idk if that's relevant) when I put the key in, nothing happens. Lights don't come one, it doesn't Bing to let me know the key is in. Key turns just fine but nothing happens. Dash doesn't light up at all.
-the battery is proven good.
-I swapped the ignition switch for a new one.
-the red wire for each plug that goes into the ignition switch are getting power. The rest look like grounds?
-if I use a power plug for the ignition fuse, and send power, the dash lights up.
That's what I know at this point, and I need some help. Still nothing, the car is just sitting dead in the parking lot. I NEED my car back for work purposes. If my information is somewhat vague it's because I'm a beginner when it comes to mechanics, can get better info if you need it.

 

Maybe I should mention that the last time I started it. It ran like crap, sputtered, and if I didn't keep throttle on it would die.

 

have you checked the gages fuse (or all fuses) ?

presumably the car will not even crank to start (year/engine would be helpful, too) ?

 

A gauges fuse? Where is that? All the fuses in the fuse block are good if that's what you mean. And sorry it's a 1987 trans am gta, 5 speed with 305 tpi.

 

Correct, nothing happens at all when I turn the key. No cranking.

 

yes, that's what I meant, its labeled gages though (5 letter limit, i guess).

Power at the 2 heavy gauge red wires (ign sw) would suggest the fusible link is ok at the starter. With the key in 'run', there should be power on the heavy orange and pink wires (this powers switched ignition fuse circuits). A heavier yellow wire should have +12 during crank only (your starter wire).

If these wires do not have voltage, the ignition switch is the only barrier between
'direct' battery power and weather it goes to the fuse panel/starter or not

 

So do I test those connections with the ignition switch hooked up? Or just from the PLUGS themselves? Sorry I'm a bit of a novice.

 

the big plug on the ign sw still attached. kind of a pita to test like that but, dropping the column down (2 nuts just under the cluster) makes it a bit easier to access.

 

Pink and orange show ground when in run. And when switched to start the yellow wire flickers with .1 volt. I just used a power probe and poked the wires while everything was hooked up.

 

if you're not getting voltage through the switch, your (new) switch is bad or, the red wires do not have power to them. if the red wires are dead, you have a bad fuse link or connection a the starter.

this is the pink wire, key in run position....

 

How do I check the wires at the starter? I tried swapping out the switch with another new one, and I've got nothing still.

 

If the fuse link is smoked at the starter, it will crumble/fall apart wit a light tug on it. The link wire is designed to burn up for the most part.

The red wires are direct +12 from the battery term. at the starter. No power on these wires = no ign switched power to car or, starter. Always hot items, lighting, cig lighter have separate power circuits and aren't affected.