I have a strange issue. When I put the key in I have no power to the dash, no lights, no start or anything. But when I plug in the battery I can hear the fuel pump relay click, and when the key is in the ignition and the door is open the bell rings.
Would this be an issue with the ignition switch/lock cylinder?
Also what exactly runs through the ignition switch?
I have a 91 firebird GTA with the 305

 

Sounds like a fusible link at the starter.

Everything that the ignition switch switches, runs through it. Everything that the ign sw doesn't switch directly, doesn't. Pretty simple really. HVAC, stereo, starter, etc.; go through the sw. Headlights, brake lights, door dinger, power mirrors, etc., don't.

So, no, your problem cannot possibly be the ign sw.

There are 2 fusible links at the starter, and one (or more) at the battery. The ones at the starter handle the vast majority of the car's systems. The ones near the batt are smaller and handle little bits of it; one for the ECM, and one for the headlight motors (but not the lights themselves), most likely. The 2 at the starter each handle about half of the car, in no particular pattern of division. So for example you might find that the headlight sw and ign sw are on one of them (that was the case in my Camaro) but LOTS of other things are on the other. Brake lights, power seats, hatch popper, etc. I don't know butt that's basically how it's wired, in principle. One of those is fried. It'll be something like this, maybe not this size, butt like it. https://www.autozone.com/electrical-...wire/32376_0_0