My 96 won't crank. The battery is less than a year old and charged. When I turn the key to start the dome light does not dim, but I get nothing. All the dash alerts fire up, but that is it. I checked the battery posts for dirt or build-up and checked the cables. I checked fuses in the boxes (don't know if there are any in-line fuses). I replaced the starter solenoid, but still nothing! I have heard of a way to jump the starter from the battery + post to the "S" post on the solenoid, but have not done that before and was not sure (did not want to further waste things). Don't know about the ignition switch or neutral switch (I moves the shifter back and forth alot to free up the switch if it was somehow off, but nothing.

The only clue I had before this happened, was the night before, the last time it started, it sounded a little sluggish just for a second before it started. The next day it was in the state it is now.

Any ideas?

 

Try putting the car in Neutral and starting it. If it starts, then its a defective neutral safety switch. Have you tried taping on the starter with a hammer or wrench? If you tap it and it starts, then you have a bad spot on the brushes in the starter.

You can run a jumper wire from the small wire on the starter to the battery. When you turn the key, it gives this wire 12V of power to complete the circut, and makes the starter do its thing. If you jump it, make sure the key is switched to on. If it starts, you either have an open in that circut, or a problem with the igntion switch. You can also check the small wire by hooking a test light to it and have some on turn the key. If it lights up, then it probably a defective starter. Also, make sure the starter is making good contact with the block. This is the ground for the starter. If its all covered in crap, your starter may not be getting a good ground connection.

I have seen starters start just fine, then try to start the car an hour later and it won't do anything due to a defective starter.

 

I have tried the neutral switch check, by putting it in neutral, but still nothing. I have also tried tapping the starter, which did not help.

I will try the jumper wire tests (I had not done that before, but read it in the shop manual), but just wanted to confirm that it works and will not mess with anything.

Thanks!

 

did you check how clean the battry terminals are? did you check if the starter sylinoid is getting power to it? afther you check those go from there a battery and others leading to the starter is more economical to check and the battery is the first sign of falure do to the colder months. what i mean a bad cell in the battery it would show voltage and wont crank the starter. it will be the first look and a easy to go looking over do to at voltege and no cranking amps