OK, more info. Yesterday when it wouldn't start, when I would pull the turn signal down all the lights on the dash would go out. When I pulled up there was a loud buzzing. So...I unplugged the headlight plug and it started. Plugged the left one back in and it started. Plugged the right in and no start. I'm thinking the headlights are drawing power but why would only the right one cause no start. Seems to be posessed.....
another tidbit on the passkey that hasn't been mentioned yet - the resistance of the pill can change over time as the ridges wear on it from repeated use. So, reading your very worn key's value may not provide a correct ohm value
Both my keys read the same so that's good. I'm starting to lean on a solenoid or battery issue. The car was hit hard and with the starter/solenoid up front they were smacked as well as the battery. Maybe short in the solenoid? But....it may be more complicated communication issue. My shop manual talks about all kinds to tests to determine proper comminication between 3 systems that the car has. I put a 2 amp overnight charge on the battery and it has started today. I should just take the battery out of the equation altogether but earlier when it was acting up I tried another battery and it made no difference.
Bruce, I'm sure the link I sent you is good beyond 1996. I believe the systems are the same up through the years. In any case, you can put a test light to the solenoid terminal and determine whether the solenoid is getting the voltage signal to crank the engine. That will tell you whether it is a V.A.T.S. issue or solenoid/starter issue.
When it was running the speedo was flipping wildly around and I coundn't get it out of park. Shut it off and started back up and fine. Nextime it goes wacko again..... Yesterday when I turned the headlights on the motor dies instantly and all the dash lights go out. What could cause this? Bad gound on the computer? All seemed to start when I tightened one of the cradle bolts. It needed a couple turns and was causing a creaking.
Turned out it was the ignition switch. All is well now....even the traction control works again. Hardest part of the job was getting the tilt wheel knob off. The writeup I had said there was a black metal release tab...nope. I had the just wiggle and wrestle it out.....just took me a while to settle on that approach. It's amazing how many things this switch affects! I'm surprised there wasn't some sort of recall since putting the turn signal on killed the motor. Can't be too safe pulling out into traffic like that!!!
