70 DeVille - No ignition problem

[dgp_naples]

My 1970 DeVille decided to not start a few weeks ago. There is no ignition whatsoever, so I get no crank. The dash lights come on and nothing else. I have checked the wiring and terminals to the starter and solenoid. I installed a new ignition switch and even changed the neutral safety switch. Nothing. The battery is new and I have the 12volts at the starter cable.

ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THE GOOD THING IS THE CAR IS IN MY GARAGE IN FLORIDA, SO I HAVE GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

[TJ Hopland]

Do you mean you turn the key and the only thing that happens is some of the 'idiot lights' come on?  No clicks under the hood?   Does the heater fan turn on to its low speed?   When you changed the ignition switch did you try by pushing directly on the switch, not using the key to actuate the switch?  Headlights work?

I dont have a 70 manual but typical GM for that era would be 3 fusible link wires coming off the battery terminal side of the starter solenoid.   1 link feeds the headlight switch.  1 feeds the always on side of the fuese box and the other feeds the key switch that then feeds the other side of the fuse box when the key is on.   Due to their location (low near road debris, moisture, and hot exhaust parts) this would be the first place I would be looking.   Another place to look (it may be in the same area anyway) is the ground strap between the body and engine.

[Dave Shepherd]

Good info, the basic diagnostics for this seem not  to have been done  though, do you have 12v at the purple solenoid wire in the crank position.

[76eldo]

Did you try to jump 12 volts directly to the starter?

I would start with the most obvious thing, which could very well be a bad starter and/or solenoid.

Brian

[Otto Skorzeny]

Test the battery too. New doesn't mean a thing these days. Try to start another car with it.

[Gunnar]

Also check the battery cables, I had a very similar problem on my 73 and it was the negative battery cable.