It's an automatic 1995. When I turn the key, to start i get some lights on the instrument cluster and the center console, and the radio turns on. On the instrument cluster the lights are super dim to the point you have to get really close to see them. except for "change oil" and "door ajar" (the door is open ofc). This may be a different issue entirely, I'm not sure. But when i would try to crank the car, nothing would happen. no clicks no nothing. i opened up the dash and replaced the ignition switch (it was super rusty along with everything else under the dash) and the starter relay. I also sprayed some electrical cleaner from wd-40 on the relay to handle the corrosion. now, when i try to crank the car, there is a small click from the relay and nothing else. we have jumped the starter and it worked fine. i used a test light on the purple wire that goes to the starter where it was knicked a little by the previous owner and it lit up. i haven't been able to be under the car in a while because of all the constant rain, so i cant test the purple wire where it connects to the starter. Long story short the car wont crank, the starter relay clicks, the starter itself works, and i replaced the starter relay and ignition switch. While I'm here, my grandpa says the cable that connects to the shifter is stuck or broken or something. probably rust. It stops me from removing the key unless i hold down a button behind the steering wheel, but it goes back up when you start the car. what is it called so i can get a new one or look into how it works.

 

On the dash when you open the door, your security light will flash. If you insert an incorrect VATS key, the light will go solid. If the key is the correct VATS the light will go out. What is your car doing.

as far as the dimness on the center LCD screen, it os a typical issue with the polarization screen breaking down.

 

Well, I’ve never even seen the security light. And I always have the door open. The door itself is slightly off so that it doesn’t close. They did this so that they can’t get locked out of the car back when it didn’t work at all. Also, the key is always in the car. Because of that issue where it gets stuck in the ignition.

 

a volt meter is needed to verify that the dim dash is LED failure vs battery failure. Also check your ground cables. A loose (not broken) connection will pass current for a test light/meter but under the load of a starter will fail. Clean and tighten battery cables. One other possibility is the solenoid on the starter motor. The contacts can burn over time and not pass enough current to crank.

 

it was just a loose ground, the one connected to the transmission. thought i had tightened it but as soon as i touched it i remember why i didn’t. it was like touching an ancient relic. i had to raise hell to tighten it.