Chrysler Repair: 97 Cirrus 2.5L V6: No starter, no warning lights, instrument cluster: no warning lights, no start

Question
Vehicle will not start. No instrument cluster lights light up when turning the key on; however, when the key is turned on, the power windows and power locks function. The windshield wipers do not work. The radio does not work. Nothing clicks or anything when turning the key to start. When I turn the key to start, the lights in my door lock buttons do dim, but nothing happens. There was no previous indication of any problems. It ran fine all weekend and earlier that day.

Answer
Hi Brian,
It appears to me that the battery is discharged for a reason yet to be determined. How close to the end of its warranteed life is it? How about the interior lights, are they very bright? Do the emergency flashers blink at the normal rate and with the usual brightness?
Those are reasonable reflections of the state of the battery. You could check the clamps on the battery to make sure they are tight (be careful when handling the + post not to ground your wrench). If I am correct about the battery, then you will either want to get it recharged or replace it depending upon how close it is to the end of its life. If it is relative new battery, then we have to find out where the battery-draining circuit is located. A trunk or glove box light?
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Roland

Battery is fine. All of a sudden, we lost power to the instrument cluster, windshield wipers, and radio. We do have power to the lights, windows, door locks. We are suspicious that it may be the automatic shutdown or something to that effect. Replaced the ignition switch, still the same problem.

Hi Brian,
Thanks for that clarification. That being the case, I would check fuses 5 and 8 and 10 at the front end of the power box in the engine compartment as those are involved in the starter circuit, powertrain controller (dash light control source), radio, and wipers, among other things. If you find one or more blown it may be necessary to do some resistance measurements with a digital ohmmeter to find out if there is a short involved rather than just fuse "fatigue". So let me know what you find. Check the fuses for subtle cracks in their internal wires as well as just being frankly blown.
Roland
PS Thanks for the nomination.