Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Car wont start, buick lasabre, neutral safety switch

Question
Hi Van,
I own a 1988 Buick Lasabre,6cyl.3.8L.Milage:162,000.
I recently had to replace the alternator and I got a new battery.Everything was fine for a few days until suddenly it won't start.
The battery is good,all dash lights come on(including service engine soon light),wipers work and the lights are bright.
The engine is not turning over.No cranking sound is heard when I attempt to start it.No click,nothing.
What could it be and what should I check for?
Thank you for any advice.


Answer
Hello James,
The starter solenoid is either not working, or it isn't getting power from the ignition switch.
Some causes of not getting power are a blown fusible link, a bad connection, a bad ignition switch, a bad neutral safety switch, the ignition switch or neutral safety switch out of adjustment, or an open wire.
Wiggle the shift lever, and if the neutral switch is just out of adjustment, that should compensate for that, unless it is completely loose.
I would start by some wiggling, but soon after that I would try a test light at the small terminal on the starter solenoid, or jump across the solenoid terminals to test the starter and solenoid. Be careful doing that, though, because it will start in gear if it works and the car is in gear.

Van