Chevrolet Repair: Start up, neutral safety switch, starter solenoid

Question
1999 Chevy S-10 Pickup, Auto/Trans., 4-cylinder. I've had it approx. 2 1/2 yrs. w/o any major problems. Although, recently when I start it of a morning to go to work, it'll usually do fine. But, by the time I drive about 13 blocks to the store, kill it, come back out to start it up to go on to work, it does absolutely nothing. The radio works, lights work etc...I can usually continue flipping the key back and forth continuously, & eventually it will start. Someone told me it may be the Neutral Safety Switch. How do I get to this switch to check it, & how will I tell if that is the problem? BTW, I took it to Auto Zone to have them run their tester & was told that if the Check Engine Soon light isn't coming on, then their test wouldn't tell us anything. My CES light IS NOT coming on. PLEASE, can someone help me to get to the bottom of this annoying & embarrassing dilemma?

Thank You In Advance,
Taressa


Answer
Hello Taressa,
The neutral safety switch is a possibility. Usually shifting the shift lever a few times will cause it to make contact.
It is adjustable, and is on the steering column, above the floor mat.
Another possibility is the ignition switch, which is also located in that general area.
Third, the starter solenoid. It needs pretty much full battery voltage to it through the neutral switch and ignition switch. Voltage can be measured there, and if it isn't getting there, those switches, or their associated connections and wires are all possibilities.
The solenoid itself could also be the problem. If the full 12 volts is getting to the small terminal when the switch is in start, then the solenoid is probably the problem.
That is where you need to start your testing.
First, make sure all the connections are clean and tight.

Van