ok. ive got a 1998 3800sc in my '84. the wiring was just finished and everything seems to work fine. lights, fuel pump, everything. but when i go to crank the engine nothing happens. and i mean nothing. not a click or whirr or anything. and the battery doesn't seem to be losing power no matter how many times i try to crank it.

obviously it seems like something got wired wrong. but as far as i can tell it looks fine. i heard something about the neutral safety switch. could that be it? how do you test that?

any other suggestions?

Yes, the neutral safety switch is wired differently depending on whether you have a manual or automatic transmission. The first part of the circuit is the same though:

On an '84 the power runs from the battery to the starter solenoid BAT terminal which serves as a junction block for fusible links A and B. The starter solenoid power is fed through fusible link A on a red wire up to the ignition switch. From ignition switch terminal S (big yellow wire) the power is then routed depending on which transmission you have.

For a manual: The power runs along the big yellow wire to the clutch pedal switch pin A, and comes out the purple wire on pin B when the clutch pedal is depressed. From there, the purple wire is routed to the starter solenoid.

For an automatic: The power runs along the big yellow wire to the transmission-mounted gear selector switch (pin F). The transmission must be in park or neutral for the power to be transferred to the big purple wire coming out of pin G. That purple wire runs to the starter solenoid.

First thing I'd check is that the fusible link is actually attached to the starrter solenoid or some other main battery source. Then check for 12V at both big red wires at the ignition switch. If that's OK, then, check the continuity of the path from there to the starter solenoid following the circuit that's applicable above. If you're not sure how to test the continuity of the circuit, just post again and I or someone else can walk you through it.

HAHA! it was hooked up to the wrong post. duuuuhhh! hey they look the same. but its fine now.