"What about a jumper cable from battery directly to solenoid? I think Haynes mentioned something about that. Wouldn't that avoid the ignition as well as the battery cables altogether? Would that even start the car?"

It would if it made the solenoid work, and you had the key turned ON. But you could first try jumping battery 12V to the "Service Socket" on the firewall, the red lead with black end just behind the tranny dipstick in the picture. It leads to the starter solenoid, but goes thru the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS), which is sometimes a problem on auto tranny cars.

If that jumper doesn't work, then you could try jumpering direct to the solenoid terminal like you mentioned. To be safe, avoid making sparks at the battery by working the jumper carefully at the solenoid terminal.

Also, if you suspect the ignition switch you can check for 12V at the Service Socket with the key in the cranking position.

An Art Benstein photo, shamelessly copied.


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Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.