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Check your battery cables and clamps for corrosion at both the battery, the engine block, and the starter connections. What happens when you try to crank the engine with the headlamps on? If the lights dim or go out, check the battery charge and the cables and ground connections. If the lights do not dim it is probably the starter or solenoid. Try jumping 12 volts to the small wire connector plugged in on the starter solenoid. If the engine cranks now, your problem is in the ignition switch or reverse/neutral start switch on the auto trans shifter assembly. Because you are getting a ticking sound at the starter when you hit the ignition switch, chances are almost nil that the switch is bad. This should give you a few places to check. Good luck getting the brick running again!