Why won't vehicle start when key inserted in ignition? Bell sounds but ignition won't engage.makes no sound at all

check the starter relay .if it is good check voltage to starter in the start positon. if you have battery voltage suspect starter

We'll go from the more obvious to more complex:
- Is the battery charged
-are battery terminals clean
- are battery cables tight on ALL connections, including starter, ground
- Do the lights and accessories come on
- when ignition switch is turned to start, is there a clicking sound (this would be the starter solenoid engaging)
-Does vehicle have a security system that when engaged prevents it to start
- Did this problem exist before or did it just appear abruptly.
-check fuses
-put shifter lever in N -try to start( possible bad neutral safety switch)
-

Did you try starting in neutral? Some vehicles have electronic transmission lockouts that will go bad and prevent ignition cycling even when it is not in gear.

This actually does sound like the battery is low on charge. A battery which is quite low on charge will still light the headlights and run many other electrical accessories, but will not engage the starter (which requires much more power than other accessories).
I would start by making sure that an electrical device, such as interior lights, glove box lights, trunk light or something else has not been left on. Then carefully jump start the engine. It is also possible that the battery might need to be replaced for not holding a charge.

Sounds like a loose connection. Check all battery and starter connections for clean and tight connections.

Hello,
First check your battery connections. After that check all other connections on the starter and alternator to insure that you have a uninterrupted power feed. A loose connection can make this sound. If all connections are solid and free of corrosion then sounds to me like the bendix on your starter is stuck or otherwise not engaging the flywheel. When you turn the key on your ignition the bendix on the starter pops out and spins the flywheel turning the vehicle over. If you put a new battery in your vehicle and the connections are all good then you will need to replace your starter.
Regards, Tony

this sounds like a dead battery or bad battery connection. start by having the battery test and go from there, but this does sound like a battery or battery connection.

The component is a starter. When you insert your key into the ignition and turn it, you switch on the power to the coil and vehicle computers. By turning the key to the start position it will supply power to the starter and solenoid which cranks the engine until you release the key allowing to return to the ignition on position. If the battery is weak the starter solenoid may engage producing a clicking sound, but it will not crank the engine. Another test is to turn on the dome light and try to start the vehicle, if you see the dome light dim when you are trying to start the car the battery is weak or the starter has a short. Starters are temperamental at times and can be intermittent working sometimes and malfunction other times. Your ignition switch, fuse, or relay could also produce symptoms of your vehicle not cranking.

Sounds like a bad ground. If the battery voltage does not drop when the starter is engaged, the starter is not getting the juice. Check the ground connection again. 90%