My 1992 olds cutl sierra wont start but headlights & dash lights work. No click when turning key-just silence. Tried another key. Had starter replaced a couple years ago (supposedly new). Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks for the compliment. The problem is with your safety interlock switch. The switch is designed to prevent starting the car in gear but is going bad. The switch is mounted on the top of your transmission where the shifter cable attaches and looks like a thin black box. Cost for a new switch is under $20. I will paste instructions below from autozone.com on steps to replace the part.

R Thanks for the compliment. The problem is with your safety interlock switch. The switch is designed to prevent starting the car in gear but is going bad. The switch is mounted on the top of your transmission where the shifter cable attaches and looks like a thin black box. Cost for a new switch is under $20. I will paste instructions below from autozone.com on steps to replace the part. R

Apply the parking brake and block the wheels.
Place the vehicle in the neutral position.
Remove the shifter linkage.
Disconnect the electrical harness to the switch.

Unfasten the switch, then lower from the vehicle.


To install:

Place the shift shaft in Neutral.
Align the flats of the shift shaft to flats in the switch.
Install the switch assembly.


If the bolt holes do not align with the mounting boss on the transaxle, verify the sift shaft DO NOT ROTATE THE SWITCH. The switch is pinned in the neutral position. If the switch has been rotated and the pin broken or when using an old switch, adjust it.

Tighten the switch screw to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
Remove the gauge pin.
Attach the electrical connection, then connect the shifter linkage.



ADJUSTMENT


Place the transaxle control shifter in the neutral notch on the detent plate.
Loosen the switch attaching screws.
Rotate the switch on the shifter assembly to align the service adjustment hole with the carrier tang hole.
Insert a 3 / 32 in. (2.34mm) maximum diameter gauge pin to a depth of 5 / 8 in. (15mm).
Tighten the attaching screws.
Remove the gauge pin. Apply the parking brake and block the wheels. Place the vehicle in the neutral position. Remove the shifter linkage. Disconnect the electrical harness to the switch. Unfasten the switch, then lower from the vehicle. To install: Place the shift shaft in Neutral. Align the flats of the shift shaft to flats in the switch. Install the switch assembly. If the bolt holes do not align with the mounting boss on the transaxle, verify the sift shaft DO NOT ROTATE THE SWITCH. The switch is pinned in the neutral position. If the switch has been rotated and the pin broken or when using an old switch, adjust it. Tighten the switch screw to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm). Remove the gauge pin. Attach the electrical connection, then connect the shifter linkage. ADJUSTMENT Place the transaxle control shifter in the neutral notch on the detent plate. Loosen the switch attaching screws. Rotate the switch on the shifter assembly to align the service adjustment hole with the carrier tang hole. Insert a 3 / 32 in. (2.34mm) maximum diameter gauge pin to a depth of 5 / 8 in. (15mm). Tighten the attaching screws. Remove the gauge pin.