Occasional no start '94 Voyager

Upon turning the key, no dash lights or fuel pump sound but it will
crank easily. When I do get lights and fuel pump sound, starts
easily. Suspect ASD. Correct? TIA

 

The first suspect is the ignition switch.

 

Thanks! If it is the ignition switch, would it still crank (starter
turning over) every time without fail?

 

Yes......
The ignition switch not only engages the starter, but also powers the
ignition system. When you turn the key to start the engine,
it rotates to "ON" and powers everything up, and as you continue turning the
key to "Start" it cranks the engine, and the engine will start if the
ignition
is supplying power to fire the sparkplugs, run the fuel pump,etc. If the
ignition is not energized, the battery will crank the engine until the
battery is dead and not start, because there is no fuel pressure or ignition
spark. You said that you can sometimes turn the key to "ON" and the dash
lights don't come on and you don't hear the fuel pump run. So, the first
thing to suspect is the ignition switch which powers those two things. When
the electrical contacts inside the switch start to go bad, they get
intermittent and sometimes make contact and sometimes don't. If you turn the
key to "ON" and the dash lights don't go on, try playing with the key and
slightly wiggle it back & forth a little and see if the dash lights come
on. A new ignition switch is only about $25 at Autozone (or equivalent).

 

Thanks so much. Excellent description and much appreciated!

Of course, as is the way with intermittent problems I cannot now
replicate it. I did replace the ASD with a known, good relay but
will continue to suspect the ignition switch until I can inspect/
replace it.

Thanks again!