First let me say after extensive testing and replacement of the starter, a relay, and recharging the battery, the car is running today; however, I'm not sure why. I could conclude that it was the starter solenoid, but I want to be sure.
1) The problem started when I was driving. One second I'm driving and the next there is no power at ignition (ON or START); like a light switch going to off. And after I got it home, the car acted like this: when the ignition switch was turned to the ON position, the instrument cluster had power. When it was turned to START position, the cluster went dead.2) I have the Robert Bently Service Manual. I used this to test the various components and decided the starter and solenoid needed to be replaced. Yet, after I replaced the unit the problem persisted. At one point before I replaced the starter, the car did start. I got about 5 feet and it went dead again.
3) Then I started a through examination of the electrical system. I tested all the Fuses. I tested the Starter Switch. I tested continuity of the Wires from the Starter Switch to the Fuse/Relay panel. Finally I replaced one of the two relays in the circuit; One is called the Starter Interlock, and the other is called the Seat Belt Warning System. I replaced the first because it is only 12$ and avoided the second because it is 80$. However, these seemed unlikely causes because there was no power. According to the current flow diagram the Ignition Switch gets its power directly (without a fuse or relay in between) from the Fuse/Relay Panel to terminal 15 of the Ignition Switch.Thats the low down. Operational= T+1.
My question, does this behaviour sound typical of any components in the electrical system?