3zooms

Today we got the car runnin' so we could move it and start the cleaning process. The batt was charged overnight, and with a shot of starter fluid, it fired and died. After several attempts with the same results, we noticed that when the key was in the run position, all the dash warning lights and the volt guage would go dead. We couldnt even get the shifter out of park (holding the brake) to push the car forward enough to get to the fuse box. (We were parked next to a pole). After some fiddleing, my husband figured out that he could "cheat" the ignition switch so that after the car fired, he could back off on the key switch enough to kill the starter, but still have power to run the car. So, by holding the key in the "almost" start position, we were able to drive the car out of its cell.
We checked all the fuses and they seem to be fine.
There is a relay on the frt fender that is clicking on and off in the Acc and in the start position. It seems to be working.
Is there a relay possibly for the Run position? If so, where is it? Could the key switch itself be at fault?
There was alot of moisture, or should I say water in the car. The spare tire was practically floating! There was also some good size puddleing under the rear seats. All the back half interior is out now. Perhaps the moisture got into the wireing and is causing this "Run" problem?
I have a Chiltons manual, but it doesn't show much. Any help would be appreciated 'cause having a shop diagnose an electrical problem can get expensive. Thanks for reading this far...

dr0x

www.fc3s.org, download the FSM for your car and throw that chiltons in the garbage. First thing I would look at is the ignition switch connectors under the dash. There is some bottled circuit dryer stuff, it dries out electrical connections. Go buy some and spray it on the connectors.