'97 w/ 70k miles no start issue

[Hinchcliffe]

Friend just bought this car from someone they know, its an automatic. Test drove it, all was good to go. It was driven up on to the car carrier for shipping up here and that's where the fun begins...

When the truck arrived at their house the car wouldn't start, didn't even turn over. Rolled off truck and into the garage where it sits today. When it did run there was a bit of white smoke assuming Oil Separators are an issue. Put in a new battery and still nothing, it clicks once but then nothing. Almost seems like its locked up or the starter is completely shot.

I suggested draining the oil to see if anything else is in it, then pull spark plugs and inspect them. Once the plugs are out see if you can start turning the crank and getting the motor moving.

Anything else I should suggest or look for?

[KevinH1990]

Search on "ignition switch" and see if anyone else reported similar symptoms when their switch failed. It is a pretty common problem area. I don't have a tip, but I assume that there is some kind of interlock with the brake peddle or gear selector that prevents you from starting it in drive or reverse. That may be another source of the problem.