If I turn the key back to the "ACCESSORY" position, my radio works. If I turn the key forward to start the car, all the dash lights go out, the radio goes out and the car does not even attempt to start.

Has anyone had a similar problem? I checked the fuses and they all look good. Any ideas?

Thanks,
-4B

Those things will go out once you attempt to start the car, that is normal. But if your car won't start up then that isn't. You may have enough juice to run some of those electronics, but may not be enough to start up.

Could be a corroded/loose battery terminal.

If the battery connections are clean and tight, turn the key to the on position, and check your connections at the starter with a test light. If you have juice at the starter, have someone hold the key in the crank position, and tap the starter solenoid with a small hammer. If the starter cranks over at that point, you need to replace the starter.

Bet it's the ignition switch or the starter. Had a similar problem awhile back.

Does it do it all the time, or only occasionally?

exactly what I was thinking... Check the starter first, if you pull it from the car, take it to auto zone and they will test it for you if your more comfortable doing that, also, make sure your battery is fully charged. when you turn the ignition do you hear the sileniod on the starter click? or is it just completely silent?

It is now fixed.

It was a weird battery failure. The battery would hold a charge. The volt meter said it was 12.8V. If I put a load on it, it would drop down to 5.7 volts. I only had the battery 23 months, so I only had to pay $20 for a replacement.

Glad you got it fixed!

Once again the electrical gremlins wreak havoc on a poor, unsuspecting GP.