aftermarket or factory alarm?

Yes.

Thanks Howie!Always willing to learn something new.

Here are two drawings as possible circuits, X marks the test points:-

The neutral safety switch will keep it from starting. But since I think I remember that no dash lamps illuminate when the key is turned on, it really sounds to me like part of the fusebox is not being provided power.

Not thinking clearly, let's start again:- 192_starter_circuit..bmp or this:- 6A6_starter_circuit..bmp X marks testing points, work back from the starter motor. There's a second starter at the ignition switch, I'm not sure where it goes but I think it's only a cold weather enrichment device.

It's 11:20pm here, I'm about to watch CSI Miami which I recorded earlier, got an X5 to do tomorrow a.m. and I'll look at the service manual after that, see if I can come up with something in the afternoon (I'm 6 hrs. ahead of you). Oh boy who told me retirement was simple, 2 x remote starts booked so-far next week, then trackers the rest of the time.

Thanks for your input Howie. I will follow up on it. I am an idiot: the following is a part of the wiring diagram that leads me to believe that the shift lock control and that same fuse that controls the dash warning lights are connected in some way-perhaps by the neutral safety switch? The 10A fuse, shown on the diagram at the top right of the fuse box, is the one that controls the warning lights and gauges. Please advise. Always willing to learn something new.

Test at the starter solenoid, as I said before, someone turns the key to start whilst someone else test it. It should go to 12v+ when the starter is cranked. My guess would be the inhibitor switch or relay.