My wife was driving on the highway and the car stopped running. She pulled off the road and called me. I explained how to listen for the fuel pump. She turned the key on too far and the car started for a second then died agian....then nothing. The battery is new and has 12.8 volts and terminals clean. The guages do not work, engine won't crank, even the turn signals don't work. Headlights and tail/brake lights work. Where should I start? Checked all the fuses and they are OK. Thought about starter relay or ignition switch but I need to tear the whole dash apart just to get at them. Please help!

96 Bonneville vin code K 252000 miles.

Remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, both of them.

Without going to a troubleshooting guide, and just off the top of my head, I'd check all battery connections, positive and negative on the battery, battery to the starter motor and the ignition, and the ground to the block. If it was a crank or cam sensor or something, you'd have power to accessories and the engine would at least crank. Use a continuity meter or a light tester (a 12V light with a power connection and a ground) to make sure power is getting through all your main power and ground cables. Basic stuff, but it'* a start.

Yeah, you need to double check the battery cables & all the fuses. Do the headlights dim when you try to crank.