Update/next repairs
 

OK, I got all my trucks and cars back to Houston. The new bus drives great with the replacement tranny. And I got the linkage to go back together so I didn't have to replace the cable. All that's left on it is to figure out why the key doesn't turn the starter, and get my tranny dipstick tube all the way into the casing.

In fact, this new bus runs so nice, I now realize how crappy my old bus was driving. It really needs front end work bad. And, the engine is just a lot noisier. Why is that? Maybe it's an exhaust leak - I see one of the nuts missing where the down pipe bolts to the catalytic converter. But, it seems more than that. It just sounds like an old engine, much louder inside while driving, outside while idling.

So, I'm going to start driving the new bus on my trips. Leaving this week for Maryland. If I don't figure out the key, I guess that's just like a burglar alarm. Thieves prolly won't figure out how to start it. Prolly can't even find the batteries - it took me a while; they're not in an obvious box visible on the outside like the other bus.

Salvaged the pan off the old transmission and need to swap it on before I leave.

Any advice on finding the problem with the key? I'm so bad with electrical issues. What are some of the possible causes?

You could begin with the starter engagement circuit fuse and relay. I don't have any data on that model and year.