So, my friend came into possession of a 92 Accord LX (automatic) that has been parked in a garage for between 1 and 2 years without being started. He asked me to take a look at it and after getting the battery replaced, I found that it won't turn over.
The key goes into the cylinder okay but turning it is difficult (the key has to be jiggled in the cylinder for a minute before the key can reach the ACC or ON position).
When I go to ACC, the lights come on in the dashboard.
If I turn to ON, nothing happens. There is no noise from under the hood. The car doesn't attempt to crank at all. I have inspected the timing belt and it is intact. Also, the battery cables are not corroded. I'm thinking of checking the distributor, spark plug wires, and spark plugs over the weekend and see if it is getting a spark.
I've never experienced this issue before so I'm at a loss. I will continue to search for an answer but if anyone has experienced this or has any insight, I would greatly appreciate some advice.
Thanks!

 

Try placing the shifter into Neutral and starting, try other gears if you can, keep your foot on the brake. If the key is hard to move there may be a shifter interlock issue.
Also make sure the steering wheel lock is not a factor in the key being hard to turn.

You can always run a jumper wire from the battery positive to the solenoid on the starter.
If the starter is fine it will spin. If it does nothing, give it a few taps.
From there start checking grounds and other wires.

 

Mike - I agree but I'm confused by the post.

There are four positions of the key.

0- off, key comes out
I - Acc....radio and that comes on
II - On. this would be the normal position when the car is running. When first truning the key to this position the CEL should come on for ~3 seconds
III - Start. This is where the starter should run.

Anyway - put a volt meter on the small wire to the starter solenoid. Have your friend turn the key to "Start/III" - do you have voltage, if so how much?