Would a bad neutral safety switch cause the car not to start?

[turbobuick33]

Would a bad neutral safety switch cause a Saturn not to start? It is a 99 saturn 1.9 dohc, it cranks but will not start. It does have spark and fuel. Could a bad neutral safety switch be the problem?

[fdryer]

A faulty n/s switch will not even allow the starter to power up!? Its part of the starter circuit to allow the ignition START signal to reach the starter solenoid in order to power the starter motor. You are already cranking the engine over so this means the n/s switch is already working correctly. Think of the n/s switch as the same switch like the clutch safety switch; if an auto shift lever isn't in Park or Neutral, the switch won't close to allow the starter to operate when the ignition switch is turned to START. The clutch safety switch is attached to the clutch pedal swing arm bracket; if the pedal isn't floored the switch stays open, preventing the starter from operating. Both are safety devices.

Having fuel and ignition doesn't necesssarily mean the injectors are pulsing; just fuel to the injectors. You'll have to check the fuel injector fuse as this supplies HOT 12v to each injector; the pcm switches the ground at the appropriate time to open the injectors. You can also pull the plugs to see and/or smell for fuel.

Are you sure the cylinder aren't flooded? An original coolant sensor can fail and cause flooding, rich running conditions.

Done a compression test?