Dash lights dead, no crank, no response from turning key.
 

Help! The black bastard is dead in the water and had to have it towed home.

The wife drove her car just fine, parked it and when she came back it wouldn't start.

I figured it was the battery and drove over with a booster pack but no luck.

Turning the key does nothing. No lights on the dash at all.

The battery seems to be fine because all interior lights come on, key fob works, trunk release button works but zero response from turning the key.

I checked all the fuses I thought could be related the the issue and they seem to be fine.

Is there any fuse under the hood that might be a culprit?

Is there a way to test the ignition switch?

This is a 04 3.0

Do you have a scanner that can read key numbers? Does it do it with another key? I would try a key synchronization first.

I have INPA/ISTA on a laptop but there's no power at all to the dash when you turn the key

I think this is the only key we have for this vehicle

F43 5A Instrument cluster

Does it have power? A test light or voltmeter would be handy.

I didn't have any tools at the time but I definitely checked that fuse. I'll throw a voltmeter on it and see what's up

Has that alternator ever been replaced?
Has the car recently been bumped from the rear?
What unusual signs did the car show just before it wouldn't crank?

Alternator was replaced last year.

Car was running fine just before she parked it. Matter of fact it's been making a lot of 15 km trips back and forth the last couple days with no issues.

Sounds a bit strange that both positions (Terminal R and Terminal 15) on the ignition switch would fail simultaneously but of course it's possible. You can check the voltage on fuse box rail side connectors

Check the + terminal under the hood...is it charred, burn marks on the base.

Speaking of terminals...are the battery cables tight?

How's those ground straps looking?

Under hood terminal looks fine.

I put in a brand new battery and no change. Terminals are clean and tight.

Seems like the electrical in general is working as it should except for the key not doing anything