ok so a friend gave me this 1988 corolla (carberated) and I wanted to
see if I could get it running.

Apparently it just up and died one day and my friend didn't have the
time or patience to attempt to repair it.  So I'm looking for a little
help or advice.

So far I've installed a fresh battery, cables looked good from the
surface.   Insert key with driver side door open and get "door open"
chime.  Attempt to turn over the moter and the chiming dies and nothing
happens (no ignition, no motor turn over, no display that the ignition
switch is getting power...absolutely nothing).

so I return the key to the "home position" and the door ajar chime
comes back to life.  I attempt to turn on the headlights and the door
chime dies again and there are not headlights to be seen.

All fuses appear intact.

I am at a loss as to where to start, is it possible that the ignition
switch has a short in it....reportedly it had been working
intermittently for a year or so before the car finally would not start
again.  Or could it be a short somewhere in the alternator? voltage
regulator?

Any and all help or advice would be most appreciated, thank you in
advance.

rwc