Jones, just because the shifter jiggle does not work, does not rule out the NSS. Yes the other way around (jiggle works), does indicate the NSS.

Maybe some Ho guy here could help here, but I gather the 86 socket on the start relay should get juiced when you turn the key to start. THEN the relay won't activate and pass power from 30 to 87 (87 being the solonoid wire), unless the NSS is grounding 85. It's really not as complicated as it might sound.

 

I want to point out as someone else has earlier to use a Meter to check for 12v on the hot side AND the trigger side of the relay. A TEST LIGHT is not good enough! I thought I had a bad starter from autozone but it really wasn't. It turns out the old starter would crank on 10.5 volts but the new one would not. I had to cut the factory terminals off and replace them. 2 volts had gotten lost inside the connector somehow.

 

Answers right here until you can jump starter this way your just waisting money..................If you are bypasssing the starter, by touching the contacts of the starter you are basically bypassing everything related to ignition switch, NSS, anything.

The only choices left if after touching the contacts and not getting the starter to spin is either a bad starter, or bad wire coming from the battery to the starter, or the ground from the battery to the chassis/engine.