[Jaggersmom]

I've read as much as I can find about this and think it's the ignition switch or ignition assembly. Problem: Off and on for maybe 2 yrs, when I start the car, as it starts, I hear a grinding noise. That doesn't keep it from starting, though. Other times, as I turn the key, it won't turn completely and won't start. No noise of any kind. I found after this happened several times that if I jiggle the key up and down really hard and then try to start it, the key turns and it starts. These two situations aren't the norm. They happen rarely. BUT 2 weeks ago I was driving 60 mph on an interstate and realized the engine wasn't running. Panicked, I started to head toward the side of the road. Didn't look at the dash so have no idea if lights came on. Just for the heck of it, I decided to turn the ignition switch. It was still in drive but when I did, it solved the problem. There was no sound like we hear when a car starts up, but power came back. The car had a surge of power and everything was fine and has been since then. Took it the next day to a mechanic and they found nothing wrong. I don't think they paid much attention to what I said about the problems I'd had with starting the car. A mechanic friend out of town told me he thinks I need a new ignition switch or ignition assembly. Someone else suggested if I hear grinding, I need the assembly and not just the ignition. HELP?

[TxGreaseMonkey]

I would only replace the ignition switch, which is not difficult to do.