1991 240SX SE - Starter Switch?

[sethulrich]

Occasionally, while I am driving down the road, my car will just quit on me. Sometime while under power, sometimes while coasting ... just completely random with no warning.

When it happens, it is as if I shut the key off. The gauges shut off, tach goes to 0, even though the engine is still turning when I still have it in gear (manual trans). It will not start again unless I start it with the key, then it will run fine again, until the next time it decides to quit.

One other thing ... the door chime continues to chime even after I remove the key, shut off the lights.....as if I left the key in, or left the lights on.

So I'm thinking ignition switch. However...from Napa I can get the ignition switch for $40 without the key cylinder....or $170 with the key cylinder. I don't wanna spend $170 if I really don't need to, but at the same time, if I just spend $40, and the switch doesn't do it, they tell me it is a non-returnable part, and then I would still need to spend $170 on top of the $40.

So basically, I want to be certain before I spend the money on parts. Is there some way that I can find out for sure if I need to replace the entire key cylinder assembly, or if I just need to replace the switch?

Any advice would be appreciated!

[MaximA32]

I would just go with the switch. If the cylinder still turns, should be no reason to replace that.