i'm not sure what kinds of key words to put in the search bar for this problem. checked ignition. car wont start is too general.

anyway, i think something is up with the ignition. i don't know if i need to replace the lock cylinder in the steering wheel only or if there is issue with wiring/wiring harness. here is the problem:

it culminated thursday night when i tried to start the car and it was totally dead. BUT, the key got stuck in the ignition and would not turn back to the off position. i got it out by pushing the release in the steering column.

what it has been doing......the car has been randomly resetting itself as though i have disconnected the battery. but i haven't. the radio starts over, loses all of its programmed info (i stopped messing with it at this point), and all of those other electronic issues like pcm i guess is being wiped clean every time that happens. have to give it a good amount of gas to start it whenever the "reset" happens.

the other day while i was driving it was as though the battery was disconnected while i was driving. the car didn't die but the all of the lights, stereo, etc. quit for a second and then came back on.

so i'm thinking its something to do with the ignition. battery is fine. it never needs jumped. i was thinking bad battery at first because of the hard to start but over the last few weeks its been ruled out since i don't have to jump it.

i was ready to buy the lock cylinder but then i got to thinking maybe its not that but wiring harness or something. not sure. the reason i thought it was the cylinder itself is because the key got stuck in the ignition. not sure how they work together so i'm checking before i repair the wrong part.

thanks