Well, I've had this hard starting problem for awhile, and it appears that it may very well be the ignition cylinder, every once in a while I'll go out and turn the key, power comes on but no starter, I'll sit for a few seconds, try again, nothing, so I hold the key in start for a second and it fires right up- cars are just wierd sometimes... But does anyone have an explanation as to how the cylinder can do this? It's got to be that, a bad connection wouldn't go off and on just sitting there in park like that. Can I pick this thing up at Advance Auto? Part #s???

Also, it appears the pulley underneath the alternator is the one that's squeaking and rattling up a storm- I'm assuming bad bearing, will find out for sure sometime this week. Is that the idler pulley?

Sorry for wierd questions like this, my car wouldn't have normal problems like a regular car, it gets the ones hardly anyone has heard of.

 

Anyone

 

I doubt the problem is the cylinder unless you are getting a security lamp when it does not work. There are some other items involved in starting the car, such as the ignition switch (not the cylinder), transmission range switch (sometimes called the neutral safety switch), theft deterrent relay...

schematic

Below the alternator is the power steering pump (large pulley), a/c compressor and belt tensioner. Maybe the tensioner is the one your are hearing. You may be able to find the pulley by itself, but most places sell the tensioner and pulley as a unit.

 

Or if it is the tensioner, and ONLY the bearing part,[not the actual tensioning part like mine was]
Tensioner Pulley bearing p/n is; NTN 6203LU, or a TIMKEN 203FF sealed bearing
there was also a P/N on the side of the bearing NTN 6203EX4CSIS.
Punch it out and a new one in with a socket and a hammer..
cheaper!