So here's the deal. I have a 1992 4th gen Prelude. Sometimes, when I turn on my car, it turns on fine. Other times though, It will turn on, but the engine will be louder than usual (a little increase in Idle RPM's) and none of my electronics will work besides the Speedometer, signals and headlights and tailights. When I drive it, it will be very faint in acceleration and when I put it in park, It will make the LOUDEST grinding noise and I can't even turn off the car with the key b/c its stuck and won't turn. I have to literally turn the key so hard I feel like I'm gonna break it, and Just to turn it off.

The creepy thing is, (and I just recently found out) that when I drive, I like to fiddle with my keys and move the one in the ignition, but this time The key came out! So I'm there looking at the key and the car thinking "oh ****!" So I just pretend nothing happened and put the key back in.

WTH is wrong with my car?
I mean I know it's Halloween season but C'mon?!?!?

 

That could possibly be your ignition switch. I had the same problem but then sometimes the car would shut off while driving down the road. I'm not sure about your transmission making that noise because mine is 4th gen manual not auto.

 

If it is your ignition system, it may be possible that the grinding noise is your starter kicking on. If that is the case, that should make a nasty sound...

or possibly your engine compartment has a dead indian hiding in there somewhere

 

haha....very funny. Way to freak me out by saying there's a dead guy in my car...

I now consider the problem to me my starter b/c that's the grinding sound it makes..
But why would my starter kick on when the car is already on?

 

If you turn your car on and keep your key turned all the way over after the engine has started, it will keep your starter going. I would def replace your ignition switch...

 

hmm, good point. This rarely happens, yet when it does, it sucks.

Do I really HAVE to replace it??

 

I suspect a dead mouse......