Last winter I tried to start my Volvo on a freezing cold morning and something snapped. The shaft that connects the key slot to the starter switch had snapped! My mobile mechanic pulled the starter switch out and left it dangling so that I could start the car with a screwdriver.

Fast forward one year and the car's been acting weird. Last week my girlfriend mentioned that she saw what she thought was a spark when she started the car and smelled some ozone. The next day the car wouldn't start. Would turn over and over but wouldn't catch. Battery was fine. Just wouldn't start.

Had it towed to a Volvo mechanic who replaced the whole ignition switch. She started fine at that point. I examined the old switch and noticed a scorched terminal. I even pried it open and examined the contacts- the one that led to the scorched terminal was having problems resetting back to a closed position after the switch cam passed by.

3 days after the new ignition switch was installed there was another spark and a noticeable ember burnt near my foot as I tried to start the car. Now she starts 1 out of every 30 times I try to start her and she dies anywhere between 10 seconds and 60 seconds no matter what I do. Sitting there, she dies. Driving down the street, she dies.

Any ideas as to what the problem is? Thanks very much in advance!