its the ignition switch. next time it happens just jiggle the keys a bit or turn them slightly left so they sit between position I and position II. if the electronics go back on immediatley its the switch.

What happens is that over time the switch gets worn by heavy key weight (pulling down) and general wear, and it doesn't make proper contact in the switch to complete the circuit. The cicuit to the dash electronics will go first (probably because of the layout in the switch) and then down the road other items may cut out as the switch really dies.

You can pull a switch out of a junkyard brick or buy a new one (although its a very expensive part). The switch is in the middle of the "key arm." Pull teh dash console and you will see a plastic round part (looks like an oreo shape) with a large group of wires coming out of it. Pull that towards the front and it just pops off. Next, use a screwdriver to undo the screws that hold the next piece on that arm... this is the switch. Once you get the two screws off (hard given the space) the switch comes right off. Reverse to replace.

btw, I've had this problem on my brick for two years or so now. I keep an extra switch in teh back and am just waiting for it to fail. Actually a good security system since no one generally knows what the hell is going on in my brick but me... ;)

good luck,
rt