Inhibitor switch (starting issues)

I have an auto 93 J Spec N/A that has developed starting issues. We thought it was a battery... nope. Removed the badly fitted after market alarm and immobilisor.. nope.

Only other options I think are the inhibitor switch or the ignition barrel.

Sometimes car starts normally. About 75% of the time.

Sometimes the car clicks as though the battery is flat. Normally turning the key back to the off position a couple of times and retrying solves the problem.

Sometimes the car turns over a couple of times and then dies. And just for added fun sometimes I get a combination of the above.

This morning after trying repeatedly to get the car started I hit the gear lever and then the car started first try!!

If it is the inhibitor switch where is it and how easy is it to replace?

Should I look at replacing the ignition barrel (and all the locks)?

Or is there something else to try?

dont autos have to be in park/neutral to start? As you hit the gear stick and it worked could it be a fault with the sensor that detects its in the correct starting gear?

the car was in Park, which is what makes me suspect the inhibitor...

Is the battery definitely big enough for the car? I had similar problems with an xr3i years ago, it was down to the amps of the battery not having enough power to crank it over, it worked about 60% of the time, other times would just click.

Another thing could simply be the contacts on the starter motor on their way out causing an intermittent fault?.

Hope you get it sorted whatever the issue, there's nothing worse than an unreliable motor...Good luck

aha, another possibility, thank you.

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battery is fine by the way, was recommended by this forum