Together intermittently: clutch,a/c,windows,air bag

[ruthf]

The following problems have twice in a couple of weeks occurred together. It happens unpredictably and inconsistently. The dealer replaced the clutch assembly as an attempt to repair the problem. This did not solve the problem.

The first time it happened I cranked the car at the gas station after filling with gas. The second time the car had been sitting for three or four hours. Here is what happens: The hand brake is on and the car is in gear. I depress the clutch pedal and turn the ignition. Immediately upon cranking, there is a relatively high-pitched whirring sound coming from somewhere in the front of the car. The radio, a/c, and windows do not work. The air bag warning light on the dash stays on. The gauges on the panel work. The turn signal does not work. When I shift into gear it grinds. The grinding sound is audible to passersby. It grinds going into every gear. Both times this has happened I have been within a few miles of home and drove immediately home. Then this problem has not repeated for days and miles. Ideas?

[65comet]

You didn't say which year, engine/transmission combination.
Are you sure the sound isn't the starter? With all the other items having problems, maybe it is the key switch messed up keeping the starter engaged and other items turned off. If it isn't the starter, then I would wonder about the shifter messed up trying to engage reverse with the forward gears. And along with that the tranny sensors sending an unknown signal to the ECU that it can't handle and causing the other problems. Those are just my two guesses.