[MazdaProtege-TKPK]

My 2002 Mazda Protege has had problems starting recently and the problem seems to be getting worse as time goes on. When I put the key in and crank it, I get all the electrical devices working (radio, lights, seatbelt alarm, dash lights, etc.) but the car won't turn over, just a click and nothing.

If I let it set for a second, or play with various things like shifting into neutral and back to park, turning on the headlights, rocking the car, letting it roll a few feet, turning the alarm on then off, or plain repeating the cranking at 5 second intervals, it will start eventually (sometimes 2nd crank, sometimes 20th). I mention all those various things because at one point or another I thought I had zeroed in on what would help the car start. But I'm convinced it's either a time issue or I simply have no idea what to look for.

It's odd that I have power, and the car starts eventually, but almost never on the first try now. I had the car serviced maybe a month ago and they found nothing, but the problem was on the wane then.

Just now when I drove to work I had another idea for a test. When I got to work, I turned it off, waited 15 seconds, then tried to crank it once. It didn't start. It seems like if it was an alternator or battery issue all of my above troubleshooting would have found it by now.

Is my ignition going?

Thanks for any help!