96 grand am has a prob.

[bubobby]

Driving to work, all the indicator lights started flashing then ran poorly and died.
I replaced the alternator , it tested bad. Tried to start it and got the flashing
dash lights again. It won't even start on compression (its a manual).
I saw a tiny whiff of smoke rise from the steering column a day before this
happened. Question: Should I replace the ignition switch before I have it
towed to a shop?