My car started acting up today.  It’s fine when I first pull out, but
after I hit about 35 mph, the speed levels out and won’t increase.  I
give it more gas, and the tachometer shoots from the 2,000 rpm range
up to 4,000-5,000, but I either maintain about the same speed or the
car actually begins to slow down.  It’s almost as if, at that point,
I’m revving the engine in neutral.  At that point, even if I back off
the speed, I can’t do anything more with the gas pedal but rev the
engine.  I have to shut off the car entirely, turn it on again, and
start that whole process over.  Can anyone think of what might be
causing this?

I should mention that the car is a V6 automatic.  Also -- and this may
or may not be related -- I’ve been having a problem with the ignition
the last few days.  I turn the key and the car tries to start, but I
have to give it a kick of gas to actually turn over and start up.  Any
ideas on this would be helpful, too.

Thanks.

--Shawn