[austinporsche]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I am at the ignition key 101 level of understanding while you guys are at graduate level, so let me ask a couple of freshman questions.

There is a metal door that protests the key tumbler from debris, right? (let's call it the tumbler door for now). I assume this is mechanical and is part of the tumbler assembly (that can be removed, right? more on this later)

If there is this door, my tumbler door is not returning to a closed state and the (mechanical, righ?) steering wheel lock is not engaging (no click when removing the key and steering wheel is still turnable). Are these two things -- steering lock and tumbler door -- interconnected somehow in the larger assembly? This is causing a few of the dash indictors to remain on (odometer, some others) and a beeper warning to sound once the door is opened (presumably this is a "hey, the key is still in the ignition you idiot" message).

And where is this electrical switch at the back of the tumbler that you mention and how might it be related?

Final stupid unrelated question before a plan of action: are these keys chipped in the fob itself or the little remote control printed circuit board, i.e., is there an electronic enable starting element to this system or is it purely mechanical? The reason I ask is that when I got the car a year or so ago I got two key fobs, one good fob and one chewed up by previous owner's dog. The chewed up fob will turn the tumbler full to the crank the starter springed position in the tumbler but will not start the car.

Based on your posts and the other threads you pointed me to, if the tumbler door and steering lock operate in unison somehow, then either the door or the deadbolt at the steering column are sticking.

How should I proceed?

Remove the tumbler. Can I do this with the bigger ignition switch assembly in-place, at the dash using this key+paper clip method? (can you point me to a tutorial on how exactly to do that?

or

Remove the entire ignition switch-steering wheel lock assembly. Is there a how-to on that as well (and is the assembly installed at the factory with breakaway bolts, also known as shear head or fracture bolts?)