Removed. One obvious issue and one question:

Obvious issue: protruding metal pin in the middle of the white disk that would allow the interior pin in the ignition switch to spin has failed. Sheared off. So, what is it smart to replace, assuming I dont love taking the instrument panel off :)

One Question: is there supposed to be what looks like engine oil inside the housing. Not alot but definitely there. Is that a symptom of another failure? The oil must have rode in through the vacuum lines.

Progress for sure.

Are you saying the broken part is on the main unit or the electrical portion? If it's the main unit, the replacement part includes both pieces.

There should not be engine oil in there. I have not experienced this, but I believe the usual source is the vacuum line from the shutoff valve on the injection pump. This may be current or residual from a past failure. You may want to start a new thread on this issue to get some troubleshooting tips.

I think the main unit. There is a white disk, oblong in shape, right where the pin protrudes into the unit from the vacuum lines. It's the metal piece in the center of plastic piece that sticks into the back end of the electrical portion. So I guess I should replace the whole unit. Two questions:

1) is there just one replacement, or a good one and a not so good one?

2) should I recondition or soak or clean the key cylinder before putting it back in? It seems ok, little dirty, but i dont want it to lock up.

Thanks for everything.

I don't know if there are choices for the replacement units, I suspect they all come from the same vendor but phil should be able to tell you for sure. I think the last on I bought came from the local worldpac distributor (through my shop).

You definitely don't want the cylinder to fail in the locked position. I would be careful not to use any cleaner that leaves residual behind (maybe something specifically designed for cleaning locks). When mine failed the cylinder was also getting glitchy so I replaced it too (from the dealer, keyed to match my car).

Ok, sounds good. Thanks for all the help. Now on to the oil in the housing. Again, thanks alot.