The problem isn't with the lock, it's with the physical electrical switch attached to the end of the lock assembly. Maybe.

I had a lock assembly that wouldn't fully return to position 2 (run). So I had to jiggle and center the key in the run position for everything to work properly after starting it. When you have the assembly out, make sure that its operation is smooth. The best repair if it is bad is replacement. There's no repairing a worn lock assembly.

But the answer to your question depends on how long you can be without your vehicle, and how many times you want to take the assembly out of the vehicle. If you destroy the switch or fail to effect improved operation of the switch, then you have to be prepared to be without your vehicle for a few days and / or to R&R the switch twice to fix it once. If those two possibilities are okay for you, then go for the repair.

I completely get the need to repair rather than replace. I just tried to repair a sealed relay from an espresso machine that wasn't making contact. It turned out that the contacts were destroyed, so I had to get a new one, but I removed/attempted repair/replaced the bad relay onto a circuit board while waiting for the new one. Didn't work, but still had to try. Caffeine withdrawal will make you do strange things...

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mjk

'84 300SD 119KMi (Liesl der Diesel)
'84 300D 326KMi when the oil left (former parts car)
'82 300SD 253KMi (new parts car)