Ignition switch or lock problem?

[spsherm]

The ignition switch/key on my 95 Passat had always been a bit flakey (takes a lot of jiggling to get it to work). Yesterday it finally died. At first it would not let me put a key into the slot. Then after some "playing around" I could get the key in and turn the lock cylinder, but it moved very easily, as though it was no longer connected to anything. And maybe it isn't anymore, because the car does not turn on electrically, and the sterring wheel no longer unlocks.

I tend to think this is a lock cylinder problem, as both the electrical (engine coming on) and mechanical (steering wheel lock) both are dead now. And there never were any of the typical bad switch issues. But I am not familiar with how the lock cylinder connects to the switch and steering lock, so I thought I would ask here.

Can someone who is familair with the internals here tell me what is the likely problem here? How is the lock cylinder connected to the switch and steering lock? Is it the same physical part? Should I be getting a lock cylinder, a new switch, or something else?

TIA

[yarrick22]

Just noticed this post. I am not sure if it will help you or not, but in my mk4 golf, I had the same problem. It turned out that I snapped the shaft in between the ignition switch and key lock/immobilizer. I had identical symptoms to you. The shaft is a thin piece of metal. I hope this helps. I ended up having to get a new lock/immobilizer.