Shift Column: Lock Cylinder: Starter

Saga so far: My shift column broke (snapped the cast aluminum) and I replaced that. Then the key wouldn’t turn all the way to lock and wouldn't come out of keyhole. After wiggling and turning wheel “I” got key loose (wife actually, hehe). I replaced the lock cylinder but the key still wont go to “lock” and now when I go to turn engine on Im getting *click* near starter. It almost turned over but no dice, also new key w/ lock cylinder wont release without removing whole cylinder. I think relay and battery are good cuz windows work and *clicking* when trying to start. Why is this spiraling from one thing to the next and how would you diagnose why the key wont go to lock and now ignition not working? Would a new Ignition switch or switch column be better than going straight to starter replacement? Is there an easy reset for the key to release to “lock” position? Thanks boys, men, dudes, and bros!

 

Before you do all that (you might be on the right track), what is your battery cable condition, do you have any corrosion on your terminals or visible cable ends at all?

 

Turns out battery was drained from key not being fully in “lock”, so accessory must’ve had phantom load slow draining it. Charged battery works for ignition. I still cant figure why the lock cylinder will go fully to “lock” outside the switch column but when I install the lock cylinder it wont go all the way to “lock.” I can use needle-nose pliers to turn to lock with cylinder out, but lock cylinder in wont turn mechanism