It is very easy to replace the electrical switch.  
1. remove the plastic covers.
2. Remove the plug to the ignition,
3. If I remenber correctly there is only one screw holding the switch in
place.
4. Slide the switch out of the metal housing. 
5. reinstall.

I have disassembled a switch and cleaned the contacts.  A new one only
costs $8.  The steering, lock bolt is more difficult to remove. I think
it requires drilling at a particular point to release a holding pin.
Good luck
Kenneth Winter
89 Cab
87 Vanagon
83 Jetta

 yncroHead@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 97-04-03 01:58:21 EST, morrisc@belmont.edu (Chris Morris)
> writes:
> 
> > At one point, when I attempted to turn the engine off, the key was stuck in
> >  the on position. I was able to turn it enough to stop the engine, but I
> had
> >  unplug the wire harness from the switch and hot wire it to get home
> >  (praying the whole way that the steering lock wouldn't engage) because the
> >  lock was completely jammed. My question is this; can the electrical switch
> >  part be separated from the key cylender
> 
> Yes.
> 
> >or do they have to be replaced together?
> 
> No.
> 
> >Is it possible that a short caused the electrical contacts to fuse together?
> 
> I haven't seen that before, but it seems possible to me.
> 
> Good luck,
> Jim Davis
> 87 GL Syncro
> 88 GL Wolfsburg