W116, Body and Interior Specific Aid

I have an 84 300 SD with 279,000 miles. My wife has a key ring on the ignition key. After 28 years the weight has caused the ignition switch return spring to weaken to the point with just the key in the ignition alone it won't return to the II spot. My question is, is that spring that returns the switch to the run position in the key part of the lock itself or the is it part of the larger locking mechanism?

I was driving down the street and my hood came unlatched and bent backward over the windshield. (I don't think I had it latched completely down.) I was able to stop and bend it back down, but the hood is dented and the driver's side (large) hood spring came loose.
How do I replace the spring? I am going to replace the hood (but have not yet.) will it be easier to do with the hood off? I barely get my hand down next to the fuse box say nothing of figure out how to stretch that spring into place. Is there a special tool for this job?

Thanks

Scott

With no warning, my factory car alarm suddenly would not let me drive the car without the alarm (horns) blaring. I had to cut the wires to the horns to drive. I don't want to continue driving without a horn.

87 300D

Yesterday my light went funny. The light monitor on the dash came on and the right side parking lights and the dash lights quit working. I pulled tested and changed front and rear bulbs but no change. Went to the fuse box and checked all the fuses with a test light. Located what i think is the light monitor unit right behind the fuse box. all seemed ok. Where do I go now. I'm lost.
Thanks Mike