This the first steering column I have removed. What is this black piece at the bottom of the column? The drum can be rotated. The black cables looks to go into the center console and looks about the same as a mechanical speedometer cable.
I assume your car has an automatic transmission? The cable and solenoid is for the transmission shifter safety thing. They make you push the brake down before you can shift it out of park.
Seems my car was also and automatic at one time. It now has a T5. So the steering column in my car also has this shiftlock. It is easy enough to remove before I replace he column. the quest I now have is, my shift lock is still electrically connected to the dash harness. I would like to remove the shift lock device and cable since it is not needed. If I disconnect the shift lock switch, will this cause any issues? Like maybe a dash light lit, no start condition, confuse the computer in some way?