Can someone identify what the pictured connector is for? We couldn't get the key out of the Ignition without disconnecting the negative terminal on the battery .. But after disconnecting this connector in the steering column now we can remove the key normally. Just want to be sure it isn't anything critical. Doesn't seem to have affected anything.

When this connector is disconnected, can remove key from Ignition normally.

 

If everything works normal, I imagine you can still shift gears, right? Does the steering wheel still lock up when you take the key out?

If it only seems to affect the key, that might be it because the steering column lock and key lock are mechanically connected.