In all my VW,s  (Type 3,s) the spring is in the switch itself. I believe 
they are the same in the beetle etc.
 On occasions I,ve had a switch fail( after only ~ 30 yrs, what crummy 
products!) and tried to pull them to bits and clean contacts
whatever. I,ve never succesfully put one back together though!.
 There is a lot of info ( and very knowledgeable blokes) in the RAMVA news 
group. This news group seems to have withereed a bit
                Best of luck
                   John


"cprince"  wrote in message 
news:h-CdnQ0FjoGz_pjVnZ2dnUVZ_ruqnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Is the spring that returns key (switch) from start to run in the key lock 
> or in the ignition switch? Thanks
>