I am having key issues on my 2000 also, so I have studied the manual for the 2000. It says that you can remove the lock cylinder with the cover still in place. I haven't done it yet, but it seems that the square tab you have to push is accessable through the little hole in the bottom cover.
Instructions are the same as above, except do not remove the cover. Stick the punch or small screwdriver up through the little hole while key is in ON position. For further work on the electrical part of the ignition switch, the cover is removed AFTER the cylinder.