Hi Carl, it sounds like your ignition switch is shorting hence the buzzing/crackling from the steering column area, remove the shroud around the column remove the screws from the lower shroud unclip the upper shroud (tip remove the hazzard flasher button) then unclip the lower shroud, you then will have access to the rear of the ignition switch, red is the power from the battery, grey is the wire going to the starter relay in engine fuse box, yellow & green are the supplys to the power on circuits, you can't hotwire it from this position as the PATS system will not activate certain required circuits if you want pictures of how to remove the ignition switch contact me on nige110162@hotmail.co.uk and I'll mail them to you
nigel
May 2008