01 Silverado - MAS & Electrical Ignition Question

Hey guys...

I have a 01 Silverado 5.3.

#1 question - The MAF screen was removed and the airbox cut (dont let your friends mess with your truck..when they borrow it) anyway I just recently found this out while replacing the air filter. The air box has been cut out with 2 big holes below the filter (may have been that way since I bought it used but im sticking with the theroy my buddy, whom denies it, messed with it)

My trans seems to hit 2nd gear hard since its gotten cold out. I never noticed it before, may have done it all along and I just didnt notice it. Anyway, will reomving the MAF screen / holes do this or is my trans going?

#2 question - The ignition swith electric assy under the column (plugs into the ignition switch from below) has broken internally. My dash turns on and off at will. If I pull the wires going to the plug I can turn the dash on and off. So the dealer wants 125 bucks for this plug. Is there somewhere online I can pick this up cheaper? Used is fine.

Thanks guys!

I can add something for question #1...I haven't had a MAF screen for over a year now plus I have a K&N FIPK plus I took out the bottom of my airbox and made a new one with a 4" hole in it. This hole has a flange on it that connects to flexible aluminum tubing that connects to a 4" 90 degree elbow. This elbow sits behind and off to the side of my fog lights and supplies the K&N with lots of fresh cold air. I have seen this done by a company and they wanted alot of money for it but mine does the same thing. Total cost was like $25. So, to answer your question about the trans...it's not the intake system. You might take your truck to a dealer and see if your computer has an update. You might want to call ahead as some dealers are better at working with you and not charging then others. The Chevy dealer near me sucks big time while the GMC dealer across for them rocks.
For what it's worth my trans did some funky things like clunking into a gear and shifting early and I bought a Superchips controller which remapped everything and now it works just fine.

Ditto on question #1 :)

Questions #2. My tranny will start to shift hard from 1 to 2 when the tranny needs to be flushed. Also.. try removing the battery for 10 mins.. this will reset the computer and have the tranny shift normally again. Over time the computer learns your driving habits, then develops habits of it's own because of your bad habits :)

That is all good advice, but he may need a new connector for the under dash wiring harness reguardless. I need more info to help. There are numerous connectors everywhere I need yu to narrow it down. My guess is you are talking about the C201 connector (IP harness to steering colum harness). Part #15336852 . Count the wires going in (or out) if its 20 or 32 this is the part, if not give me some more info.