Ignition problems

while I was cleaning the inside of my car, I took the shifter (A4) off to clean it, and I put it back on, this may or may not have anything to do with the problem. Well I had put the shifter down to 1st to take it off, put it back on, and put it in park and tried to turn the car off and take my keys out, but it wouldnt let me have my keys back, it was just locked in the position just above "lock". I stuck a screwdriver into the side where I could see the gear i was trying to turn, and after messing with it for a while, I finally got my keys back. But now, when I put the keys in I cant turn it at all. Someone please help!

It also might help if anyone could tell me how to take off the plastic covering just behind the steerring wheel that surrounds the ignition, blinker, etc.

It probably doesn't have anything to do with the ignition cylinder itself. Since you were messing around with the shifter, there's a good chance the solenoid that locks the key in when you shift out of park now has a problem. It's electronic so if you could have sprayed something in there while cleaning and damaged it, or disconnected the plug for it (more likely) which might be why its not working.

I'm not sure how its setup on your car in particular, but that's where you should start looking.

I agree. The most common problem of this type is usually in the shift release mechanism. I'm assuming it's a floor shift amd automatic. If so, the button you push with your thumb is sticking causing the lock to think it's still not in "Park". You need to put the key back in and MAKE it turn to the "ON" position. Then try pushing that thumb button on the shifter a few times allowing it to snap in and out abruptly. After that, try working the key from 'On' to 'Off'. That should release the key after a few tries of this sequence. Ultimately, you will need to get some lubricant down inside the spring loaded interlock mechanism inside the console. If that doesn't work, as was said before, it's electric and you may need a new shift interlock mechanism or solenoid.

As far as the plastic cover behind the steering wheel goes, leave it alone or you'll never get that airbag off when you need to. The cover is the guide to the release clips for the airbag and does not need to come off for your problem