Problem With 964 Door Handle

[Davie Boy]

Basically, the lock tumbler in my driver side door handle simply rotates 360 degrees. It won't lock or unlock the door. I know that I need to remove the handle and tighten the screw on the back of the lock... but when I took off the door panel to get to it, I found a flat, spiral spring type thing lying loose inside the door. Can anyone help me identify the part and explain where it goes? Here's my original post with a picture of the part:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=497777

[Davie Boy]

Update: I removed the door handle, tightened the screw at the back of the lock, and reinstalled it. The key will now turn to the normal lock and unlock positions. Unfortunately, there's a new problem. Turning the key will only unlock the door once it's been locked by other means (the passenger door, manual knob, etc.) And even then, the unlock seems mechanical and not electrical. In other words, I don't hear the quick "snap" of the electrical unlocking mechanism. I only hear a lazy mechanical sound as I turn the key.

Anyone?