Burnt Wire

You may not see much of anything and you don't need to do that to check it. All the wires come out the column to the switch connector. The thing is, NONE of the switch wires should show continuity to ground. If they are all clean--and wiggle the sh*t out of the key several times when checking, then you must surely have a heavy load/ partial short on the other wiring

The only circuits coming from the key "that are supposed" to be hot during cranking is the brown bypass IGN2 circuit and the yellow start wire ACC is dead and IGN1 (run) is dead

There have been others on this board, has had switch troubles

Also, if the switch is shorting, this would help explain your burned up wire / ground strap