so i figured something out. not sure if this relates to the original post problem.
but it explains what i've been experiencing. However i'm not sure if i understand why it's like this.
but here's what i found out:
so i have 'auto key' on, and move the hand bone or its gizmo. i see that a rotation and scale key is being created. And no key for position.
Under the motion panel--> 'PRS parameters' i see that position is still an option under 'Create key'. But pushing that only creates a position key of '0'.
So then i see that 'auto key' also creates a rotation/scale key for the lower- and upper-arm bone. So together they form the new position for the hand.
I'm animating in FK btw. switching to IK and animating the IK-target gives a position key for the target.
The exact same thing occures when animating the foot with FK.
This is very complicated to work with, so why can't it just make a position key for the hand bone? Or would that be the same as animating with IK?
Is there something i haven't understood here regarding how FK works? does it have to be like this?
I'm a bit dizzy from going through all the tracks, curves and controllers of all objects now....