95 corsica... key switch/steering column/starting problem

i just acquired a 95 corsica.. the key switch was stiff so i dug in and got it out got it to free up and put it back in... connected the battery and everything comes on { no key in the ignition } and the car wont start.. what did i do wrong.. does the steering wheel and airbag have to be installed to start the car??? am i missing something here.. thanks for any help here.. should i just replace the column.. it is a tilt

If you put the lock cylinder back in, and connected the battery, and the dash lights are on, with no key in the lock cylinder, then the lock cylinder is not mated correctly with the "rack"....have to take it back out and reinstall correctly...