Attempted theft, now truck won't start

[catback23]

I got a 2000 Dodge Ram that was left outside at home all alone for a while, while I was away on a business trip. I come home to find someone had broken the lock cylinder off in an attempt to steal the truck. In theory, as the truck sits now a screw driver should be able to start the truck (as the lock cylinder has been broken off the ignition switch. But low and behold to my advantage and disadvantage, when I actuate the ignition switch with my trusty screwdriver it clicks through all the positions but the nothing electrically happens.

Question is, is this expected when the ignition is damaged or is something else F'ed up?

Before anyone asks, no the battery isn't dead. Headlights and all shine bright, battery reads 12.5 volts, yet not even the radio or dummy lights come on. I don't see any wiring damage either, just damage to the ignition on the column.

[hundahunta]

maybe a fuse popped or the ignition switch is internally broken..

[catback23]

Originally Posted by hundahunta

maybe a fuse popped or the ignition switch is internally broken..

Your username here doesn't sound like someone who would visit the dodge forums. But I took off the column shrouds and took a look, both ideas of yours were right. The switch is destroyed to bits to the point it's shorted and won't do anything (dumbass thieves) and not one but two fuses are blown which fortunately for me prevented them from stealing my baby.

After this ordeal I think I'm going to stop postponing and put an alarm/remote start on the truck.

Anyone know of any good places to get an ignition switch, lock cylinder (ignition), and steering column shrouds? How about alarms, what's good out there?