2001 Ram 1500 5.2L, 4x4. No power locks or doors, old school key only ignition (no fob). No alarm system either. Was running fine, only body rust.

Situation: An inept thief punched the door lock and cracked the column damaging the cylinder and ignition switch. The semi competent locksmith I hired fixed the door lock and rekeyed a replacement cylinder for the ignition, but installed what was clearly the wrong ignition switch (not even close on the part #). It kept wanting a signal from a fob; as there was no fob it wasn't going to receive one. I went and bought a brand new ignition switch from Chrylser and installed it, despite it not being the exact same part #. Supposedly this new version is interchangeable ( AB vs AA)

I have the new ignition switch installed and when I go to try and start it all that runs is the fan, and the alarm when the door is open. No power to the clock, gauges, radio. There is power, the battery is not the issue. I should at least get a glimmer out of the gauges and/or clock and the starter should at least click. I have looked for damage elsewhere, under the dash etc and can find nothing. The thief did not tinker under the hood either. The starter is intact (was replaced brand new 2 years ago. Almost a full tank of gas.

Am looking for suggestions before I get this stowed to a garage and fork out more $$.Any help would be much appreciated.

 

AB is a newer revision of the AA part so that is not the problem. What exact part number switch do you have ?
Check fuses 2 and 10 in the PDC, there are two separate power feeds to the ignition switch.

 

The original switch is part # 56045879AA.

 

Ok, 56045879AB is the current version. If it's not one of the fuses mentioned have a really close look at the wiring along the column and check that the connectors are fully seated. There have been issues with connectors being pulled apart by moving the tilt column up.