He doesn't need a programmed key.

And no you don't in that truck.

 

It's a 97.

 

Shoot, if you took a corner a little fast in the old 98 , the keys would drop out of the ignition.....it wouldn't care.

 

Nonsense. See my previous observation. This is a 97, no PATS.

 

I still have not solved my ignition Problem. The thieves never opened hood. they just forced key cylinder with with a screw driver. I replaced key cylinder and ignition switch. Still won't start. No click no anything. Dash lights etc all respond to key positions.

 

Re-read the whole thread and follow the suggestions. Looks like you haven't even confirmed that the starter relay is intact or tested for power at the relay. You need to check under the hood. Who knows where the thieves have been.

 

I know that the thieves were not under the hood as my neighbor (elderly lady) across the street watched the whole attempt from her bathroom window. It would seem to me that the problem should be in the cab is their an explanation of the positions of the ignition switch tongue ( or whatever it's called)

 

Do the above then.

There's a single wire that provides power to the starter relay. You can check for voltage at the relay itself or at the wires around the ignition switch. If you're not even getting a click from the starter relay then there's probably a break in the circuit from the relay to the switch.

If you don't know much about electrical you should find somebody who does. There's no easy replace-a-part solution for your problem. No offense intended. This is a meter or test light problem. Electrical.

 

How do I determine if the actual switch is mechanically engaged all the way in the START position? I have a concern about that because of their forcing the ignition.

 

some sites say this is the starter relay. some say this is starter solenoid switch
This is easy to find under hood

Some sites say this is starter relay, but they are inconsistent on location??
Where definitely is this located? As the Relays themselves don't have labels on them