Bad Starter Switch/cylinder?

[Logans Run]

OK... I havent been on for a long time ... so welcome back me lol

I havent driven my jeep in about 5 or 6 months (I was driving a company vehicle all that time).. anyway, the battery was dead, and the electric fuel pump was dead. I just changed out the fuel pump and charged the battery and she started right up
....The Problem......
.
The ignition switch had been giving me problems before, but now it is kind of jammed, I think in the "ON" position but she wont engage the solenoid.
How hard is this to fix and what do I need to do?
The steering column is from my old 76 Wagoneer.

[Logans Run]

And how do you get the cylinder out and the new one in?

[Ryan]

the cylinder requires you to disassemble the top of the column. You'll pull the wheel, etc., and there is a little rectangular opening that is typically covered with excess flashing. You insert a flathead screwdriver into the hole, punch out the flashing, and continue to hit the release tab for the cylinder, and it slides right out.

[Logans Run]

Thanks Ryan.
I looked up the part on line, Pep Boy said they had one for $16. I went down there and of course they were out of stock and said they couldnt get them any more, so I go to another place and they have one in stock for $79.
Thats a huge difference. So I finally found one for $30, that is do-able.

[Logans Run]

cylinder wasnt really the problem

The real problem is the little gear that pulls out the lever (like rack and pinion) has a missing tooth and it makes everything fall out of sequence.
anyone know where I can get one of these or should I just bypass the whole system and put in a push button start switch?

[Ryan]

we also sell them here:
http://www.bjsoffroad.com/prodinfo.asp?pid=464&cid=21

For the gear, you'd have to get that used. Try Jakes at 828.675.0579.