ignition switch + gear selector problems on 7.3

[Mik]

leaving a campsite on a sunday...turn the key...no start. that was ok...i jumped the solenoid under the hood to get it started.

but then i couldn't get the gear selector out of park

after 2hrs of fiddling around pushing and pulling on the selector, turning the key back and forth, pulled the ignition switch out, etc etc...finally a few small pieces of red plastic came out of the sterring column near the tilt handle.

the ignition switch had been getting tight to turn to the start position prior to this. now i can see the switch doesn't push the rod on the column far enough down to start the engine...but be damned if i can figure out why

anyway, fianlly the shifter would come out of park and it appears ok now (no longer have to press the brake to shift out of park though)

just wanted to ask you folks if you think it is the ignition switch that is buggered or if there is another reason why turning the key all the way doesn't push that rod far enough

so right now i start it by turning the key to the run position and pushing that rod down with a pair of pliers

thanks