Ford F150 - ignition doesn't work

i have a '89 F150 2wd pickup with tilt wheel. i got in my truck and started it, but the key switch did not return to run position. i had to manually return it. the next day i tried to start my truck but it sounded like something was breaking or crunching when i turned the key cylinder. i replaced the cylinder, same symptoms, it would not start. i took the steering wheel off the column to check everything out, it looked okay, but when you turn the ignition cylinder, accesory power comes on but the engine does not try to start. there is a thin rod with a 90 degree angle on one end that goes forward down the steering column. if you push the rod forward with your hand the truck will start. to shut the engine off, just pull the rod back out toward the driver. it looks like the linkages between the ignition cylinder and the rod fall to the left when you turn the cylinder to start, thus not allowing the rod to go in to the column far enough to start the engine. what can i do to correct this so i can start my truck with the key cylinder again? is there pictures available where i can see what this portion of my steering column looks like or if i have pieces possibly missing thanks.

best advice is to get a haynes or chilton repair manual.

I had this happen in my 1990 f-150. Theres a little guide inside the column that is somewhat fragile after being used forever they break. Its actually quite common in the tilt columns theres really nothing you can do to fix it cept swap out the column.

I found this part on @ http://www.lmctruck.com/ you can get a free catalog and find your trucks year to find the right replacement part its take some patience to pull apart the whole colmn tho

It's called the actuator, and it's shown in the circle at the top of the first diagram, and again in the second (3E715 & 3E723). It's a PITA to replace, so if you can find a shop to do it for under $100, it's worth it.

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