I need some help from folks that might help me diagnose what is going on here. The truck will crank, but as soon as I take my hand off the ignition cylinder it kicks back and the truck dies.

Felt like this would be a fairly easy fix, just put in a new ignition cylinder and off to the races. However, with the new cylinder in place it is still doing the same thing.

I have looked at the actuator rod, and it does not appear to be loose or damaged.

Any thoughts on what could be causing this and what I could do to fix it?

 

Sounds like the detent in your ignition switch is broken. Try taking the ignition switch off the column and working it by hand with a screwdriver. You may find the ignition switch is coming apart when you do.

 

thats the part under the dash on top of the column correct?

 

Yes, down near the firewall.

 

could this also be what is causing issues with dash lights and radio not working as well? Again, I can usually get them to work if I move the ke to just the right position.

 

Yes, possibly.