The key didn't want to turn this morning. Acted like the steering lock or shift lock were engaged but neither were. It eventually turned but it felt like something slipped.

The key turns from off to accessory or from off to run with little to no resistance. There are no stops for accessory, off, or run. It will just turn freely.

It will turn to start and return to run as normal. The engine cranks up and runs fine. The key itself will turn to the off position, but it will not kill the engine. Had to pull the coil wire to turn the engine off.

My first assumption was a problem with the lock cylinder. I changed that out but that did not help at all.

What's the best way to determine if it's the actuator rod or switch?

 

Pull the ignition switch and actuate it with a screwdriver. Examine it to make sure it is not separating.

 

what year truck?
on the 91 and older trucks the actuator will break in the no start position 99% of the time. but i have seen 4 break in the no shut off position.

 

It's a '95 with the plastic actuator rod.

 

ok. sorry, i never messed with one of them except to replace the ignition switch when it went bad and would not start.

 

The pin falls out of the plastic ones
Not much harder to replace than the old pot metal ones

 

Checked the switch. It was fine.

Pulled the steering column. When I laid it one the workbench, the pin from the ignition actuator rod fell on the bench. Got the new one installed. The hardest part was getting the tilt spring reinstalled.