Ford: 1988 Ford F150 ignition., reverse light switch, there some sort

Question

When key is turned, excessive play in the turn and no electrical contact made to spin starter.  Examination by mechanic showed battery and connections to be ok, starter to be functioning, solenoid to be ok, starter switch to be ok. Replaced ignition lock cylinder hoping to eliminate looseness in ignition, but discovered that  there appears to be side to side movement in the actuator rod leading from the ignition lock down to ignition switch on bottom of steering column.  Is there some sort of retaining device or stabilizing retainer for that actuator rod  that would prevent sidereal movement of the actuator rod (which prevents the spring loaded appearance of the ignition lock from the start position)?  Perhaps somewhere hidden just below the ignition lock under the steering column covering?  Also, where is the transmission neutral switch located?  I suspect that it is either non functioning or perhaps needing adjustment.  Is there any other area to investigate that could cause a non start situation?

Answer
Ok.. there is no stabilizer for the ignition rod... (Thanks ford....) the main places to check are the plysical ignition switch on the column (the switch at the bottom... not the key at the top...) the neutral safty switch is in the transmisson it is a round plug with 4 or 5 wires... (For the AOD) it also has the reverse light switch in the same spot...(reverse and neutral safty in the same switch... ) Also, does your truck have or has it ever had an aftermarket alarm?? That could cause this also... Good luck and let me know what happens... :)