Ignition cylinder or ignition switch?

I'm new here and I'm working on my son's '97 4R. He finished boot camp in the Army, now he wants me to fix his truck (why HE didn't before he left is a good question).

When he turns off his ignition and removes the key, it beeps like he left the key in the ignition and will drain the battery. I bought a new OEM ignition cylinder, replaced and checked it. With the panel still off and the white plastic push pin still out, the truck started fine. However, I can't turn the key to the off position and remove it (continues to beep). Once I disconnect the battery, I can move it to the off position and remove the key.

It may be secondary, but the old cylinder will allow the key to be removed at all positions. There's a lot of play with the key.

I'm not sure why the electronics won't allow me to turn it off. Is this an ignition switch problem? Thanks in advance.

 

it sounds like it has an automatic transmission. If it is a manual it is something else. If it is an auto push the shifter forward into park with one hand and hold it there and turn the key off with the other, it should come out. The bushings on the shifter pivot wear and junk gets down in there and prevents the shifter from fully seating not allowing the interlock to work... I wish I had a picture.

 

Is this the type picture you meant? This came from T4R.org discussion about sloppy shift lever bushings:

https://tinyurl.com/y4m3drza

 

yes, verify first please. look at # 33058 mechanism and you will see what I am talking about. FYI, on the shifter bezel, the PRNDL thing, on the top/right left you will see a white platic lever. If you push/pull this, this unlocks the shifter so that you can get it into neutral for tow truck purposes.

 

Great info, thanks. It is an auto transmission. One point to clarify, if it is the shift lever bushing, why would I have to disconnect the battery so the key will go to the off position?