1995 Jeep Cherokee key cylinder

I am having trouble somewhere in the key/ignition area. It started out as when starting my cherokee I would have to turn the key back a hair to keep it running after it started but recently it stopped working all together. I put gas in it and then tried to start it and what happens is the key turns to start the jeep but then falls back to shut off. I can start it but it keeps doing the same thing. If I hold the key it will stay running. To get it home I used plastic ties to hold the key in place by wrapping it around the ciggerette lighter through the key itself. It stayed running but I didnt have turn signals or windshield wipers I guess because the key was not back where it should be. I replaced the key cylinder but that didnt change anything. I think the problem might be with the column lock flag but I dont see any major wear in the metal flag. Ould it be there is wear in where the flag sits?