sams88xj

Last week i got an 88 Jeep Cherokee for 900 bucks, couldnt turn it down, starts every time only 113k miles.

Problem is, it will not shut off with the key, i have to pull a relay to get it to shut off. When i connect the battery the fuel pump primes and the dash lights come on as if the key is in the "On" position, but without the key even in.

I have replaced Ignition switch, Ignition lock cylinder, and disconnected PCM.

With NOTHING connected, the fuel pump engages, and lights on dash come on like the key is in and turned on.

Im completely lost. Please help.

Also i tried pulling each of the 4 relays by the battery/distributor to see if they shut the lights off and none of them did.

Firestorm500

"Starts every time"

But won't shut off.

No wonder it was so cheap.

Sounds like somebody hotwired this thing.

There are some wires touching together somewhere that shouldn't be. Could be in the steering column itself.

Start pulling fuses one at a time (the ones inside) until your fuel pump and lights DON'T come on. Then check that circuit.

sams88xj

thanks, i will try that but i dont know if itll work because i have all the wires coming from the steering column disconnected from their counterparts.

sams88xj

Ok i pulled each fuse, the only one that makes the lights go off is the "gauges" 7.5 amp fuse, which should make them go off anyways right?

So i went ahead and disconnected/reconnected the battery, and the fuel pump does not come on now (which is a good sign i believe)

How would i go about checking that circuit? Will I have to pull the dash out and check all the wires from the gauge cluster down?

sams88xj

Ok, so its not a short in any of the fuse circuits, i think it may be something grounding out in the harness for the ignition switch causing it to seeem like the key is in the "on" position all the time.

Is this theory viable?

Firestorm500

I think you're on the right track. As I said earlier, some wires are "crossed" or touching something they shouldn't.

Inside the column/switch area could be where it is.

sams88xj

Im thinking its somewhere PAST the ignition switch in the harness, since it was still doing it with everything from the column disconnected. Tomorrow ill be trying to figure out how to follow the harness from the switch to wherever it goes.

Firestorm500

So it would be from where the harness plugs in after the steering column to the engine area?

sams88xj

Thats what im thinking because of the fact that i had it completely unplugged and it was still getting power like it was in the "on" position.

sams88xj

Update, ive given up on finding whatever wires are crossed, i have decided to wire a battery shutoff switch into the vehicle and a switch to either the fuel pump or fuel pump relay to shut the engine off.

any thoughts?

freegdr

are ther any extra wires tapped in to the fuse box

freegdr

are there any wires sticking out of the fuse holes marked ign

freegdr

here

WantACherokee

I am having this exact same issue, can't shut the Jeep off once it's started. I've owned it for a few months and it never had this problem until the other day. I have no idea what's causing it. I tried replacing the ignition switch but it made no difference. Anyone have any ideas? Mine is a 1987.

I was also thinking about wiring in a kill switch to either the fuel pump or the ignition coil, just so I can drive the Jeep until it's fixed for good. I don't know which wire I would tap into for either one, though. Can anyone tell me?

freegdr

read thishttp://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/j...hut-off-76682/