I have a 1984 Cherokee that sometimes won't start and has quite a bit of play in the steering column. When I turn the key and get nothing I can do a couple of things that get it to start usually. First I wiggle the steering wheel/column and if that doesn't work then I mess with the black box on top of the steering column under the hood. One of these usually gets it started but not always like now. I decided to change the column with hopes to fix this issue and it needs replaced because of all the play. I haven't been able to find a 1984 column but I did find a 1985. Can I put the 1985 column in the 1984 Cherokee? I've researched this and keep finding conflicting answers. The Salvage yard that has the 1985 says the 1985 will NOT work but I have found threads saying it will work. Both have the tilt, pulse wipers and automatic on floor.

 

Sound like with all the slop in the column, the rod from the lock cylinder to the ignition switch may not be making good contact with the switch. As for the column, 84, 85, and 86 "should" be the same, as this was the first years of the Cherokee with the 2.5, and 2.8 v6. As long as both have tilt and cruise, it should work. If not, the lock cylinder and dimmer switch can be moved to the new column. It can be a pain to fish the wiring through the new column though. I would also replace the ignition switch with a new one while it is out. I have had two in the past on two different XJs go bad.