I need to replace my steering column, is there a replacement available or one that would be compatible from another make and model? My mechanic said the tumbler housing is worn out causing intermentant starting problems.

 

Replacing it with the similar year xj/mj would be ideal.

Are you auto- floor/column shift. Or Manual trans?

 

I find it hard to believe your column components are worn out. You can buy a replacement tumbler assy for 20-50 bucks. More likely the driver for the ignition switch called IGNITION SWITCH ACTUATOR PIN. Is bad or worn...do some research they are only about 3 different models for every car in the world. I got one from amazon for 15 bucks. You can access and remove all of these parts in 15 min

 

Mine is standered floor shift. The problem in my area is there are no XJ's in the junkyards but I'll still check around for both styles.

 

My Jeep is a 1988 XJ with over 300,000 miles and is used as a daily driver.

 

I have one if your interested, it's from a 90 MJ. Grey in color. I don't recall if it's a tilt column or not though. Should work either way

 

www.car-part.com

 

I did find one on Ebay from an MJ with the tilt. How much would you want for it and could you send a picture or two?

 

Thanks, I found one on that site that's near me.

 

$50 plus the shipping

 

Thanks, I'll let you know, my mechanic is double checking to see if just the ignition switch is the issue.

 

The key only rotates the cylinder and pushes/pulls a rod that connects to the ignition switch at the bottom of the column.

Do all of the other key positions work? Does it not crank when turned to START?

Check your neutral safety switch (NSS).

 

On my 01 its all rotational motion straight across the column. My key rotates the tumbler mechanism which rotates this crappy pot metal shaft that crosses the column. At the far left side of the column is the ignition switch with a " square" hole in it..the end of that potmetal shaft is a thin square extension that fits into the square hole in the ignition switch. My square shaft broke/ cracked and would not turn the ignition switch to start...it has to fight a pretty good internal spring to get to start position. There is also some monkey motion in that shaft that will not allow key rotation with the gear selector not in P or N...might be different in earlier years...first time in 25 years i was ever in there

 

All of the other positions do work, I believe my mechanic checked the NSS but I'll ask him just incase he didn't.

 

It will start but not every time. I actually had my Jeep almost stolen the first year I bought it, the only way to start it at that time was to pull up on the rod.
Also a note of interest was in 1988 or 89 one of the auto magazines had an article on the 5 or 10 most stolen SUV's my model was one of them. It read "1988 Jeep Cherokee Laredo" which is what mine is.