I have what appears to be 2 sets of original Chrysler keys and remote-locking Fobs for my '96 ( pre-update)

However yesterday, I found out the keys are not identical

1 key will lock & unlock doors, and operate the Ignition, but not operate the Ignition lock to the Accessory positon ( fully anti-clockwise)

The other key will operate the Ignition to all positions, but will not unlock any door

(I usually use the remote)

Upon close inspection I can see they are cut slightly different, although they appear quite similar

Is this Normal ?

I had a spare cut and taped to my Chassis, wont help me if I cant unlock the door though !

If I am just sitting in my vehicle waiting, I prefer to listen to radio in accessory position, as other vehicle power is not activated

 

On my 98xj the OE key worked on both the door and the ign. Until the door locks had to be replaced, now I use 2 keys on my ring.

 

It is possible that a key could have been cut slightly differently, or have worn down over the years. When I got my Jeep, it came with two keys. The older man who owned it used one key for the entire life of the vehicle, and never used the spare key.

You could have a locksmith look at it. As I recall, there are no chips in the key in 96, correct?

 

no chips..a '96 is pre-update, so same as 94-95. You can visibly see the keys are cut differently, so cant be wear

There are only 2 possibilities ( I can think of)

1) This is the way they came from the Factory (hence my post)

2) At some point, there has been a lock failure and the entire door lock set has been changed out

It still does not explain why both keys operate the Ignition, but one wont operate it to the "accessory" position

I will go to the key cutters and get a couple more cut

I have a spare taped under the chassis in case I ever lose them

 

Most likely your ignition and/or door lock cylinder has been replaced in the past. My old '94 ZJ was like that... I only had keys to start it, and had to get the OEM remote in order to lock/unlock the Jeep.

-Vince