98 Cherokee Sport. If I wiggle the crap out of the key I can turn it back to accessory and forward a little bit. But I have to wiggle it like crazy to move it that little bit. Can't get it to start. The steering wheel is not locked.

Also cannot shift. It's stuck in park.

How do I troubleshoot this? It's at a parking lot right now and I need to get it home and would rather not tow it.

 

Your ignition switch actuator pin is broken 20 something bucks almost anywhere. You need a number 10 torx security bit. Not going to get any of that at 8pm on thanksgiving. Take the 2 plastic covers off the steering column...look straight up from below in line with the key cyl. The grey metal box hanging down is shift lockout. Unbolt with torx bit and you can shift. Flat plastic thing with wires on the left is ign switch . Torx bit thats visible and 2 white plastic clips from ignition pin hold it in place...pop it off and you can start with a screwdriver placed in the square drive on inside once removed put key to on...press a small retainer on key cylinder and the whole cyl pops out. The white plastic holder with cheap metal square drive pin is whats broken. 20 min to fix with parts and tooling look up ignition switch actuator pin on google. Many different prices ...all the same part number

 

Thanks for that. Can it be overridden to get it moved or does have to be fixed to start?

 

Only overriden by taking apart....otherwise anyone can steal your car easy...sorry...keep trying the key, maybe it might catch but unlikely

 

If you put xfer case into N, you can tow it with another car since you say the steering is unlocked

 

This it?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ator+pin,17125

 

Yes. Same part numbers but one double price..same parts on amazon 15...i bought 2 when mine went. If you get the torx bit you can unlock it and use a screwdriver to run it. Until you get the actuator.

 

Thanks. Not sure if I have the torx. That's the way I'm gonna go.

 

tldr: I drove it home.

I originally thought this said a torx 30 which I wasn't sure if I had but of course I have a t10. I went to where the car is, it's actually my son's. I did all the tricks one more time, banging on it, hammering on it, cursing at it, the key wouldn't turn. I tried to push in the little release so I could take out the ignition cylinder but I couldn't get the key turned enough to do it.

After removing the cowling or whatever it's called around the steering column, I took off that little box with the two torx screws in it and a little spring came out. I don't know where that spring goes or how to put that back together. But once I got that box off I couldn't figure out any next step. I couldn't push in the release thing to get out the ignition cylinder. I couldn't get anything loose at all. I was on my back in the dark with a flashlight in my mouth getting pretty frustrated.

I wore a blister in my hand trying to get the key to turn to no avail.

Finally I took my Klein large flat head screwdriver, put it in the ignition and twisted and the Jeep fired up. I then turned it off. I put the key in it, and fired it up.

The key won't come all the way back to the off position. So I have to use the screwdriver to pull it back. So I'm not sure if this is a key problem or it's the tumbler or whatever it's called in a car. But I'm tired, I have the car at home, and I need to go to bed.

Tomorrow I need to figure out how to put that little thing with the spring back up in it and then figure out next steps. Thanks for your help everybody.

 

You could always replace the whole key cylinder. But then you would have 2 keys for your XJ. One for the doors and one for the ignition.
Good Luck to ya, some have been down the road you had to take!

 

Thanks, the big deal was getting the car home and folks being able to get to work. I think now that I can move it, I should be able to depress that (whatever) and get the key cylinder out, work it with graphite spray and see if maybe its just worn keys. They look reaaaalllly smooth. Again, the goal was get the car running first. Also, I have the whole blinker arm thing that needs replaced and we are about to drop the dash for the heat pump and condenser replacement so this will go on the list with a new muffler.