Just bought an '89 xj awhile back. 5 speed 4.0 4wd. It runs really good. No major problems but a couple of annoying minor ones.
First one...the ignition key doesn't want to come out of the switch. The PO said he didn't know what the problem was and had never been able to fix it. He kept the ignition switch covered whenever he was out of the jeep so it wouldn't look like an open invitation. I discovered that I could reach up under the dash and snake my arm along the column to a little actuator that releases the key. So now I can get the key out but the method is a PITA if I'm out and have to make several stops.
Was there originally a release button somewhere on the column?

Second problem I know you're all familiar with because so many threads came up from search...high idle. At first it was about 1K to 1200. I pulled the TB and cleaned it up real good. Cleaned the idle control valve too. When I went to put the TB back on I realized that the parts house gave me the wrong gasket so I reused the old one. Idled at 2500-3000 lol. I went back and got the right gasket and installed it. Cranked it up and it idled perfectly at ~850. I let it run while I talked to a neighbor. I noticed the idle creeping back up after a while. Ended up at around 1500. When I first start it up it's right on 850 but within a few minutes it creeps up around 1500. It's like the idle valve is working in reverse.
When I first start the engine the tach sweeps up to ~2200 and immediately drops to normal. I've heard this indicates that the idle valve is working? It just seems backwards that idle speed is right on when I start it up but as the motor warms up the idle goes up. I need to find time to get the meter out and check the resistance and voltage but this doesn't sound like an idle valve or TPS problem. Is there a cylinder head temp sensor on this motor?
I've had to replace the valve cover gasket and all the crankcase ventilation parts due to oil blowing into the air filter and I've checked the rest of the vacuum lines and they all seem good.
One more thing...there's an illuminated arrow right next to the parking brake light. Is that a shift light?

 

Anybody have any input on that first question?
ignition key doesn't want to come out of the switch. The PO said he didn't know what the problem was and had never been able to fix it. He kept the ignition switch covered whenever he was out of the jeep so it wouldn't look like an open invitation. I discovered that I could reach up under the dash and snake my arm along the column to a little actuator that releases the key. So now I can get the key out but the method is a PITA if I'm out and have to make several stops.
Was there originally a release button somewhere on the column?

 

to my knowlege there is no release button, sounds like the lock cylinder is worn and not going all the way back when you turn the key off. the rod you have to fiddle with under the dash is what connects the lock cylinder to the ignition switch.

 

No I have an 89 & it doesn't, but it sounds like a nutral safty switch problem!

 

your other problem sounds like a ported vaccuum switch. it opens as the engine warms up. if there is a leak or a crack in the switch, the warmer the engine gets the bigger the vaccuum leak.

 

his doesnt have a NSS. (manual trans). only a clutch lock out switch.

 

yes there was a release lever for the key to back out far enough to come out.

 

Lol I noticed that after I had posted!

 

i had to go back and reread it to make sure he said 5spd. love your 2dr.

 

Thanks is ur 2 or 4 door?

 

I have that lever on my MJ and I think they were only on manual tranny Cherokees/Comanches I have a spare column from a auto and it has no release lever like the manual one does.

 

sent you PM

 

Hahaha...you guys can't stay on topic any better than the guys at the z boards I post at
I think I got some good answers though and I appreciate it. I'm pretty sure there was a release lever on the column at one time. Or this could be a replacement column cover. Anyway when I reach up under the dash to the actual column, what I'm doing is pushing an actuator on that cable somebody mentioned. I'm not doing anything to the cable itself. So there was a button/lever at one time that would have been used to move that actuator to release the key.
I guess I'll just have to pull the wheel and remove the cover and see what I can rig up.
Ok...now I need to find the ported vac switch. That should be easy enough.
I was thinking that there might be a CHTS gone bad causing that high idle but I like ported vac switch better. If it's cracked I'll just JB Weld it. Last time I bought a ported vac switch was back in the 90's for a 280zx. That part was about $65 back then.
One more question...a couple of times recently my headlight wanted to stay on. Think the switch is going bad?

 

The switch looks fine. Looks like a really simple device but do you know if the internal part ever goes haywire?

Do you know where it was installed on the column?

 

ok i know that my for my cherokee the main headlights stay on if u turn it off and then turn the lights out. but i know they turn off in like under 5mins.