Dad, what's the Jeep doing in the pool??
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 59
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From: Havasu
Year: ‘95
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Ok, current update, my not so mint anymore Cherokee is running and on the road. Oil pressure and fuel gauge are working. Tach, engine temp and volt gauges are not. Alternator is putting out proper voltage. All interior and exterior lights are working. I’ve prolly put a billion cu. ft. of air thru the interior with carpet dryers so I think I’m pretty dry inside. Still can’t turn the key to OFF to pull the key out. I have to pull the dist plug out to kill the motor.
Question, there’s some kind of rod that allows the ign sw to fully turn off, correct? Does anyone know how that is actuated?
Question, there’s some kind of rod that allows the ign sw to fully turn off, correct? Does anyone know how that is actuated?
Last edited by cclay; Dec 16, 2018 at 01:24 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If you haven't pulled the carpet out yet, be sure to do that, even if it appears dry the insulation under it will still be soked and it is almost impossible to dry out without pulling the carpet. My Jeep sat in a dry garage for 5 months and when I pulled the carpet out the insulation was still full of water.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 338
From: PA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Like said, pull the seats and carpet if you havent done so already, even if you think its dry. You want/need to be 100% positive they are. If things remain damp for too long, youve got mold and mildew to take care of, which can be hard to remove. So its not just your vehicles health here, but yours.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
There is an ignition interlock cable that connects the shifter to the ignition switch that may have come loose when it went into the water, maybe when your girlfriend's chest hit the steering wheel. The transmission has to be in Park to remove the key. There's also and electrical solenoid that won't let you take it out of Park until your foot is on the brake. Both of these can be eliminated and still drive it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 59
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From: Havasu
Year: ‘95
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I see something inside the column that might be a rod or something. There’s a little black plastic thing mounted with 2 Phillips screws right in front of the ign sw on the outside of the column. Looks like a little plastic tit that has a spring attached to it is a part of the plastic thing
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Havasu
Year: ‘95
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I took the ign sw out and messed with it and got it to free up. There is no rod or cable on mine. I have no clue as to why it was stuck. Probably because it was a super cheap aftermarket one that was put in 6 months ago. My neutral ss works too. Thx guys.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 17
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From: Higganum,CT
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Hopefully this pool wasn't using brackish water. Some people are switching to brackish in their pools. Granted its not as bad as ocean water, but none the less.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 802
Likes: 140
From: NJ
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
That's great its up and running. You may be better off getting a new cluster, they really are not expensive. Any good speedometer shop can reset the mileage on the new cluster to match the cluster on your old one. There is probably a form you may have to have filled out for the dmv, if need be. Also, PULL THE CARPET AND SEATS! It will be a lot of work, but you will only have to do it once. While its out you can also throw a coating of some sort on the floor to make sure the floors stay rust free. If the water lays in the floorpans for awhile, you may start to get some rust. (Sidenote, if you do decide to coat the floors, Rust Bullet can be brushed on after surface prep, and will work quite well. Coming from NJ, my worst enemy is salt and rust lol).
Also,you are 100% right, it is mint. In my opinion, a Jeep can be mint and modified, that's my goal with mine.
Also,you are 100% right, it is mint. In my opinion, a Jeep can be mint and modified, that's my goal with mine.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 523
Likes: 99
From: PA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 12
From: 9000 ft, CO
Year: 1999 XJ
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
