Bama91XJ

Hey Guys,

I need some help, I had a bad ignition and slide a new one in and it works but I cant turn the key back to the lock position the get the key out, The old one would not either but the whole thing would come out in the old one, The new one is stuck in there which is good but I cant get the key out.

I noticed the notch on the side of the column and the metal piece inside that slides when your turning the key. It there something I am missing or something I am not doing to get the key out.


91 Cherokee Laredo
Tilt column

NewXJaddict

I might be pointing out the obvious here but on mine there is a little lever on the side of the column that you push down to get the key out.... Not trying to make you feel silly or anything and I'm not sure about the newer models. I would assume you have had the Jeep for a while and already know about the lever unless for some reason it was broken off when you got it?

Just tossing out my little bit of info.

Bama91XJ

No I dont have a leaver that I push but the key wont rotate to the (lock) position on the column either thats why i need to know what might be stopping it or how to take the column apart?

NewXJaddict

oh not sure then. That's beyond my experience. Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in and help ya figure it out.

Bama91XJ

I hope so, I cant leave the key in when i go somewhere, even if i cant lock my doors.

Abovetimberline

Did you disconnect the cable from the shifter? have you tried to adjust the switch? maybe it needs to be adjusted. The cable from the shifter is what is causing the problem,it is not retracting enough to allow the steering wheel to lock.

Bama91XJ

Could You tell me how? I didnt do it I have only owned the jeep for a week today.

Abovetimberline

On your gear shift there is two cables,one for the trany and the other for your steering wheel lock,it is there to make sure the trany is in park. If you removed the cable on the colum it will not allow the wheel lock to retract towards the steering wheel and engage to the lockplate. The best wat to tell is lower the colum down by removing the two 15mm nuts from under the dash and that will give you access to the colum better where you can see it,the cable snaps on the wheel lock and slides into a bracket that comes of your ign switch and dimmer switch.

Bama91XJ

So I need to take the lower part of the dash apart and find what?

The Stuff Underneath are wild, its like they took everything loose and zippy tied it together. So I need to know what I am looking for.

Abovetimberline

There is two 15mm bolts that hold the colum up,remove them and allow the colum to lower down,this will allow you to see the colum better,the rod I am talking about is attached on the left side to a bracket on the left side attached to the dimmer switch,it is possible you did not put it back on,or the switch needs to be adjusted,all the zip ties and stuff is holding up your wires which is easier to keep ot of the way than trying to duplicate the factory install,just be careful when you lower the colum,it will not fall that far because it is still attached to the firewall. I am looking for my pictures of it but no luck yet.

Bama91XJ

thanks I am a bit lite (drunk) right now but I will read this again when I wake up and I will go see and I am sure it will make more sense to me then, the pics would help a bunch.

Abovetimberline

This piture shows the cable and where it connects to,it runs up to the wheel lockplate,my finger is on the dimmer switch the cable and rod is just above my finger.

Bama91XJ

ok my dimmer switch is not there its down under the dash but I will look after I get the two 15 mm bolts out tomorrow, thanks for the help.

Abovetimberline

Your dimmer is in the same place as this one,it is attached to the same nuts you would have to remove to get the ign switch off,unless you are talking about the tumbler on the colum where you put your key,did you replace the switch or the tumbler?

Abovetimberline

If you removed the tumbler and not the switch itself it is possible that the buzzer assembly is not in right,it is to be put in with the key in the on position,see pic. It is the white item with the brass and silver arm on it.