Hey all - I've had a 95 for maybe two months now. When I start it, I need to manually rotate the key back to "on" after it starts - there's no spring tension to bring it back by itself. Also, I have to rotate it back and forth a few times to both shut everything off and get the key out - just yesterday I got the key out but the radio and lights all stayed on - had to put the key back in and keep fiddling until everything was off and the key would come out.

I mean, it's workable, but it ain't great. Any idea what I'm looking at here?

Thanks a lot!

 

The fix

The ignition switch is a long boxy item down on the steering column. It is connected to the key lock cylinder by means of a metal rod. All you need to do is get another ignition switch, Rockauto, or any parts store, and disconnect the connector on the old switch, remove a couple bolts that hold it to the steering column, and remove the old switch. You will see the connecting rod there, just pull it out of the old switch and do the same thing in reverse to install the new switch. You'll love having a good switch. You could maybe repair the old one but why? Just install the new switch and be done with it. Hope this helps.

 

Ok well THAT couldn't have been any better explained - man, thank you so much! Quick and easy.

Just to be TRIPLE sure....this look OK?

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...n+switch&pos=0

Thanks again aa7!!

 

Well news update - got the new ignition switch, and after a lot of messing around managed to get the old key cylinder out of the old switch. Because it was broken and rotating more than it should, etc., it took a while to get out since "Lock", "Off", and the other positions were now more of a concept than a fixed location.

Anyway, got it out and put it in the new ignition switch. Seemed fine until I turned it to "start" - and it did the SAME thing, kind of bound at "start" and wouldn't come back, etc. So I figured OK, well now I know it's an issue with the key cylinder. BUT, after binding in the "start" position a few times, something happened inside and it seemed to turn more freely than it should.

So long story short, had to break parts of the old ignition switch to get the key cylinder out, and when I did get it out, it got stuck in the new ignition switch. So I had to buy a whole new ignition switch (again) as well as a new key cylinder. I said some things I shouldn't have said.

BUT, it's all in and works fantastic. So what if I have to carry a key for the door and a key for the ignition. Thanks for the tip, aa7 - my XJ is a lot better off now!

 

Locks can be re-keyed.

 

Yeah, but I can't figure out how to recode my new key cylinder since the old one is stuck in an ignition switch :/