For a few weeks, I noticed that I was having to turn the key a little farther than normal each time I started my 87 XJ. Then when I turned it off, it started getting caught just before being put in the OFF position. It would be hard to turn and make a lock click when it did turn.

Finally, no matter how far I turned it, there was no start. Everything else would come on - lights, blinkers, a/c, etc, but the truck wouldn't even crank. I took the ignition switch off and it looked okay, but the rod would only go back to off a few times when I moved it by hand. Another reason I didn't think it was the ignition switch. I also replaced the ignition cylinder (where the key goes). Still nothing changed.

I stripped the steering wheel down to where the actuator rod turns from the key and now it moves to OFF but it still makes the hard click sound and doesn't start. Can't see it catching on the teeth wheel.

I gotta get this thing started. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

Tilt wheel?

 

Yes, it has a tilt wheel

 

There's a key shaped deal in there with teeth on it and they can break.

See page 25 in this link:

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...ck_Rebuild.pdf

 

Thanks! This looks like where my problem lies. Great document, too.

I'll post when I find the issue.