pvsprme

On my 89 Ltd the ignition key occasionally won’t come out of the cylinder when my daughter shuts it off. The car is 200 miles away and I’ve got a chance to experience this once; the steering wheel was turned to the left, but not full lock. I started it up and returned the wheel to center and shut it off; no issue. It’s happened to her again, several times. She says sometimes centering the wheel works, other times it doesn’t.
Is this an issue of ignition cylinder wear, replacement required?

freegdr

Sure it in park completely.

pvsprme

I think so, it will start so has to be?

freegdr

Theres a cable mounted to the floor shifter that runs to coloumn that allows removal of key when in park. Not saying thats the problem but that would be where I would look first. Read this....https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/94-...me-out-242916/

pvsprme

Thanks, I’ll check that out.

xjnm

try taking the shift handle button t shaped piece off, and then see if the key will come out. When this happened to me it was because there was to much pressure on that cable, and the interlock wouldn't fully disengage. Also, you can just take off the plastic bezle and start disassembling til it comes out. Then you know what part is causing the problem.

pvsprme

Do you mean the bezel on the floor shifter?

xjnm

the actual shifter handle. The top part comes off if you yank really hard, and putting it in 1st helps. It's the top "-" part of the "T" shape, I'm assuming its automatic. It may not be your problem but for me this fixed it. Otherwise just start looking at it and trying to figure out how it works and what is sticking.

Edit-- Also, you can take the ignition cylinder out and see if the key goes in and out of the cylinder when it's out of the jeep. This will determine if it's the cylinder or the interlock.