My crankshaft position sensor recently went bad while I was at a traffic light in my 2000 Jeep Cherokee. When this occurred, I had difficulty getting the key out of the ignition and had to use quite a good amount of force to remove it.

After replacing the CPS, I could turn my key right to the accessory position and to the on position but I can't turn it all the way to the left to the "off" position. I ordered a replacement ignition lock cylinder off of Amazon for $15 and replaced but encountered the same issue.

Any idea what the fix would be? Do I need to order a new Ignition Switch Actuator Pin?

 

Additional background- I'm able to start the car and drive. When I park and turn the key in the ignition to the left it doesn't allow me to turn the key all the way to the left. When I wiggle the key, the beeping noise turns on like it is in accessory mode even though the radio doesn't turn on. When I turn on the head lights, the beeping noise comes on even though it didn't before. I'm worried this may drain the battery over time.

Thoughts anyone?

 

Auto trans? Try pushing the shifter further toward the Park position.

 

Yes, it's automatic. I tried pushing it further but that did not seem to allow the key to move further to the left.

The key is almost at a 12 o clock position whereas it should be more like a 9 or 10 o clock position.

 

Have you read the relevant Chapter in the FSM ?

I seem to recall there is a long rod that prevents start & key removal etc in the auto, and that attention has to be paid to making sure all is aligned when replacing ignitions

 

Thanks for that piece of information. I found the sections below in the FSM that may resolve the issue. Will take a look later.