2001 XJ. Two days ago I put my key in the ignition and it wouldn't turn on. I tried my spare key and it work fine, for a while. Then it started doing the same thing. Fearing I would get stranded, I left the key in, in the off position.

I replaced the ignition switch and everything worked fine, for two days. Now the key won't come out of the ignition switch! Locksmith said it was something "farther down" in the column causing the problem.

I've never had a problem someone on this forum hasn't addressed somewhere along the way. HELP!!!

 

does key turn to all positions?

 

No. The key turns counterclockwise one "click" to the off position only. It does not turn to the position where the ley can be removed from the switch.


I bought an aftermarket replacement switch from Autozone, had a locksmith key it to match my old key. It worked 2 days.


Old symptom: I put new in ignition switch and it wouldn't turn the switch at all. After several tries, and using my spare key, I got it to start the car.


New symptom: The key won't come out of the switch, as stated above.


Seems like if there was a problem somewhere else in the system, the symptom wouldn't have changed. Did I just get a bad switch? Or did the re-keying of the tumblers fail?

Preacher Dave
Jeremiah 9:23-24

 

remove switch see whats sticking switch or column