Here's the rundown:

I got my lovely 1996 Cherokee back in June of 2014. I fixed a bunch of stuff on it, and boy do I love this car. Problem is, once it started getting cold, it was REALLY hard to turn the key to the off position to take it out. Tonight I stopped to get some gas and when I tried turning the key to take it out, the thing just wouldn't go. I mustered up all the strength I had and got it to turn. I partially cracked the plastic you use to turn the key. I came back out after re-fueling and put the key in. It didn't glide right in, but with a slight wiggle or two it fully seated in the tumbler. I started it up as normal, and drove home. Now when I got home, I tried to turn it back again, this time, the damn tumbler came out. I tried everything but it won't stay in the ignition switch. I can push it in, start it, and drive, but at any point I can easily slide the whole tumbler and key out as one. I looked in there and I swear it looked like a piece the back of where the tumbler slides in is cracked. Here are some pictures. The first one shows the whole ignition assembly, the second one shows the piece I cracked, third one shows the key and tumbler which I can take out anytime, and the last one is inside where the tumbler goes. On that last picture, you can see the "crack" that I saw at the bottom in the back of the assembly.

Bottom line: What are my options?

 

Should have used a little lock ease before you went Gonzo on the whole thing.

 

Maybe you can get lucky and find one at the salvage yard that still has a key,thats what I would do anyways.

 

WUT? You can buy a whole new lock cylinder that included a pair of keys for ~$65 bucks at your local auto parts store OR off amazon for ~$18

 

I was at a gas station at the time I think I broke it.

 

I'd rather buy a whole new assembly since it would just happen again.

 

By lock cylinder you mean the part that came out with my key? Cause it almost looks like I need a whole new assembly.

 

Yes it includes the part in your hand + the part that it's supposed to be locked into.

When you buy a new lock cylinder it's not just the part you have in your hand.

http://www.am-autoimages.com/partima...77129/main.JPG

Look at that link for the whole unit.

 

I would still try to find one out of a salvage yard,the after market stuff just never seems to hold up as good as the original stuff does but I could be wrong in this case.
I went threw 3 aftermarket key units for a old corsica I had years ago and they all broke within a year but I got my hands on a original one from a salvage yard and it worked for the next 4 years I had the car.

 

I must have good luck with off the shelf aftermarket parts. I have never had an issue with an aftermarket ignition lock cylinder.

 

Oh nice! How easy would you say it is to replace? So far I've personally done:

- Headunit wiring
- Brakes all around
- Neutral safety switch
- Rear shocks (fronts to come)
- Sound system (Aftermarket speakers, sub, etc)
- Misc wiring/fuse problems
- Burnt/melted headlamp switch (pain in my a*s to rewire)

And I've gotten the following done to it:
- Rebuilt engine
- Alignment
- Windshield

I'm probably missing a bunch, but you get the point.

 

Throughout my searches, it seems Chrysler isn't too renowned for their ignitions :S. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the yard with a passion. When it comes to this though, I think it's something I'd rather just buy a new quality one and call it even

 

I haven't replaced that style myself but I'm sure a google search will reveal the details. It's used in TONS of Chrysler products.