my key is stuck in the ignition, i bought my XJ from my big brother, and he got the problem out of nowhere. Any fixes? its not like jammed, it just won't move to the "Lock" position to pull it out. Thanks for all the help guys this one has been puzzling me since i bought it back in June.
EDIT: also its an automatic and i have tried some basic things like jiggling the shifter while its in park and in neutral to no avail

 

try pushing the button on the steering col and turning the key at the same time

 

already tried that, can i just go to the junk yard and get a new cylinder with the key, use it to start it and take the other key out of the cylinder to lock and unlock the doors.

i've tried pretty much everything and i can't get my center console out so i can get to linkage cables and such under the panel by the gear shifter. I feel pretty stumped right now

 

did you try turning the steering wheel to a different position and seeing if it will come out

 

i've turned it all the way around, and still nothing.

 

does the steering wheel lock when you turn it back

 

I had the same key stuck in the ignition lock when I bought my 87 XJ. Everything worked great just could not remove the key.
Found a thread on this forum regarding changing ignition lock:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...n+lock+removal

I purchased a new ignition lock cylinder from Morris 4x4, and installed the ignition lock cylinder.
When I removed the stuck ign. lock cylinder I was able to remove the key with ease.
You might be able to just take out the ign. lock cylinder and remove the key, but then it may get stuck again if you try to continue to use the same one.

To be safe I would just purchase and install a new one, and use the old key for the doors only.

 

no it doesn't lock at all

 

thank you very very much!!!!

 

i would remove the steering wheel and go from there it could be a number of thing shifter not going into park ignition switch on bottom of coloum stuck linkage from switch to key cylinder or key cylinder it self hard to pin point with out being there you have a repair manual

 

I realize you have it fixed but, maybe this will help the next guy. I had the same problem and my lock and key guy took the handle of a hammer and tapped the key toward column a few times and works like new. He said that this is a common issue and mine has been fine since.

 

X2 My '88 had the same thing happen last year, I shot a little silicon into the the stuck key and tapped it lightly with wrench. It worked and every few months spray a little silicon into the key way. No problems since!

 

make sure the shifter is pushed all the way up you mite want to check the cable that "tells" your ignition that its in park