I was installing a stereo in my 96 Cherokee the other day......while running the wires around the steering column I felt something hot.....switch was off. I initially thought it was a flasher but unplugged it and flashers work......its been unhooked since Saturday and everything seems to work but curious what it is. It was located under the dash near the column

 

What was it plugged into? Follow the wires.

 

That's the thermal relay (or something along those lines) for the keyring (that lights up) around the ignition.

Without that, that keyring will no longer light up.

It's suppose to be hot/warm.

 

Thank you very much!! Had me concerned

 

I'm more concerned that you were fooling around with electrical stuff with the battery still hooked up.