I have some slop in the steering column. This is even before it gets to the power steering.

I've grabbed a 2002 steering column/wheel. Hopefully it has a good clockspring too as mine is broke. My jeep is a 2000 Grand Cherokee.

My question is with the Lock Cylinder and Sentry Key/Programmed Keys. If I swap in the new steering column and take the old Lock Cylinder from my original column.... and place it in the new one, will my old key then work to actually start the jeep up?

And then the next question, will there be any programming I have to do? Or if I bring over the 'Sentry Key Immobilizer Module' from the old steering column as well, will my original key actually allow it to start? I would rather keep my old key so I have one for both the doors and starting it.

Then if I just left the steering column i'm putting in AS IS, will the key I grabbed with it from the junk yard work starting it (and allow it to run since it is programmed to that column)? I'm just not sure if it is the computer that remembers the key programmed to it or if it is the Sentry Module on the steering column itself.

If anyone knows, please let me know. I'm waiting to do this project until I know what I need to do prior to installing it.

 

And you are sure it is the column that has play? Go into the engine bay, and look at the column whole someone wiggles the steering wheel.

If the column is turning, but the steering gear box has play, you can narrow down the issue.
If the steering box does NOT have play (input shaft is wobbly itself), then it's safe to say the column or Ujoints in the column are bad.

I unfortunately have never swapped one of those out, but on my 98 I initially thought it was the steering shaft, but after some diagnosis I was able to determine that it is actually the gearbox that has play

 

I did swap. The Clock Spring plugs (which the entire thing was bad in my original column) doesn't match up exactly. One plug fits, the other doesn't. The one that doesn't ... the 2002 column has a plug with about 5 prongs. The 2000 wire has only two. But everything else fit.

I simply swapped the lock cylinder and then the SKIM from my original column into the 2002. Then installed it. I was able to use my original key and it started/ran just fine. My steering is noticeably better now. I still have a small amount but as soon as I turn the wheel, it is tight and hitting the steering gears. So i'm on to the next item in the path but it is easier to drive by far.

Hopefully I can just order 2000 clock spring with the proper plugs for a 2000 and just swap it out of this column. They look the same other then the plug.