Gotta love these XJ's! Mine stranded me at ace hardware foe about 3 hrs. Yesterday. I went there to get a couple keys cut for her and when I was done no key would work including the original... Luckily there was an O'rileys across the street so I went and bought a new tumbler called a friend who had a steering wheel puller to come give me a hand! Neither of us had ever pulled a steering wheel on a jeep before matter of fact the last time I pulled one was in 1984 on a 67 Firebird. YouTube was only marginally helpful, most of it was pretty straight forward and for 2 semi knowledgable guys it took 3 hours and in the end since the new tumbler came with 2 keys I did get a spare.... I don't recommend this method of getting a spare key!

Oh! There is a video on YouTube of a guy who is having the same problem I had and he hit the key with a mallet which in his video does work! I'm not sure what year jeep he has but I DO NOT recommend this on an 89!!!!

 

Haha yea there are some questionable "repairs" on youtube sometimes. I have found it to be really helpful at times but certainly think about it before you do exactly what they are telling you too.

 

was the key not turning?
if not, did you try moving the steering wheel and turning the key?

 

I could put the key in but it wouldn't turn! Then I tried wiggling the steering wheel and the key for over an hour before I decided to change the tumbler.

 

I think I would blame this on Ace Hardware.

 

Oh I am!