98-up XJ push button start exact
#1
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Year: 98
Model: Cherokee
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98-up XJ push button start exact
So I was searching and found a lot of scattered info on this topic, mostly for older xj's and when I did mine the info did not match what I have. Sadly I don't have any pictures but I can tell you exactly what wires you need.
You will need:
A single pole single throw switch. I used one from radio shack rated at 50a 12v
A push button starter from advance/autozone wherever
About 7 ring terminals
About 5 male spade terminals
First you are going to want to Remove the radio/hvac bezel by prying gently from the top to release the tabs, then pulling from the far corners at the bottom. You may have to put the gear selector in low 1 to completely remove. Remove the electrical connectors. Next remove the lower panel below the steering wheel. There should be 3 Phillips screws at the bottom of the panel. Then pop out the tabs at the top. Then depending on where you want to mount your switch, I removed the upper dash bezel which was about 4 screws around the radio area, and pop out the tabs that run along the top where it meets the dash.
Now that you have this removed, you can work on the coulumn cover. There are three Philips screws you have to remove from the bottom. There may be four but mine only had three. Once you get them removed pull the lower column cover out. You now have access to the ignition cylinder plug.
On to the wiring
I used male spade terminals so I did not have to cut any wires in the factory plug.
One spade terminal plugged into the big red wire on cylinder plug to #1 side of your SPST switch ring terminal
One spade terminal plugged into the big yellow wire on cylinder plug to #1 side of you starter push button ring terminal
One spade terminal from black wire/white stripe on cylinder plug to #2 side of SPST switch ring terminal
One spade terminal from black wire/orange stripe on cylinder plug to #2 side of SPST switchr ring terminal
One spade terminal from big blue wire on cylinder plug to #2 side of SPST switch ring terminal
One ring terminal from #2 side of SPST switch to the #2 side of the starter push button
Now this will work without a key. You can put your key in every time to unlock the steering wheel, you can also remove the steering wheel and remove the lock plate. I simply turned the key to the on position, then used a flat head screwdriver to pop the key out of the ignition.
Have any questions let me know
You will need:
A single pole single throw switch. I used one from radio shack rated at 50a 12v
A push button starter from advance/autozone wherever
About 7 ring terminals
About 5 male spade terminals
First you are going to want to Remove the radio/hvac bezel by prying gently from the top to release the tabs, then pulling from the far corners at the bottom. You may have to put the gear selector in low 1 to completely remove. Remove the electrical connectors. Next remove the lower panel below the steering wheel. There should be 3 Phillips screws at the bottom of the panel. Then pop out the tabs at the top. Then depending on where you want to mount your switch, I removed the upper dash bezel which was about 4 screws around the radio area, and pop out the tabs that run along the top where it meets the dash.
Now that you have this removed, you can work on the coulumn cover. There are three Philips screws you have to remove from the bottom. There may be four but mine only had three. Once you get them removed pull the lower column cover out. You now have access to the ignition cylinder plug.
On to the wiring
I used male spade terminals so I did not have to cut any wires in the factory plug.
One spade terminal plugged into the big red wire on cylinder plug to #1 side of your SPST switch ring terminal
One spade terminal plugged into the big yellow wire on cylinder plug to #1 side of you starter push button ring terminal
One spade terminal from black wire/white stripe on cylinder plug to #2 side of SPST switch ring terminal
One spade terminal from black wire/orange stripe on cylinder plug to #2 side of SPST switchr ring terminal
One spade terminal from big blue wire on cylinder plug to #2 side of SPST switch ring terminal
One ring terminal from #2 side of SPST switch to the #2 side of the starter push button
Now this will work without a key. You can put your key in every time to unlock the steering wheel, you can also remove the steering wheel and remove the lock plate. I simply turned the key to the on position, then used a flat head screwdriver to pop the key out of the ignition.
Have any questions let me know
#3
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Year: 98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well people would do this for a number of reasons. Personally, I drive a work truck all the time and we normally leave the keys in the ignition. This has led to multiple times of me locking the keys inside of my cherokee. Also, if your lock cylinder is broke, if your key broke off in the cylinder, if you're lazy and want a different way to start your vehicle, etc. it's been done plenty of times before, I just did a write up telling the EXACT connections that need to be made. Mine is hidden and I think it's pretty cool actually. Oh and I have also forgotten my keys in the house numerous times and now I can still drive off without going back inside.
#4
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
I know is your business what you do with your Jeep. Just wanted to see why you did it.
You can take care of all your scenarios if you carry a spare key in your wallet.
I am a slow learner,please explain to me how installing a push button start solves the problem of lock keys inside the vehicle.
You can take care of all your scenarios if you carry a spare key in your wallet.
I am a slow learner,please explain to me how installing a push button start solves the problem of lock keys inside the vehicle.
Last edited by prcherokee; 01-05-2014 at 06:36 PM.
#6
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Year: 98
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I know is your business what you do with your Jeep. Just wanted to see why you did it.
You can take care of all your scenarios if you carry a spare key in your wallet.
I am a slow learner,please explain to me how installing a push button start solves the problem of lock keys inside the vehicle.
You can take care of all your scenarios if you carry a spare key in your wallet.
I am a slow learner,please explain to me how installing a push button start solves the problem of lock keys inside the vehicle.
#7
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Year: 98
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Also if I ever wanted to, I could unplug all the spade terminals and reconnect the plug to the lock cylinder. Then it would work as OEM
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#8
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Year: 98
Model: Cherokee
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I know is your business what you do with your Jeep. Just wanted to see why you did it.
You can take care of all your scenarios if you carry a spare key in your wallet.
I am a slow learner,please explain to me how installing a push button start solves the problem of lock keys inside the vehicle.
You can take care of all your scenarios if you carry a spare key in your wallet.
I am a slow learner,please explain to me how installing a push button start solves the problem of lock keys inside the vehicle.
#10
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
If the lock cylinder is broken open the passenger door.
Last edited by prcherokee; 01-05-2014 at 07:06 PM.
#11
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Year: 98
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Not going to argue with you. This is a good mod for a trail rig, or someone who doesn't care to keep their vehicle as factory as possible. Obviously you do. Thanks for your input.
#12
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Year: 98
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Hey, also how are you going to hate on my thread when you just posted a diagram on a push button start thread here recently?
#13
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
nah its cool if you want your heep to be stolen. i have a push button i used when my ignition switch malfunctioned. i ran two wires to the starter... fixed the factory ignition as soon as possible.. my setup still needed a key. and was alot eaisier to explain.
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Last edited by Jake.; 01-05-2014 at 08:31 PM.