Chance Wilson

Thanks in advance to anybody that can help!

So I bought this 92 XJ Sport a couple days ago and it's already stranded in my driveway

The drivers door lock switch above the handle is clearly broken/disconnected from the rod or spring or...

Was going to fix it when it wasn't 5 degrees out. I figured I could get in through the passenger door for a week.

Now I think the battery kill switch is not letting me start the jeep because of an anti theft feature maybe? When you open the passenger door, the light on the kill switch goes off. Also there is no power when you turn the key. I think unlocking the drivers door will solve this but I have no idea how to get the door unlocked with it closed. Can you even take off the inner door panel off with the door closed?

Jeep in question:


Edit to add: Sorry if the image is too large, I'll learn how to resize asap

Chance Wilson

Maybe I'm way off and it's actually just a bad ground? I also didn't have any power to the radio, hvac lights, shifter light, before this happened. Was going to check all the fuses but haven't done it yet and it's really much easier to look at the interior fuses with the drivers door open!

Edit to add: I also am going to use some contact cleaner and wire brush to clean up all the grounds and connectors but again, would like to drive it into the garage to get over 20° LOL

Turbo X_J

Post up a wiring diagram of the "kill switch", you can't unlock & open D side door from the inside?

Chance Wilson

This part is completely disconnected from the spring or rod that it should be connected too, it just wobbles back and forth freely. The key worked fine from the outside until today.



I can't easily look under the hood until I can move the jeep.

Turbo X_J

Unscrew that bezel & see whatz up wit that masking tape.

Chance Wilson

Not masking tape, just where the fake chrome paint has come off. Where's the lock rod? Looks like the door panel definitely has to come off.

Turbo X_J

Remove that screw in the center of the handle and see if the latch pulls free.
If necessary you can pull the panel with the door closed, not easy but doable.

Chance Wilson

Going to stop at harbor freight before they close tonight. http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece...set-67021.html

RRXJeeper71

try your local salvage yard
I always found what I needed

Chance Wilson

I took the armrest off but didn't get any of the door panel clips loose. I will try again in the morning.

Chance Wilson

I went back out to try some more because I really need to get this going asap. While trying to get ahold of the lock rod, the door handle rod wriggled free.




I now can put pliers on the lock rod and push it forward or back. It sounds like it's locking and unlocking but I still can't open it.

Chance Wilson

Alright, who wants the jeep when my wife kills me later today? I called a local locksmith and explained it to him and he basically said I was SOL.

Jeepin'_Aint_EZ

So, from my understanding, you can push the lock rod forward and backwards which locks/unlocks but you no longer have the rod for the inside door handle attached. I know it's silly but I have to ask, when you unlock the door from the inside with the rod, Have you tried opening it from the outside? You may have to put some *** behind it to and yank that SOB hard. The older xj's are known for having problems with the door hinges sagging/breaking which beats the living hell out of the striker and latch. When they get really bad, it'll jam and you'll have a heck of a hard time opening that door again.

Chance Wilson

Yes, that's correct.

Yes, I've tried several times but I will go try again harder. Maybe I should have my wife try to open from the outside while I kick it from the inside?

Turbo X_J

or, remove the seat then remove the trim panel. The door latch & bezel, arm rest and window crank are already off right?
Better still if it's **** cold outside just do your best to get the panel off (forget the tools just get your fingers behind it and pull that ****er off) then you can unlock/open the door.
representative video: