Well...

Tried again.

Connected the wires, flipped the switch, and started cursing all over the place as smoke came pouring out of the center of the steering wheel.

I give up.

Putting a new column in since I tried to light this one on fire anyway. Thanks for trying to help but apparently I just fail at electrical stuff.

 

wow... sounds like a pretty bad fail. what year is your xj? the years have diff colors remember. once you get a new column PM me and ill give ya my cell and ill talk you through the simple push button start over the phone.