NEED HELP ASAP: No ignition key for 88 Jeep cherokee will be towed tommorrow...

[Tim88XJ]

Well me and a buddy a owners of an 88 Jeep cherokee. The other night one of his friends broke the ignition key off in the rear hatch. None of them are very mechanically inclined, otherwise I would just have them remove the lock cylinder and put in a new one. I am 2 hours away and couldn't get back till either later this week or next weekend. To make matters worse it is in a parking lot at NC State and will be towed shortly after tommorrow morning.

Is there any chance that a dealer would be able to cut a key by the vin number? Any idea how much a locksmith would charge to go on site and cut a key? Anyone have any suggestions or reccomendations?

Let me know ASAP

-Tim

 

[St3mpy]

It cost me 100 bucks to have a key made for a 70 VW Beetle. This was made at the spot though, as in using probes and stuff. Call the dealer about getting the key code from the VIN number.

 

[langer1]

Well me and a buddy a owners of an 88 Jeep cherokee. The other night one of his friends broke the ignition key off in the rear hatch. None of them are very mechanically inclined, otherwise I would just have them remove the lock cylinder and put in a new one. I am 2 hours away and couldn't get back till either later this week or next weekend. To make matters worse it is in a parking lot at NC State and will be towed shortly after tommorrow morning.

Is there any chance that a dealer would be able to cut a key by the vin number? Any idea how much a locksmith would charge to go on site and cut a key? Anyone have any suggestions or reccomendations?

Let me know ASAP

-Tim

I doubt a Dealer could for a 88. A lock smith would be your best bet. $35.00 or so.

 

[Tim88XJ]

Aparently there is a "j" stamped on the factory key...

does that help anything?

 

[Al S]

Check the Yellow Pages for a locksmith that does automotive work. They can just exchange the complete cylinder in the steering column for another one with keys. It is a GM steering column, nothing complicated, plenty of key cylinders available. This is what I had done after snapping off a key in my 1988 S-10 years ago.

 

[langer1]

I think I read somewere theres only 6 different keys anyway. If you got friends with older XJ's theres a real good chance one of there keys will work.

 

[Ecarlcl]

If you take the column apart, you can take the ignition tumbler out of it without needing the key, then I think you can just start it with a screwdriver....I'm not able to walk you through the process of getting that deep into the column because its been awhile since ive been in mine. But it is relatively simple. When you get past the turn signal switch, the tumbler is help in place by one screw.

ecarlcl

 

[kevin s]

Dealer cut one for me off the VIN number, over the phone. That was for a '92. Give 'em a call.

 

[langer1]

Dealer cut one for me off the VIN number, over the phone. That was for a '92. Give 'em a call.

Yep theres been lots of car's stolen that way. Their suppose to look at the title before cutting keys.

 

[kevin s]

Yep theres been lots of car's stolen that way. Their suppose to look at the title before cutting keys.

Heh, heh. Never thought of that. In my case, they know me. I keep the part counter guys busy. They actually had my VIN on file.

 

[Eagle]

Call a locksmith. I'm going to guess that $35 is a bit on the low side, but having a key made or an entire new cylinder installed is going to be cheaper than a tow and storage -- and you'll have to have it done eventually anyway.

 

[Dingo509]

if you can get into cab you can just unplug the ign switch, then plug in a new (or used from a wrecking yard) switch so you will have 2 switches the old one on the column (not in use) and the new switch which is now hanging from the wiring harness, you can move the new switch with a screwdriver. that will start the XJ but then you have to deal with the steering lock, I've heard that a good kick will break it but i've never tried it.

Good luck

Dingo

 

[Midnight Krawler]

If, you have both of the broken key parts a locksmith can make a key from that. If the broken key is stuck in the lock, a locksmith can remove it to make a new key. If you were in my area i would help you. I've been a locksmith for 15 years.