Stuck Ignition Switch

[Jeepin' Rob]

When my son returned home last night with my '90 XJ (auto trans) the ignition switch was stuck in the 'ON' position with very limited movement as you try & rotate the key. After repeated tries to free it the only thing we managed to accomplish was to remove (break?) the crome ring that is on the inginition switch. Any ideas on how to free this? Is a new ignition switch the answer? If so any hints on how to replace the ignition switch.

Thanks

(2 weeks to Jeep Jamboree!!)

Rob

 

[rattler43]

Rob: Sounds like a defunct key cylinder to me. The actual switch is seperate and located on the top of steering column. It is connected to the key cylinder with a rod. To replace the cylinder you have to pull the steering wheel. You would need a steering wheel puller and a lockplate compressor to do the job. A Chilton manual will show and tell how to do this. If you have an air bag on the steering wheel "probably not", I would farm out the job, as it is very dangerous. If you don't have any of the tools to do the job, I would farm it out also, as the cost would probably be similar if you have to buy them. HTH Don

 

[Ralph]

Rob: Sounds like a defunct key cylinder to me. The actual switch is seperate and located on the top of steering column. It is connected to the key cylinder with a rod. To replace the cylinder you have to pull the steering wheel. You would need a steering wheel puller and a lockplate compressor to do the job. A Chilton manual will show and tell how to do this. If you have an air bag on the steering wheel "probably not", I would farm out the job, as it is very dangerous. If you don't have any of the tools to do the job, I would farm it out also, as the cost would probably be similar if you have to buy them. HTH Don

90 models don't have air bags. Working on a steering column with an air bag is not a problem, simply disconnect the battery before working on the column. The tools are not expensive and are good to have. Not a difficult job. Go for it.

 

[Jeepin' Rob]

Thanks for the responses, a new key cylinder will be in next week.


Rob