Argh! Ignition problem, need help/advice, please.

cwood30 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:38 am

So I posted up a while back about an ignition problem I was having where I would try to start the car, and it wouldn't keep an idle. It would turn over, and I could get it to start with a bit of gas, but as soon as I let the gas go it would die again. Rinse and repeat, eventually it would hold an idle. I replaced the battery, as recommended on here, and that helped but didn't stop it entirely. Then the problem just went away for about 3 months, and I've been having it intermittenly for about a month again. Then, I come home yesterday, turn my key to off, pull it out of the ignition. Only one problem... the KJ was still running!

I start messing with the key, turning it, putting different pressure on it, playing with the shifter, etc., to no avail. Eventually I had to pull the battery cables, it was still running on alternator power, so I had to pull the fuel pump fuse. Now, if I put the battery cables back on, the KJ electronics will still come on, regardless of key position.

So my only guess is that the lock cylinder is broken, and broken in the "On" position, which is why I couldn't get the Jeep to turn off and the electronics come on whenever there is power. Also, the key feels very loose when it is inserted, no resistance at all, it just turns back and forth freely. Can anyone point me in some kind of direction? I'm pretty handy, so I think I can fix this, and I can't really afford to have it replaced (not powertrain=not covered anymore) with my wedding in 2 weeks. I'm thinking the first step would be to replace the lock cylinder, which I have no clue how to do, nor figure out how to make our old keys work with it, and I couldn't find information from a search on here. Thanks ladies and gents for any help you can provide.

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:44 pm

Not sure how to change the cylinder,but a bit of advice to anyone with a heavy keychain.
This is the death of any ignition switch!!!Lighten up by putting your key on its own clip.
Save those ignition switches...They're not cheap

CM · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:33 am

I've never taken a KJ colum apart, but most ignition switchs are not actully where you put the key in. Usually the key part pushes a rod that runs down the colum alittle ways and thats where the actual electricle switch is. I've seen those rods pop out of the switch on some other vehicles in the past. For what it's worth. good luck!!

cwood30 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:53 am

Thanks for the help guys. Turns out the rod that connects the cylinder to the switch broke right where it goes into the switch. Tried JB Weld and superglue to no avail, the little part just keeps snapping, and I can't order the rod without ordering an entirely new steering column. Going to beg and plead with some junkyards and see if I can't just pick off the part somewhere. I have no clue where else to find the little guy, and it's too small to just be fixed! Frustrating, but at least I know what the problem is...

jay21 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:25 pm

Contact a local machinst, or fab shop. they can help you out

CM · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:42 pm

Glad I could help! Is the whole thing metal or is part of it plastic? Might be able to weld or braze it back together. Theres more pressure on that rod than most people relize, the return spring from start to run is usally pretty stiff.

Argh! Ignition problem, need help/advice, please.

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