Ignition Switch problem?

Steve777 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:31 pm **Posts:** 284

So I am looking for some thoughts about what might be going on here:

My wife drove one of our CRDs to the school and parked it, all was fine. When she went back to start it again, she must have hit panic or something cause the alarm went off, she kept hitting remote buttons until it stopped. But then the car would not start. Key goes in, turns on and the lites do their thing, but when you try to turn it to start it doesn't quite go far enough and the starter doesn't come on. She walked back and got me. This is what I've tried:

Tried our second key, same thing doesn't want to go all the way to start. I tried remote start (which this CRD has), it worked once, engine started and ran for a few secs but then died. When I try the remote start again it beeps the horn with the button but does not go thru the start sequence anymore. But at least for that first remote start, the starter worked and the engine ran just fine for a few secs.

So I am wondering what's up here. My first thought is the ignition switch, either the switch itself or perhaps the linkage to the switch is broken and not moving all the way. Not sure why the remote start isn't working after that first try. I suppose both keys might have lost their RFID key programming, but that seems unlikely, and even if they did, the engine should start then die after a couple of secs when the RFID isn't recognized.

When I compare the "feel" of this not-starting ignition switch to the one that starts, they seem the same up thru the run position. But the non-starting one only turns about 1/2 as far towards start as the working one which does start.

Any of this sound familiar to folks here? What do folks think? And any way to get this jeep started so I can drive it home without a tow?

TIA

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Sep 17, 2021 9:37 pm

This is probably what you need, they are known for going bad (breaking).
You can search LOST for instructions on how to replace it. I believe it is quite easy to replace.
Ignition Switch Actuator Pin 924-704

Autozone:
Ignition Actuator; #295435 924-
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-star ... 295435_0_0

Steve777 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:31 pm **Posts:** 284

Thanks WW.

Yeah, have been searching youtube vids, and pretty much came to the same conclusion. Probably this intermediate part and possibly also the electric switch unit itself.

Only question is if I took the cowling off the steering column, and took the switch unit off (which looks like it is just on security torx screw) could I then start the jeep and drive it home. I think that would work (as long as it isn't the switch which is broken too). Seems like it would be worth a try to avoid a tow.

Any thought on whether its worth going with genuine jeep parts on this, or are the aftermarket ones OK?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Sep 18, 2021 2:53 am

Steve777 wrote:

Thanks WW.
Yeah, have been searching youtube vids, and pretty much came to the same conclusion. Probably this intermediate part and possibly also the electric switch unit itself.
Only question is if I took the cowling off the steering column, and took the switch unit off (which looks like it is just on security torx screw) could I then start the jeep and drive it home. I think that would work (as long as it isn't the switch which is broken too). Seems like it would be worth a try to avoid a tow.
Any thought on whether its worth going with genuine jeep parts on this, or are the aftermarket ones OK?

I believe some have posted removing the cover and manually operating the switch to start the engine.
Of course if you can get the ign switch to turn to the "ON/run" position, you could pull the starter relay in the power distribution panel under the hood and jump the starter and make it start. See drawing.
I would just go aftermarket like the AutoZone part.

Steve777 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:31 pm **Posts:** 284

Thanks again WW. And you are absolutely right, jumping it from the starter relay was way easier than taking apart the steering column on the side of the road to get to the ignition switch (although would have done that if needed).

Did your relay trick this morning, took a minute to get it running and drove home.

That was the easy part, now to dig into the real problem...

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Sep 18, 2021 3:54 pm

Steve777 wrote:

Thanks again WW. And you are absolutely right, jumping it from the starter relay was way easier than taking apart the steering column on the side of the road to get to the ignition switch (although would have done that if needed).
Did your relay trick this morning, took a minute to get it running and drove home. :BANANA:

That was the easy part, now to dig into the real problem...

Watch these, a few good videos that will guide you through replacing the ign switch actuator:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwbEmSC ... oRepairLLC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5mo3OA ... botchicken

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpjnAS_ ... ISBUILDSvw

Steve777 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:31 pm **Posts:** 284

Forgot to update the conclusion here. Got a part off Ebay and put it in, working fine now.

FWIW, the part I got (roughly $10 on ebay) works, but the key is a bit stiff going in the final 1/8" or so. I'm hoping this will wear in. But a word of caution, may be worth getting a slightly higher quality clone of the part for smooth operation.

SJBrooks · **Joined:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:01 am **Posts:** 88

This is the closest post to the problem I’m having with my ‘06, so thought I’d tap into it…

Today, when I turned the key to start the Jeep, it rotated (what I would call) fully forward or clockwise without the normal feel of the different stages or detents. The starter didn’t engage and the key can be twisted back counter-clockwise and removed, but vehicle power remains on (gauges are on/activated). I’ve simply removed the negative battery cable for now.

What part(s) would seem to be the likely culprit? Ignition switch only, or the part with the engagement pin too? Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Steve

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2026 9:47 pm

The problem is most likely the actuator rod for the ignition switch. They are notorious for failing.
Autozone: Ignition Actuator; #295435 924-704 DORMAN
Dorman Ignition Switch Actuator Pin 924-704

Watch this very good YouTube video by Eric O where he walks you through every step of replacing the defective part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwbEmSCX8kM&t=1002s

There are many other videos on Youtube if you do a search. :wink:

SJBrooks · **Joined:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:01 am **Posts:** 88

Many thanks, WW, you’ve always been quick to respond! Will advise back with what I found…

Steve

SJBrooks · **Joined:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:01 am **Posts:** 88

Back again about this…

The subject vehicle is still in a town about 20 miles from my home, and I’ll be tackling this issue today. From the posts above, it appears the switch on the left side of the column is stuck in the “on” position, so that could make it a candidate for jumping the relay connectors as shown above and driving it home. That said, other than chocking off air to the turbo, is there another way to turn our CRDs off?

Steve

SJBrooks · **Joined:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:01 am **Posts:** 88

Started it via WW’s jumper wire method, drove it home with no problems, and turned it off by pulling the ASD relay. Now to begin pulling the steering column covers off and finding the problem. More to come…

Steve

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2026 1:25 pm

SJBrooks wrote:

Back again about this…
The subject vehicle is still in a town about 20 miles from my home, and I’ll be tackling this issue today. From the posts above, it appears the switch on the left side of the column is stuck in the “on” position, so that could make it a candidate for jumping the relay connectors as shown above and driving it home. That said, other than chocking off air to the turbo, is there another way to turn our CRDs off?
Steve

SJBrooks wrote:

Started it via WW’s jumper wire method, drove it home with no problems, and turned it off by pulling the ASD relay. Now to begin pulling the steering column covers off and finding the problem. More to come…
Steve

That's Great! :BANANA:

This may help others in that situation:

If the electrical ign. switch is in the ON/RUN position, you can pull the starter relay out in the TIPM (Power Distribution Center) under the hood, and jumper two pins 9 & 10 to crank the engine over and start it. See drawing.

As to shutting a running engine down, real simple, pull the No. 39 ASD relay out in the TIPM and the engine will shut down. See diagram below.
Then remove the negative battery cable off the battery to kill all power.

SJBrooks · **Joined:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:01 am **Posts:** 88

As with many other CRD owners, for me this forum has been indispensable in keeping what I call “my little tractor” running for the last 20 years. I’m sure it’ll still be going strong 20 years from now; maybe not so much for myself…

Steve

SJBrooks · **Joined:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:01 am **Posts:** 88

As with others above, the problem for my little tractor was the actuator assembly (the metal “tips” were broken off). I can’t complain, because it did last for 20 years and thousands of starts. After reading the info here and watching a couple of YouTube videos, it took me about 30 minutes to fix it. I’ll keep a spare in the back from now on…

Thanks to all for the pointers!

Steve

Ignition Switch problem?

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