Have a 1994 cherokee sport. My key will come in and out but will not turn to start the jeep. I have taking the column apart and replaced the lock cylinder and I am still in the same boat. The new cylinder still doesn't turn. I went to the bottom of the steering column to the ignition switch and I can push the rod into the switch by hand and the lights and all will come on but I still can't turn the key. Anyone have any ideas what else could be the problem

 

wrong key or worn out?

 

Can you manually turn the ignition switch ( with the lock cylinder out). I know you said you can push the rod, but the actual switch could be jammed up.

Can you turn that part by hand? If not you probably need a new ignition switch.



Scratch that - it looks like the ignition switch is completely different between 94 and 95..

 

He mentioned a new lock cylinder, so I'm assuming the cylinder itself is functioning correctly since it's unlikely the orig and the new both are completely frozen up/worn out.

 

The new cylinder turns with the keys that came with it, right? In other words, if you hold the cylinder in your hand and insert the key, it turns through each setting, right?

 

Automatic ? Possible gear selector issue. Preventing key from turning to start.

 

When outside the column both tumblers will turn with the key. The new one and the old one? I'm thinking the is in the actuator behind the key lock tumbler but I'm not real sure

 

So you can push ignition switch down and it start with rod from key switch disconnected ?

 

Coloumn

 

If I go to the bottom the column to the actual ignition switch I can move the rod going into the switch in and out and when I push it in the headlights and stuff light up. If I hold the rod into the ignition switch I still can't turn the key. With the new lock tumbler or the old one unless I take out the column then I can turn both.

 

Stick your key in and tap it inward with a mallet. A peice gets jammed in there. Worked for me. There's a threaf on this someehere

 

I seen that thread and tried that but it didn't work

 

With the cylinder out of the column can you move the steering lock pin or is it jammed up?

 

If the lock switch is out the column then they will turn how supposed to just not if it's in the column

 

Lets back up and start from the beginning, what happened to cause you to replace the lock cylinder?