dbkirkp Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Changed my lock cylinder on my '88 ignition and now the key won't release. I removed it and re-installed it several times and I can't get it to release. The mechanism it turns is stuck and won't turn back enough to let the lock cylinder disengage the key. Am I missing something? I have re-installed the steering wheel, started it and turned it back and forth and the key still won't release. The original lock cylinder (That doesn't need a key to turn) has the same issue where it won't turn back to the lock position. I am trying to see if there is some mechanism that will lock the key that I have overlooked. It is a stick, but I think a previous owner might have switched it from an automatic. would there be some sort of mechanism that prevents you from removing the key that I am overlooking? Did the steering column just get stuck? Any help would be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMC86Kid Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 when my key was stock in the ignition i had to make sure the vehicle had power from a battery and make sure it was in park other then that I'm not to sure what else could be the problem but here's a link that might help you http://comancheclub.com/topic/18991-ignition-lock-removal/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbkirkp Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 AMC86Kid, that actually helped. On mine the rod that controls the steering wheel lock etc. is stuck. It doesn't stick out with the wheel steering wheel off and without it moving back to where it sticks out with the wheel off, the key won't release from the cylinder because it is not in the right position. I haven't seen any other write ups that talk about that rod. I will try to get to it from underneath the dash and see if I can figure out why it is sticking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMC86Kid Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 good for you bro your welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 I am trying to see if there is some mechanism that will lock the key that I have overlooked. It is a stick, but I think a previous owner might have switched it from an automatic. would there be some sort of mechanism that prevents you from removing the key that I am overlooking? Did the steering column just get stuck? Any help would be much appreciated. There is a mechanism. The column for a manual tranny has a release lever to allow the cylinder to turn to the final OFF/REMOVE position. For the automatics, this was done with a cable from the shifter. This is the same mechanism that locks the steering wheel -- does your wheel lock? If your truck is a manual, and you don't have the release lever, it probably is a column from an automatic, and whoever installed it didn't bother to create a way to release the key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbkirkp Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 I am trying to see if there is some mechanism that will lock the key that I have overlooked. It is a stick, but I think a previous owner might have switched it from an automatic. would there be some sort of mechanism that prevents you from removing the key that I am overlooking? Did the steering column just get stuck? Any help would be much appreciated. There is a mechanism. The column for a manual tranny has a release lever to allow the cylinder to turn to the final OFF/REMOVE position. For the automatics, this was done with a cable from the shifter. This is the same mechanism that locks the steering wheel -- does your wheel lock? If your truck is a manual, and you don't have the release lever, it probably is a column from an automatic, and whoever installed it didn't bother to create a way to release the key. Thanks, I don't think the wheel locked. I will try to find a way to work this out. Previously the cylinder returned all the way and I could remove the key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbkirkp Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 Man! I wasn't sure if it was an original 5 speed or not, and it was. It is just the center console mount is loose and looks like it was messed with. I bought it from a kid that bought it from a guy that worked on it. What isn't original is the 4wd (I think). I know they put a chrysler 8.25 on it, but I just looked up the VIN in a decoder (Not always accurate) and I found that it was a 2wd and ... that it was originally a big ton? Does that mean that the previous owner pulled out the d44 for the 8.25? Crazy if so. You searched for VIN : 1JTMW66F8JT106516 This vehicle's data: Country of Manufacture United States Manufacturer Jeep Corporation Vehicle Type Truck Engine 4.0L, I-6, MPI Powertrain 5-speed manual, floor gear shift, 2 W/D Body Type Jeep Comanche, 2-W/D Pickup, 7.0 foot bed, 120 inch wheel base Gross Vehicle Weight Comanche, Base, Metric Ton, Big Ton / Comanche, Custom, Metric Ton, Big Ton = 5001 - 6000 lbs Assembly Plant Toledo, Ohio, USA Model Year 1988 Read more: http://www.jeepz.com/forum#ixzz4ShSBF8wj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 If you can find an XJ or MJ FSM on-line, look at Group 19 for the steering column. I was going to do a screen grab of an exploded diagram, but I would need to do about five or six pages to cover it. There might also be a single, overall exploded view in the parts manual if you can find that on-line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbkirkp Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 There is a mechanism. The column for a manual tranny has a release lever to allow the cylinder to turn to the final OFF/REMOVE position. For the automatics, this was done with a cable from the shifter. This is the same mechanism that locks the steering wheel -- does your wheel lock? If your truck is a manual, and you don't have the release lever, it probably is a column from an automatic, and whoever installed it didn't bother to create a way to release the key. Feel like the dumbest millennial. I had the whole steering column broken down when I noticed the actual lever sticking out of the column. I was thinking it was something on the inside. The previous ignition cylinder was so loose, it turned without it and I never used the lever! The new one worked and then the lever became effective and I never knew it was there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVPete Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 dbkirkp - I got a good laugh from your post^^. The term "operator head space and timing" comes to mind. Don't feel too bad, EVERYONE has had an experience similar to yours. You were just man enough to admit it. I'm still chuckling. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMC86Kid Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I did the same thing when I brought home my first manual Jeep this year. Three years of being in the automatic MJ every day and then shutting off the XJ and "what the Hell is this??) Although I did t get so far as to disassemble the column to try to fix it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 It took me a disappointing amount of time to figure that lever out on my '89 when I first drove it :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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