Ignition switch doesn't work properly

Ok guys, I have this really weird problem with my '05 Rubicon TJ w/4.0L, 6spd. I start it up this morning and go to school and everything is fine. After school when I left, everything was fine. I met my dad at one of our job sites near my college so we could go bring some stuff down to the machine shop in his truck. The city is not the best spot to be at any time during the day. Figured it is safe there. When we return, I go to leave and my ignition switch doesn't feel right. It works for the accessories, off and run position, but not the position where it would engage the solenoid. I do a little trouble shooting, like check the battery connections and what not. I call my dad to come back. We tried jumping the two starter leads with a screw driver, but the bendix wouldn't engage. We couldn't get it to pop start either. I always carry two keys with me and tried both. Still no worky. We ghad a guy from the shop to bring a trailer down and trailered it home. I don't see any evidence of someone trying to steal it. Just a coincidence that it happened in a bad city.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, or advice on how the fix it? I can't figure out how to get the plastic off the steering column to take a looksy. I really need to get it fixed tomorrow.

 

I figured it out. I guess it is a common issue with the TJs



This thing, the ignition switch activator, broke. It goes between the lock cylinder and the actual switch. On the left, the piece outside the rusty rod, is what turns the switch. It goes into a slot and one of the sides broke off. If anyone runs into the same issue, it is pretty simple to get a work around. You'll need a tamper proof T10 torx bit and T20. Take the plastic off the column, disconnect the battery (so the airbag wont go off), disconnect the two plugs for the windshield wipers and lights. remove that whole assembly. There is one tamper proof T10 screw that holds the switch on. Take that off and pull the switch. I'm not sure how to get the actuator out yet.

MOPAR sells only the whole column, why? I don't know. There is a company that sells the part. I guess I'll be starting mine with a screwdriver for a few days till the parts come in.

The company:

http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/dodge-chrysler-plymouth/hsg04a-ignition-switch-actuator.php

And a discussion on the wrangler forum:

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f5/tj-ignition-switch-woes-13807.html

 

$96 part!?!?!?

WOW! I though about ordering one to have as a spare just in case but that is expensive.

 

I figured out how to take it apart. There is a little tab that you push at the bottom of the lock cylinder. The cylinder will pop out and the part pictured in my other post will slip right out. you can take it apart further like this. Pretty cheesy piece if you ask me. It is made of pot metal (roll). I think you can get just this part from the company I mentioned.

 

Well thats a rip off. Just the actuator is 86 bucks! Better to buy the whole assembly!

http://www.steeringcolumnservices.c...uth/hsg04s-ignition-switch-actuator-shaft.php

 

Yep, you probably will. The bad thing about it is, there is no warning and it will just break at any time. I had no luck trying to start it any other way, like pop starting or jumping the starter.

For now, my key is a screw driver until the part comes in. It fits right into the key cylinder hole perfectly! R)

 

I put the new $100 part in and it works like a charm. Just a big PITA.

 

As much as we all love Jeeps and say to ourselves its a different company, I'm constantly reminded the new ones are still a ....Dodge

 

Thanks for the part number. It is $26 on Amazon.

 

thats not all it shares unfortunately.....