2004 Wrangler 4.0 - Bad Ignition Lock Cylinder

WWII-Willys

WWII-Willys

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Hi Gang

Merry Xmas to all!

I'm 75 years old with health issues. I'm able do 'some' maintenance, however with 153K on this 4.0 Auto Wranlger, inevitably things will go wrong. And this 'could' be an expensive SHOP FIX. 😰 My key is jammed in the ignition cylinder; (can't get it out), although it will successfully turn and start the engine then turn off. Column needs to be taken apart? Any ideas?

Thank You!
 
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I'd volunteer to help but we're nearly at opposite ends of the state. I haven't actually replaced one but it definitely looks easier than most other jobs. Here's a good thread on how to do it... https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/ignition-cylinder-removal.12418/

By the way it might be dangerous for a 75 and a 76 year old to be working together on a TJ. Who knows what could happen. :ROFLMAO:
 
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Thanx Jerry - Always nice to see you. The link you provided (referred to user Boinked) and looks a lot like a breeze. However his TJ is a 97, mine is a 2004? I'll copy those instruction pages, reply to Boinks post and we'll see where it goes from here? Thanks Jerry!
 
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I'd volunteer too but I'm on the wrong coast!

It's an easy fix.

And honestly as easy as it is to steal a TJ you might as well ignore the issue. I leave my keys in my Jeep most of the time...but I live in the middle of nowhere on 17 acres.

If you're concerned about theft look into hidden switches to disable the ignition.

-Mac
 
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Hi There Mr. Macleanflood (very kind of you). :giggle: My buddy Jack will help, (he's family) :cool: I installed a simple hidden KILL switch when I live in Philly, but rarely use it down here. My main concern/issue (yet to discover), is how far off the 2004 process is from Boinks 97 U Tube Clip? We'll find out ...? I'll be looking into it ... BTW, ever watch 'Matt's Off Road Recovery' on U Tube? Ok Mr. Maclean, thanx and go break somemore shit. 🤣
 
WWII-Willys said:
Hi There Mr. Macleanflood (very kind of you). :giggle: My buddy Jack will help, (he's family) :cool: I installed a simple hidden KILL switch when I live in Philly, but rarely use it down here. My main concern/issue (yet to discover), is how far off the 2004 process is from Boinks 97 U Tube Clip? We'll find out ...? I'll be looking into it ... BTW, ever watch 'Matt's Off Road Recovery' on U Tube? Ok Mr. Maclean, thanx and go break somemore shit. 🤣
Click to expand...

No actual experience with anything other than a 97 but I believe every TJ used the same switch.

I watch Matt's Offroad Recovery all the time...even made a couple of my own... although I usually am doing volunteer trail work or trash pickups.


-Mac
 
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Hey Mac! That was a pretty cool Video! Great Job man! Yeah, I got hooked on Matt's channel for a while. How bout that Lizzie on the welding machine? She's not with Matt anyone. Anyway, you guys gave me some confidence regarding this stuck key cylinder and I'll be tackling it soon. I also found THIS (and) THIS. But Amazon has a TON of Jeep Lock cylinders! Not sure which one to go with?
 
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macleanflood said:
I'm done buying parts on Amazon. Half their stuff is junk. I just had a negative review banned for failing to meet community standards.

I'd buy from Rock Auto or Napa.

-Mac
Click to expand...

Same here. Been burned a couple times on Amazon for Jeep parts. I try to find OEM but near impossible for TJ parts now so Rockauto and Napa are my go to places.
 
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macleanflood said:
I'm done buying parts on Amazon. Half their stuff is junk. I just had a negative review banned for failing to meet community standards.

I'd buy from Rock Auto or Napa.

-Mac
Click to expand...

Same here. Bought a clutch master/slave with Dorman written all over it. Must’ve been fake cause it didn’t work worth a darn. Went back to the old setup. Also got a review kicked back because I complained about the packaging it came in. The lights were great but Amazon wrapped their tape around the damaged box and shipped it anyway.
Rock auto for the win now.
 
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macleanflood said:
Half their stuff is junk.
Click to expand...

That's being a bit generous. :)


WWII-Willys said:
My key is jammed in the ignition cylinder; (can't get it out), although it will successfully turn and start the engine then turn off.
Click to expand...

When I first got my LJ back in May, I had a bit of an issue getting the key out of my ignition switch. Turns out it's just a little worn and was easy to not hit the correct spot to remove the key.

Are you able to rotate it the other way and hit the accessory position? Might be nothing but I'd try moving the switch in small increments with slight outward pressure on the key to see if it comes out. Just a thought
 
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WWII-Willys said:
Hi There Mr. Macleanflood (very kind of you). :giggle: My buddy Jack will help, (he's family) :cool: I installed a simple hidden KILL switch when I live in Philly, but rarely use it down here. My main concern/issue (yet to discover), is how far off the 2004 process is from Boinks 97 U Tube Clip? We'll find out ...? I'll be looking into it ... BTW, ever watch 'Matt's Off Road Recovery' on U Tube? Ok Mr. Maclean, thanx and go break somemore shit. 🤣
Click to expand...

You can pull up the FSM for your year under the Resources section.

Does yours have the key release button like mine with the MT?

Usually you have the other issue with wear, the key will come out with the cylinder in any position.
 
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Temporary Good News: I saturated the key slot 3 days ago with WD40 and left it alone. Result now; key & switch functionality returned! But its time for a NEW cylinder 153K old and still acts up occasionally, as JKP pointed out. Amazon? I agree most of the new cylinders online look like junk and priced too low (10 bucks) to be any good? I have an account with Quadratec, but willing to try NAPA. JKP asked: "Does yours have the key release button like mine with the MT?" So far, I see two holes for that bottom panel, one of which is probably the 'easy access' hole/port for the cylinder tab release. I'll be removing the entire bottom cover when I replace the cylinder. And BTW, I don't mind having to use two keys.

Thanks Jerry (and) EVERYONE!
 
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Swapping out the key cylinder is a super easy job. I used the Dorman learning cylinder so I could keep my original key. I had the problem where the key could be removed from the cylinder at any position, Jeep running or off. The whole job was maybe 45 minutes start to finish.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D8BKR5M/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
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The manual transmission ones have a button on the column that you push to release the key, otherwise the key will not come out. I think the ATs release the key when it's in park. Someone with an AT can confirm.

My point is that it may not be the cylinder that is bad, it may be the mechanism that keeps the key in the ignition unless the button is pushed or the AT is in park.

1701701955482.png
 
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Hi There JKP - Thank you for nice the illustration. ;) The 2004 automatic doesn't have that feature. You also mentioned: "My point is that it may not be the cylinder that is bad, it may be the mechanism that keeps the key in the ignition" Would you agree that by saturating the keyhole with WD40, (within the cylinder), that's basically what FREED up the key/switch function and allowed the key be removed?
 
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Yes, it freed up the lock cylinder or the mechanism that prevents the key from being removed. I assume you have an auto since you don't have the button. I'm not sure of the exact mechanism on the ATs, but it usually requires the shifter to be fully in P before the key releases.
 
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I ordered a ignition lock and door cylinders from Wolf Security...but at the time my ignition key didn't match the doors and I didn't have a key anyways.

-Mac
 
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