01 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Ignition Switch frozen

WHIPSTER

MEMBER
2001 JEEP CHEROKEE

My Jeep has about 78,000 miles on it, and I love it. It is a full-time 4WD, driven mostly on-the-road. )I don't get much time for camping anymore). My ignition switch has been giving me intermittent problems with my key (not my Wife's, which is the master key). Every now/then, when I put the key in, it won't turn. I have to jiggle it, play around with it, or sometimes give up and use my Wife's key to drive. Today it finally stopped working. Neither key will turn at all. Tried a little lube just to see if it would help, which it didn't. I removed the column covers, but cannot remove the ignition swith. The Immobilizer came out alright, as well as the plastic cover around the switch. All I can find holding the switch in is a detent, which does depress, but the switch won't come out. O cannot see any other screws/fasteners holding it in. The manual says to remove any, but none are visible, even with a light and mirror. Is there some special tool, or trick to getting this out so I can get it worked on, or replaced? Or once out, what can I do with it to get it working again?

2 Replies

RONBOMASTER

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1 POST

I've got exactly the same problem. Still looking for a resolution.

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Sunday, June 10th, 2007 AT 2:35 PM

WHIPSTER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Finally got it fixed. Found a "Mobile Mechanic". Yes, they DO exist, but are rare. Had to remove and replace ignition switch. Only problem was, unit was frozen internally, which is why I couldn't remove it myself. Mechanic had to use a pipe wrench to get it to even budge. Since this Jeep has the Immobilizer installed, the new ignition switch had to be programmed to our keys. The labor was the least expensive part of this repair. The parts, as well as the programming, were both more expensive. All tolled it ran over $500. But I still think the Immobilizer is worth it in the long run. Good luck with yours.