Jeep Won't Stay Started

[Big Bad CJ]

i just got my ignition lock cyclinder replaced by a looksmith and ever since it wont start. I had it changed because i lost the key. The new one works fine but it will only run in the start position. Once it springs back to the run position it turns off.If you hold the key it will stay started but you hear the starter cranking as if you hit the key when your cars already started.not good. so i tryed to replace to ignition switch on the column and it still won't start. if anybody might now what's wrong i wold appricate it.
Thanks
matt

[Big Bad CJ]

does anybody now what that could be because iw ould love to get my jeep back on the road again.

[64Trvlr]

What kind of Jeep is it? Automatic or manual? What year?
:cool:

[Dive 30]

If it is a later G-wag I would look at the fusible links and/or the amp gauge. A fusible link would kill the motor as you switch from battery to alt power systems. Typically the bad amp gauge you wouldn't even get the thing to start.

I'm guessing that your old ign switch/lock cylinder was holding in a postion that allowed this prob to go unnoticed.

It would really help if you listed what year/model of FSJ you had in your sig

Let us know

Phil

[Crazy_Jeepman]

If this is the 1979 Golden Eagle you have listed in your profile, actually does not matter as this problem is the same no matter what the rig is and the fix is the same. There are a couple things that would do this. If you have a wore out tilt wheel as I do it may bind the rod that goes to the actual ignition switch at the bottom of column. I have to turn key as far as it will go and move tilt wheel around till it starts and if I tilt it down to far it will shut the truck off. The other thing is it could be the switch itself, almost sounds like it. I have run into this a few times now and wound up putting a new switch in. After reading your post again I see you have replaced the switch. I would guess if this all started after the new lock cylinder was instaled I would be inclined to think that did not go as well as it should have and should be checked by whoever did it ;)

[ January 27, 2002: Message edited by: Crazy_Jeepman ]</p>

[Lugnut]

Sounds like the ignition electrical switch mounted toward the bottom of the steering column may be the culprit. This switch mounts in two slotted holes that allow adjustment. I'm going from memory but I recently had to replace mine and there is an adjustment to this switch when it's replaced, and it's a little finite to get it right. Possibly, yours has been replaced in the past and was adjusted to the old, worn linkage in your column. I think I would go by the favorite parts house, ask to see an ignition electrical switch, check out the instructions that come in the box with the switch, and follow those. Or, if you want, you can just replace the switch. It's only about $10. I have two Jeeps and the switch on both have gone bad in the last 2-3 years. Study very carefully how it comes out. It's really rather odd in the way it mounts to the column and you'd swear you're mounting it back the same way it came off and end up trying to mount it upside down.

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

WHY I'M TELLING YOU THIS I DON'T KNOW...BUT YOUR POST MADE ME THINK OF WHAT I DID A FEW MONTHS AGO ....85 JETTA THEY HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE ING SWITCH...SOMETIMES IT WILL START AND SOME TIMES NOT....WHAT I DID WAS BUY A BUTTON STARTER AND MOUNT IT ON THE DASH......TURN THE KEY ON AND PUSH....WORKES EVERYTIME....NOW MY DAUGHTER CAN START THAT JUNK ANYTIME....PS I HATE VWs BIG AND SMALL...... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ME!!!! smile.gif smile.gif

[Thomas DeBusk]

I replaced my ignition switch last summer. Rijoyner is right about the two slots. Loosen the two screws that hold the switch and you can slide it up and down the steering column.

If you get it too far one way or the other, the key lock won't operate correctly. It'll act like the key's in one position when it's actually in the next position. I'd try looseing the two screws and sliding the switch up and down the column while operating the key.

[Big Bad CJ]

the jeep is a 79 golden eagle without tilt wheel and an automatic transmission. I did replace the ignition switch and tried to adjust it and it still does the same thing.allthough the place on the column were i would place the ignition switch is about 2 cm high.since the bolts don't match up with the threads is there any other way to hold the ignition switch in place. is there anything else that this problem might be related to other than the ignition switch? Thanks for all the help.

[Veepster]

OK guys....couldn't this be a problem with the starter solenoid......??? I am working off memory(which is pretty bad)and doesn't the coil get juice from one wire when starting and then another when it is running?...could this not be the culprit?......but since there has been recent fumblings with the ignition switch I would make darn sure everything there is A-OK!....I have seen this exact situation described in the TSM and know it is something quite simple....

[jeepbob]

It coul;d be that the start mode in the ign box is bad. Try another box and might just find your problem is cured

[Bob Barry]

Nobody has mentioned this, but it's possible you may have burned out the resistor wire feeding reduced positive voltage to your coil. Put your ignition in the "RUN" position and see if you are getting~6-9 volts at the (+) terminal of the coil. If not, trace that wire back in the harness to the bulkhead connector on the firewall, and check for 12V there. If it's not there, then the problem may be the ignition switch or the wiring under the dash.

[Big Bad CJ]

jeepbob is the ignition box located on the inside left front fender? and how much should that run me do you think?thanks

[Veepster]

somewhere between 30 and 70.....easy item to find, any pep boys or kragens will carry them.