key cylinder will not turn

...okay, there is a reason that the key cannot be withdrawn, either it is still in gear instead of park, the foot is not on the brake~....but it is an intentional feature...some issue has not been addressed...we've got to figure out what. Will check for blog's about this now.~

http://www.fixya.com/cars/t10676158-ignition_lock_cylinder_93_jeep_cherokee

fixya has not fixed me, per se in the past, but there are some pretty good illustrations there~

yes.

Hi everybody, the key can be taken in & out of the cylinder, it just won't turn to run, start, acc, etc. But if I can't turn the key, that means I can't get the cylinder out of the ignition switch. I hope this makes sense.

if you try your other unworn key, same result?...Lock-ease...a couple sprays get that graphite up in there~

put key into ign. then bang on key towards the colom. I have found this to free alot of them up. Then you can remove lock cyl. Once out you turn the cyl. to the acc. position, push the gold pin in and continue to turn the cyl.past the acc. position. then cyl. will come apart. carefully remove the tumblers and springs. BE SURE TO KEEP THEM IN ORDER. wash out cyl and tumblers w/some brake clean...blow out and reassm. in reverse. Thin film of lube where the pin rides to lock the two main parts of cyl together and other end where they make contact together. DO NOT PUT GREASE ONTHE TUMBLERS...this will cause debris to stick to them causing them to stick again......hope this helps......

94 Cherokee SE drove fine the night before we had 17 degree cold. Next morning key spun past crank and appeared broken. Replacing starter switch didn't help. While replacing key tumbler I noticed actuator gearing the tumbler turns was loose and worn. Should be a wire in there that keeps it pressed against the actuator rod (must be broken). NOBODY carries replacements and Jeep changed the design as a result. Lube any moving parts as much as possible and good luck!!!

It's your transmission is not fully engaged in Park . If an Automatic Trans . Hit your drive shifter forward into park then try key again . This is because the center console is to far towards rear of vehicle and does not allow shifter to fully engage in Park" setting . You may have to disassemble console then try to get it reset in proper place . This is easy to do but may take a few tries to get position correct ..

Hello Doctor! I just followed your advice..My 2000 jeep GC..key wouldn't turn..sprayed graphite but I pounded key towards dash board..not column..and it worked..Now question...I am going to have to leave key in the ignition until I purchase a new cylinder or is this simply a dirt issue? Where is the most trust worthy website to purchase and will it come with a key?

Jeep Cherokee 2001 I had a key that I had to thump with my hand half the time to be able to turn for about a year. Finally I waited too long and it would not move. I tried all the tricks with lube and a hammer but in the end I took a pliers and forced it to turn to start. It now works fine. Im sure something is bent out of shape in the cylinder now but I dont care!

I ended up installing a new keyed ignition, which involved taking off the steering wheel. One of my turn signals wouldn't work on the column, but NAPA had the turn signal 'helps' which had broken. I also had to undo the linkage down the column to install the new switch, and now everything works great. But now I have to use 2 keys: one marked as the door and back hatch key, one to start the Jeep.

My steering wheel locked up and my key wouldn’t turn. I tried to move my shifter and wiggles my key but it wouldn’t work. If your steering wheel is locked up pull it either to the left or right, it should move a little then turn the key. The steering wheel has a safety lock this saved me time and money.

Ended up purchasing a new keyed ignition, which also involved a linkage rod down thru the firewall. I marked the old key for the doors, back hatch, and glovebox (doing this was cheaper than the alternative), and the new unmarked key to start the jeep.

Some jeeps having a anti-thief feature try turning the turning wheel cause if it’s been turned that might be it.

I have the same problem when I check to see if in gear the I have foot on brake and then I cannot press the shifter button