[Cherokeekid88]

Well for the past week, ive smelled this weird smell inside the cab, i figured it was from where i dumped my exhaust but when i turn the heat on the smell goes away. Well today i got in my jeep and was driving down the road and saw ther was smoke coming from my steering column, not cloudy smoke but very vague smoke, any ideas?

[red_01_xj]

check and see how your gromets are the ones that pass wires thought the fire wall...i noticed one of mine fell out of place

[tangofox007]

From my own experience and reports on this forum, it appears that this is the year for '88 model ignition switches to burn up.

[88XJSport]

I will agree with tango. I smelled a burning smell, and changed my ignition switch and this is what I found. Since yours is an 88, it should look similar to mine.

[tjwalker]

I agree with the above. Almost for sure the switch. You'll have to dig into the column to verify. I haven't seen it on an XJ but I have seen this exact problem on other vehicles. Time to dig in!

[Cherokeekid88]

ok, so what all is involved with finding and replacing the ignition switch, and is it bad to drive it around with it like that?

[CharBroiled]

just keep the fire extinguisher handy.

it can leave you stranded or cause other unpleasant thing to happen so you shouldnt ignore it.

[Cherokeekid88]

well i need to take it over to my buddies house so when can look at it, so would it be bad to drive it over there? or just get it towed?

Also what all is involved in this?



MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[CharBroiled]

well, I would drive it over but thats just me. but you really need to get it fixed soonest.

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by Cherokeekid88

well i need to take it over to my buddies house so when can look at it, so would it be bad to drive it over there? or just get it towed?

Also what all is involved in this?



MERRY CHRISTMAS!

If it is the ignition switch, it is likely to eventually melt the track inside the switch, at which time you might not be able to turn the key. Mine caused some intermittent trouble before it finally became totally inoperative (and stuck in the "off" position.) So you can probably get away with driving it, but I would have a back-up plan so you don't get stranded.

The switch is not hard to replace, except for being difficult to access. You need to remove the bottom portion of the dash board. No need to remove or drop the steering column.

To avoid possible confusion, the switch in question is at the base of the steering column; it is not the lock cylinder.

[Cherokeekid88]

ok cool. Well im gonna let betsy rest today and ill just have her towed over to my buddies house tomorrow. (AAA) and we will take a look at it. thanks for all your help guys. its funny though...last christmas eve, my alternator went out on the way BACK from my grandparents and this year my ignition switch burned up ON the way there.....

[REPOXP777]

I had the same thing happen to me on my 89 . It melted in the same spot on the switch . Pretty easy to replace just a couple of nuts under the dash . Make sure to check to see how bad the wire connector is burned .

[Cherokeekid88]

ok just went out there and started taking the screws out to pull the lower dash. I think its 4 screws right below the steering column and then 2 screws on the bottom that holds down the yellow thing and then 1 screws that holds the bracket for the light that comes on when you open your doors at your feet, well i cant get one of the top screws out, i even used a drill but it wont catch it, so i looked up underneath it and i saw 2 bolts, maybe like a 10-14 mm bolt side by side and then i saw a bolt that is connected to a black rod that is diagonal and connected to something else, couldnt really see all that well. Am i getting close at all?? i couldnt really pinpoint where the actual ignition switch is at.