[76ceejay5]

So my CJ would not stop trying to crank even after I turned the switch off. After it burnt out my starter solenoid and I replaced it, I tried it again and I had to pull the negative off of my battery to make it stop. I assumed that there is an ignition switch problem (you can start it without the key since I got it anyway) so I wanted to change that out.

Here's the problem, I am trying to get the steering column out of my CJ and it is hung up on what I believe to be the actuator rod. I have taken out everything, and this rod is the only thing holding it in and no matter how hard I yank (got kinda pissed earlier....) it won't come out, the ignition switch rotates which lengthens the rod the further I pull, but it just won't let go. I'm also starting to get worried about getting it back in since its such an issue to get out.

Sorry for the long post, its my first one, and I figured I'd be as detailed as possible. Try to refrain from too much lingo, as I'm a newb

Thanks

[JeepHammer]

First off,
Welcome to the madness that is CJ Jeeps!
You are now by definition legally insane!
How's that for a comforting thought?

Secondly,
DO NOT be hard on your parts unless you have a pile of the same kind of parts lying on the ground at your feet!

Some of this stuff is difficult to find, other stuff is Impossible to find!

Third,
Research!
Best GM tilt column article I've ever seen!
Try this link,

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/088020.html

Here is a pretty good one,

http://elcaminocentral.com/article95.html

This one is pretty poor, but it might have pictures that will help,

http://www.epiccomputer.com/dale/jeepjunk/tilt/tilt.html

Here is another one of those 'Vanity Pages' that might have a picture that will help,

http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html

And this is scraping the bottom of the barrel...
This site is a play ground for for 'Internet Children'...
Once in a while they have good tech, but mostly it's just a bunch of kids trying to 'One Up' each other...

http://www.ifsja.org/tech/steering/column.html

----------------------------

This is user John Strenk's write up, but he stops WAY short of the ignition switch linkage...
Great write up, and maybe he has more if you ask...
He's one of the niceset guys in the world, so he'll help if you ask or he sees this!

http://www.luanjp.com/strenk/KeyLock/KeyCylinderReplacement.htm

[HackFabrication]

I'm really trying to figure out what you're doing. There are two distinct things: The ignition key/lock assembly and the ignition switch. The key/lock is obvious, the switch is mounted on the column under the dash. Turning the key, actuates the switch via the rod. The rod just slides into the switch. In order to get the rod out of the upper part of the column, IIRC, you need to remove the lock cylinder. You can pull the column with the rod still attached to it. I don't understand why it would be preventing you from pulling the column out of the vehicle.

Are you trying to pull the ignition key/lock cylinder? Or are you trying to remove the ignition switch?

[John Strenk]

Hack is right, you should be able to drop the column out with the ignition switch and actuator rod attached.

Do you have an automatic? (well you have a CJ5 so that wasn't an option)
Did you disconnect the steering shaft inside the engine compartment?
Did you take off the firewall bracket for the steering column?

[76ceejay5]

Thank you for the welcome Hammer, You guys all seem to be very knowledgeable, which is exactly what I need.

While the pictures are essentially the same, in the links hammer sent, I do not have a tilt column, I don't know if that makes a huge difference or not. I did get the key lock assembly out, but its still hung up on something.

Strenk and Hack, I did not disconnect the steering shaft or the firewall bracket, because I'm just trying to disconnect what I guess you would consider the upper part of the column. In all of the diagrams I'm where the cover is just supposed to come off. To be honest, I'm not completely sure if its even hung up on the actuator rod. I just can't tell what else it could be. It also feels like it could be connected to the lever you have to push ddown to get your keys out.

If this all seems a bit nonsensical perhaps I can take some pix....

Thanks so much guys....

Brad

[Slawth]

Originally Posted by John Strenk

Did you disconnect the steering shaft inside the engine compartment?
Did you take off the firewall bracket for the steering column?

Do this and take the entire steering column out of the Jeep. It is not difficult to remove and whatever it is you are trying to do will be much easier on a bench or the floor, rather than in the rig.

[HackFabrication]

Okay, here is a not so good pic of the column in my 76 CJ5:


I've already pulled the wheel, and the lockplate. Once you get that done, you'll need to remove the turn signal switch (you will have to unplug it under the dash on the column). When that's out, you've got to pull the ignition lock cylinder. When that's done you can get the rack out:


This is what the rod is attached to that goes down to the ignition switch (on the top). And what locks the steering wheel (the rod with the spring on it). Like I replied the rod will just slip out of the ignition switch.

Here's a pic of the pinion gear that is attached to the end of the lock cylinder:


The pinion gear will move the rack up to lock the column, or down all the way to 'light the fire' when you twist the key.

Are you certain it's just not a bad ignition switch? You really, really don't want to break the rack/pinion as they are difficult items to find (I sold the ones in the pic to another 'desperate' Jeeper).

[John Strenk]

Actually, the cover does not just come off. There are some bolts on the back side.
What are you trying to remove? Part number 19?

If you just want to replace the lock, you don't have to remove it.

[HackFabrication]

The more I read your symptoms, the more I'm thinking it's either a bad rack/pinion or the ignition switch is broke.

Do you have problems locking/unlocking the steering wheel?
Does the 'action' of the turning the key seem sticky/free?

[243]

Hack,

In all the GM vehicles I have owned, when the key is turned to "start" it has resistance, possibly from a spring that returns it to the "on" position. What provides the resistance? I have disassembled my 83 non-tilt column down to the shaft and cannot figure this out. The ignition lock does not have a spring return and neither does the ignition switch and they are new so I am eliminating them as the problem...I am totally stumped.

[76ceejay5]

I cannot believe that people can be so willing to help, you guys are altruists !!! Renewing my faith in mankind and helping me fix my beast I agree, I think its the ignition switch as well. I'm gonna relace the lock cylinder and the ignition switch I've been so concerned with getting this column off, because I thought the ignition switch was inside, if that makes any sense. I'm gonna check it out when I get home from work this afternoon, because from the diagrams, it looks like you don't even have to take all this s$*t out to get to it....

[John Strenk]

Nope you don't . The switch is on top of the column behind the dash. Two screws and it's out.


There is a black and a whit plug in the switch




There IS a spring IN the ignition switch to push back from the start position.

[rich-allen]

Originally Posted by 76ceejay5

Renewing my faith in mankind

Lets not get carried away