[ozman2downs]

I need to hotwire in a push button switch starter on my 2005 TJ. I have had the ignition key mechanism break three times already. Chrysler is raping me by making me replace the entire steering column each time at $700-900 a pop.

So, screw them.

This time I decided I'm going to wire in a switch starter. I would like to know if anyone has done this before and could walk me through what you've done.

Basically, the steering lock broke again and the key just turns free. No start.
I search and found only one other link with some teenager's ramblings. I'm looking for straight-up technical info on wiring in a push button starter switch. I have advanced mechanical skill, incl elec. Just want to know about previous experiences etc. -- Best way to do this and have it run right and look pretty. I want to still use key for turning on acc/security. Just hoping to wire in a push button starter to bypass broken catch-pin.

Thanks to All,

Shawn

 

[Rubi4MyMrs]

The pin that breaks is available at parts stores by itself for a few dollars rather than the dealer way. There are several write-ups on that in this forum. That said, here is how I would do it.

This way uses the key for everything but the start position; there is a wire that comes from the ignition switch & goes to the starter relay. Cut that wire. According to my ’05 FSM it is pink with an orange tracer. Probably the easiest place to locate it would be at the large yellow connector above the left foot well with about 32 wires in it. The pk/or wire s/b 2nd from one of the corners. Splice into the side of the cut that goes to the relay. (You could also tap into it rather than cutting it.) That wire would go to one side of your push button switch. Wire the other side of the switch to a battery source. The safest way is to wire it to a source (like a fuse tap) that is hot only when the key is on. Set up this way the engine will only crank with the key on & the other “safety” condition (clutch in or trans in park) is met.

 

[ozman2downs]

Thanks Rubi!!!

I've id the wires at the harness and will attempt push button start soon as I get some time.

I want to just rule out the clutch switch first. I put fuse in bypass, but maybe I'll just bypass the switch too. I think it's just a simple continuity switch, right?

Can't think of what else it would be. The weird thing is, I can't jump the starter posts to start it, (key on, clutch depressed) but I can coast/tow start it. Must be some safety/anti theft mechanism in the steering column/key cylinder. Any ideas how to bypass that? Wish I could just jump the starter posts to start it for now.

Tell me more about the steering pin that breaks. Name? Part number? It's a part that can be replaced without replacing the entire steering column? Dealer is misleading me then. Any images?

I don't find the posts you mentioned by searching. I know it's just a forum novice thing, so I'll keep looking ... but any additional info, images, schematics etc will help me a ton. Super busy at work and being a single dad leaves me very little time

 

[flying_bosun]

Chrysler is raping me by making me replace the entire steering column each time at $700-900 a pop.

Holy Cr@p! That's horrible. I've never had the ignition pin break on me, but as soon as I read your post I recalled seeing it mentioned maybe a dozen times here in JF. Was that Crown in Ventura? They're great at sticking it to ya, but I do know a GREAT Jeep mechanic that works there.

I want to just rule out the clutch switch first. I put fuse in bypass, but maybe I'll just bypass the switch too. I think it's just a simple continuity switch, right?

Yep, it's a simple continuity switch; I clipped and spliced mine years ago, before I heard about the fuse option.

Here's a link to a ignition switch specific thread as well as a whole list of them for the topic in general.

Ignition-failure-requires-new-steering-column

and

Search="Ignition Pin"

I've seen yo around town here and there (I'm SB, too). PM if I can help at all or if you need any tools.

 

[ozman2downs]

Holy Cr@p! That's horrible. . .

Yep. Sucks. I used the Goleta guys before they split town :laugh:

I've called Crown three times now. No one has called back. What's the mechanics name you know. PM me.

I might need a hand. Text me your number. I PMed mine to you. I'm going to work on it this weekend.

I just hear it could also be a short in the wire that links the drivers door switch and maybe it could even be a bad ground wire.
I've got some playing to do

Funny you've seen me around. I've been hearing that a lot lately. :2thumbsup:

Cheers,

 

[Rubi4MyMrs]

OK you have the info on the pin. Now to starting it in the mean time. If I understand you, you are jumping the battery post to the small post with the yellow/gray wire. That should work unless the starter is bad. To be sure & better than jumping there, find the starter relay in the PDC (box in front of the battery). Pull the relay & jump the 30 & 87 terminals. The #s s/b on the relay. The 30 terminal should have power all the time from fuse 6 also in the PDC. The 87 terminal connects to the yl/gy wire that goes to the starter solenoid. That should crank the starter & with the key on should start the engine. I KNOW YOU KNOW THIS BUT BE SURE YOU ARE IN NEUTRAL, I don't want to hear that you ran yourself over.

While you have the relay out you can test the ignition switch & clutch safety switch. That same pink/orange wire that comes from the ign sw I mentioned in my last post goes to the 86 terminal of the starter relay. It s/b getting power when you turn the key to the start position with the safety sw bypassed & hot with the clutch in & key to start with the clutch sw connected. The 85 terminal is grounded through (&controlled by) the PCM.

That is it, I hope after all this your starter is not the problem but at least you can now easily check it.

Also here is a link to the pin with the dorman part # http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-924-704-Ignition-Actuator-Chrysler/dp/B004BYX8W8/ref=au_pf_pfg_s?ie=UTF8&Model=Wrangler|356&n=15684181&s=automotive&Make=Jeep|42&Year=2005|2005&vehicleType=automotive&newCar=1&carId=001

 

[ozman2downs]

thanks guys. Im gonna mess with it Sat and see whatsup.

The steering lock is broken. That's the only indication it is the pin issue. That's the same thing that happend last time. Any thougts?

 

[ozman2downs]

i can't get it to start any other way than to push start it.

Is there a safety switch in the electronics of the key cylinder or something? Anyway to bypass it?

I don't have any security system or transpoder key. This is turning into a weird one.

 

[mate44]

Something in my ignition on my TJ 99 broke. Little plastic rod at the end of the keycylinder. Found out that Chrysler Voyager had the same ignition, so went to a scrap and found one, got the hole thing for 10 bucks. Replaced the little rod and now it works like a charm, maybe that also could work for the 05 mod? Have the old parts at home, can give you a picture dec 17th if you are interested..?

By the way, its easy to change, assembly took me 10 min. And before this, dealer charged me 1000 dollars for disassembly (Norwegian prices) and just told me which part was broken. Took care of the rest myself

Mathias

 

[ozman2downs]

pic would be great. Thx -- I pulled mine a few times and looked at it. No broken pieces evident, but weirder things have happend

 

[mate44]

pic would be great. Thx -- I pulled mine a few times and looked at it. No broken pieces evident, but weirder things have happend

I had to change this piece:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Chrys...sories&fits=Make:Jeep|Model:Wrangler&hash=item1e6bf7570c&vxp=mtr#ht_1854wt_1189

The metaltip was broken..

 

[castorriver]

Something in my ignition on my TJ 99 broke. Little plastic rod at the end of the keycylinder. Found out that Chrysler Voyager had the same ignition, so went to a scrap and found one, got the hole thing for 10 bucks. Replaced the little rod and now it works like a charm, maybe that also could work for the 05 mod? Have the old parts at home, can give you a picture dec 17th if you are interested..?

By the way, its easy to change, assembly took me 10 min. And before this, dealer charged me 1000 dollars for disassembly (Norwegian prices) and just told me which part was broken. Took care of the rest myself

Mathias

How did you figure it out? I'd like to wire in a dead switch on my YJ and I might do a push button start while I'm at it.