89' Cherokee power accessories not working

ridebmx69 · Member Joined: 11 Nov 2006

I have a question about my 89' 4 dr cherokee. About a month ago I noticed my "accessory" powered items would go on and off without any reason. After a couple weeks of my radio, blower, wipers, and directional signals going from perfectly fine to not working for no reason, I figured out a trick. I found if I jiggled the key in the ignition I could get it to come back on. I don't have to turn the key too far, causing the engine to turn off, just a little bit of shaking will usually get the acc power items to come back on. But recently I've found my accessory items to be shutting off more often and its getting harder to get them back on with the key jiggling.

Now here's the other part,
I also have a remote starter in the jeep. I've found that if I start the truck(manualy or remotely) and start driving; the radio, directionals, ect...will never come on right off the bat. When jiggling the key won't work as I'm driving, I can press the "start" button on my remote starter's remote control and the acc power comes on and everythings fine. Don't have to jiggle the keys or nothing. So that leads me to believe it's not a loose contact inside the ignition or anything. I have been using the remote starter for a while but I have to get it inspected and I don't think that will fly too well when Mr. Inspector starts her up. Any help on this would help me greatly. Thanks, Brian

KnightFire · Member Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Location: Hanover, MD

Sounds like you need a new ignition cylinder. Thats the only thing that makes sense by all the 'jiggling' you have to do to get things to work, not sure why the remote properly powers your ACC items...I'd go ahead and replace the cylinder, then go from there.
_________________
2002 TJ Wrangler X
Patriot Blue 4.0L
Check Website for Mods/Photos

Amsoil Dealer

Tardis · Member Joined: 07 Aug 2004 Location: Ohio

That era of Jeeps has a GM style column. The lock cylinder will not cause electrical problems. All the lock cylinder does is unlock the column, and move a gear rack to push an actuating rod on the ignition switch. Check the turn signal switch wiring, the ignition switch, and the bulkhead accessories connectors on the column. GM columns made back then had problems with all of the above. Look for wiring faults with the remote start kit.
_________________
89' YJ Sahara Project, 94' YJ, 98' TJ, 99' XJ

jeepguy83 · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Location: Duluth, MN

i just had the same problem and found that i had a short going to the ignition swithc on the bottom of the counsil. one of the wires was toasted. so i spliced in a spade connection went to napa got a switch for $12 works great now...i also noticed when i was having the problem that the key was hard to turn and this also fixed that problem i have a pic of it but i dont know how to insert them

Jake