Won't Release Key

I have an 89 XJ, its an automatic with 4 wheel drive. About 3 out of every 5 times when i go to turn off the car the key will stop at off but wont go to sterring lock. Therefore locking the key in the ignition. Sometimes if i wiggle the shifter and push it foward really hard then it will come out. but mostly this dosnt work. And also i can turn the key back to on then back to lock and it will release the key sometimes. I would like to locate the problem cause i dont like leaving my jeep open for the public to drive off with. Thanks, Alex

Mine does this too, I'm pretty sure it's the NSS switch under the shifter, it tells the Jeep when its in park, or drive, etc. I know it's causing the problem of my Jeep not starting unless I wiggle the shifter too.
It's telling the jeep it's not in park so it's not releasing the key.
I'm pretty sure you just need to take the switch out and clean it.

Ok, Ill try that tomaro and let you know what happens. Thanks for the help.

I have the same problem, except sometimes, if u take the key out it wont go back in or if it does it wont turn and you have to dink around with it for a long long time, but mine starts up everytime though without wiggling anythign, so i dunno what my problem is

same deal here, if the lock cylinder doesnt turn (like turning it all the way off on mine) just give the shifter a smack and that should do it.

There's a steering column lock plate behind the horn on the wheel. The NSS has nothing to do with the key. Ignition and starting yes, but not the key or the wheel. You probably have a bad ignition switch or the column lock mechanism is screwy.

is there a shit interlock on the aw4?
had an escort that wouldn't let you remove the key if it wasn't in park, it was cable actuated, and the calbe had become sticky, and wouldn't release the key.

Is there a way to test the ignition switch? I dont want ot start replacing stuff if im not sure its broken. Plus, if it isnt the NSS then why would shaking the shifter release the key?

I just talked to a couple parts stores and my dad(he is a mechanic) and they all say its got to be the key tumbler, so for 25 bucks, i think im just gonna replace that. So Rocketman is probly right. Thanks. Now i just have to figure out how to get it out...........

There's a cable that goes between the shifter and the lock to make it impossible to remove the key unless it's in park. This cable can easily get out of adjustment, and it can be readjusted. I don't happen to have the instructions for that on hand, since I've been driving a 5-speed for a long time, but I do recall that my 87 had this problem occasionally. I would not replace lock tumbler for this until the cable is checked. If you're lazy and don't want to fix it, just make sure you wiggle the shifter a few times before trying to remove the key.

Matthew Currie said:

There's a cable that goes between the shifter and the lock to make it impossible to remove the key unless it's in park. This cable can easily get out of adjustment, and it can be readjusted. I don't happen to have the instructions for that on hand, since I've been driving a 5-speed for a long time, but I do recall that my 87 had this problem occasionally. I would not replace lock tumbler for this until the cable is checked. If you're lazy and don't want to fix it, just make sure you wiggle the shifter a few times before trying to remove the key.

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that's what I was trying to say.

jeepxj2007 said:

I have the same problem, except sometimes, if u take the key out it wont go back in or if it does it wont turn and you have to dink around with it for a long long time, but mine starts up everytime though without wiggling anythign, so i dunno what my problem is

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had the same problem but NOW when i sick the key in i dont turn it with my hands i giggle it and turn it with a adjustable wrench works like clock work

Well if anyone has instructions on how to adjust the cable from the shifter to the lock then i will try it and give results. ill look under the concole to see if i can figure it out. can you just disable the sterring and ignition lock? i wouldnt mind not having them, im not worried about someone stealing my jeep(its got 300000 on the clock and a bent rod)

ok, for my problem, its that cable for sure. if u lift straight up on the shifter it comes off. then u pry up on the plastic square that surrounds the shifter, it pops up. pull that out of the way and i also unscrewed the black trim piece that covers the length of the concole. it gave me more room to work. then you can see the linkage. there are two cables; the big one to the left is the actual shifter cable i believe(dont mess with this). the smaller one to the right is the cable that links to the key switch. i took a flat head screwdriver and pryed it off its metal pivot. once this cable this cable is pushed all the way forward into its sleeve it makes my key switch slide with ease. since to me this cable is pointless, i am going to leave it disconnected and just tie it to the side out of the way of the shifter. for some these joints just might need some brake cleaner spayed on them to clean the pivots. mine were really greasy so i cleaned them anyways. hope this helps most of you. and by the way after my cable was disconnected, my steering wheel still locks after the key is in the lock position.

Thanks, that's good to know.

you know this just strated to do this on my jeep today. but iv always had to play with all my cars shifters to get there keys out. thats funny. can you take the key out with the car on? or is this mod just for when the the key is going from on to off? It sounds like it is just for when you turn the key.

he shouldn't be able to take out the key while running, unless his XJ is like my MJ and has a horrible worn key cylinder. I can start my truck with a pocketknife.
Anyway, the cable simply releases the key when the shifter is in P. Now he can stop the XJ, turn it off and leave it in D if he forgets. It's a safety thing.