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No key required for ignition!?

patduke90

patduke90

Basic User
City
Greensboro
State
NC
Help, New owner here of an 81. I've had it for about a week and I'm starting to fix all of the little things that have gone bad over the years. Number one was the dimmer switch, now I'm at the ignition. As you can tell from the title, No key is required to start this vehicle. Just pull down the little key lock lever and turn away. Do I need a new ignition switch or is it an easier fix than that? Any help would be appreciated.
 
That is a very common problem with the CJ ignition. My '81 Scrambler allows the same since about 1989. Instead of messing with the steering column, I put in a master cut-off switch and I don't have to carry keys. To properly correct the faulty ignition, the guts of the steering column are removed, and the ignition switch is replaced. I haven't done this, and have never completely torn down a column, but I've read a write-up on the required procedure in a thread on this board. Using your query, try the search feature on this site and I'll bet you'll find the thread.
 
Hello:
Did you replace your ignition?
My Jeep is the same and I am a bit nervous about trying to replace it.
 
Replacing an ignition is not that bad. The toughest part IIRC (it was 7 years ago that I did mine as a new owner with nothing more than a Chilton's manual) was removing the steering wheel, (get a free puller rental from Autozone).

This is definitely something you want to do as a new owner. Why? Because it builds the confidence to doing more complex repairs later as you get to know your new toy.
 
go to autozone and rent the wheel puller and a lockplate tool....even being a total noob...should take you no longer than half a day to do. The new lock cylinder should be between 15-30 bucks.
 
steering columns are not hard at all. I've replaced the ignition in 2 of my jeeps and completely rebuilt one. With the right tools it only takes about 30-45 minutes. Its not a big deal at all
 
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