Unbelievable part problem

[Gary Allan]

I find this really hard to believe. I mean ..REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE!!

Here is the part I need.

That's how it sits ..in between the key cylinder and the actual electrical ignition switch. It's the steering wheel lock and transmission between the key cylinder and the electrical switch.

YOU HAVE TO BUY THE WHOLE COLUMN TO GET THAT PART. $497 list $327 net.

The white metal cam that turns the electrical switch broke.

You have got be be kidding me.

 

[Gary Allan]

Oh ..yeah. This is on my 02 Wrangler ..and the parts are the same (on either side of it, anyway) for 1997-2002.

 

[Johnny]

Darn. There has to be some place where you can purchase this part, if not by itself at least with the complete switch. But to have to purchase the complete column is nuts.

 

[Chris142]

Great. How many miles are on your Jeep? My 02 just hit 70k.

Around 20K I was driving and felt something hit my right knee. I looked and the keys were gone but I was still driving.

It still locks the column when I turn the jeep off and walk away so I don't worry to much about it. It's actully kind of nice. I can start the thing and lock the doors so that it's nice and toasty in the winter or let the AC run in the summer.

Plus I can listen to the radio with the Jeep off and the door open w/o the stupid beeper going off.

 

[Ray Garlington]

junk yard?

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
There has to be some place where you can purchase this part, if not by itself at least with the complete switch.


Not unless you know something that two dealers don't ..or unless I can find the actual OEM supplier.

Yes, this is nuts.

 

[CivicFan]

Originally Posted By: Ray Garlington
junk yard?

+1

 

[Gary Allan]

I'm looking. I'm probably going to epoxy the thing into the ignition switch just to allow me to drive it.

I mean, in the "worst case" I can leave the ignition (electrical) switch hanging and use a screw driver. The column lock is still intact and my key will still be as secure as it was before. The trans lock won't disengage ..etc..etc.

 

[VeeDubb]

I've picked up OEM parts cheap on Ebay. Got a set of tire pressure sensors for $60 (around $400 retail).

 

[Gary Allan]

That's my first source. There are a few OEM type suppliers that specialize in either new or late model used parts. I've emailed a couple with images.

 

[eljefino]

If you had a flat spot on your dash you could drill a hole and wire one of these up.

Rather like what was on the jeeps in the 70s. Remember when the speedometer gauge was pointed at the driver's lap?

I feel your pain. It's worse when dealers don't keep much inventory. Was once in a scenario where I could get a part for $3.49 tomorrow or $22 today. Was willing to pay the $22 but it was also only available overnight.

 

[Julian]

Here's what I found; check out the follow-up.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Auto-Parts-3319/99-Jeep-Wrangler-Sport.htm

 

[glennc]

When I had a similar problem on my car I decided it would be simpler to convert the ignition switch's functions to a row of toggles with a button for start. It's been that way a long time now and I really like it as I can control the operation of the car's functions independent of the key. It allows me to turn over the engine without enabling the ignition or to play the radio with the key in my pocket, etc. They key still locks the steering, however.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Julian
Here's what I found; check out the follow-up.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Auto-Parts-3319/99-Jeep-Wrangler-Sport.htm


Yep ..same deal.

The application must be a really light duty deal. The problem, in my case, is that there's a plastic interior

You'll see the brown tip of the shaft near the splintered grey metal on the left end. The ignition module (the black box) has the broken plastic missing piece wrapped around its spindle/drive. This must have caused it to be a high friction/higher torque effort to turn.

If I can't find the piece, it's almost more economical to see if some tool and die machinist can run a few of these up.

 

[andyd]

toggle switch for accy and run, starter button/ 10, mebbe 15 $ and a little ingenuity

 

[Gary Allan]

Oh, no biggie on the surgical alternatives. This is a very simple switch setup. This should have been a $15 OEM setup. Nothing on this jeep is too expensive ..relatively speaking. The ignition switch is $15 ..the lock/cylinder mechanism is $70 w/key. The suspension is the same from 97 to beyond the 2002 year and is shared in the front with the XJ's ..etc..etc.

This is just such an odd situation. It's like trashing a whole axle assembly for the lack of one C clip.

 

[ms21043]

Here's a used ignition switch for sale but it looks like that part is included.

 

[oilyriser]

Can you carve a new one out of a piece of aluminium?

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: ms21043
Here's a used ignition switch for sale but it looks like that part is included.




Yep, that's the beast. The thing is, the black box part of it is only $17 from the dealer. Not a bad alternative considering my situation. I've got another new/used parts guy that says he has one. I'll see what he's getting for it.

That's the cost of a new lock/key assembly. Again, not bad considering the alternative.


Quote:
Can you carve a new one out of a piece of aluminium?


It's a "cam" like casting (lobes/tabs) It's not just a cylindrical piece. It would probably be something that a good machinist could tool up for some ridiculously high fee ..but it too would probably be cheaper than buying the column.

 

[eljefino]

This situation reared it's head on saturn s-car shifter cables. A little bushing on the end tends to break and one needs to blow $200 on the cables.

A machinist invented a $30 solution. Sells them on ebay. (!)

Also it was discovered a toyota windshield wiper bushing fits.

With all the power of the internet, and the aftermarket support for jeeps, a cheap solution will be invented at some point.

Too bad you're an "early adopter" of this failure. By the time a used car falls in my price range the fixes are in.