Problems with ignition switch actuator a year after replacing it? 2007 Jeep KJ

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Artimus

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Last year I at least got some warning signs of failure with having to hassle it to working (Hitting it with a mallet). This time however
I tried everything from re-positioning the steering column, shifting gears, hitting the ignition switch with a mallet and nothing.

Could it be the ignition switch actuator again? Or is it another thing like the ignition switch board?


I never did replace the ignition switch board the first time because the Jeep would turn on after replacing the ignition switch actuator.


The cylinder seems to be in decent shape, key would turn in any directions like normal so I don't suspect that to be the culprit.


I'm open to any suggestions
 

Billwill

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Have you tried putting it in Neutral instead of Park?

You probably will need to get to the actuator assembly location again....with the ignition switch removed off the end of the actuator pin turn the ignition switch with a small flat screwdriver.
If the switch works OK and does not have too much play in it and the actuator pin has not broken off then maybe you have to rotate the ignition switch back slightly with respect to the actuator pin. It may be that the ignition switch is not rotating as far as it needs to!

I have seen posts of owners having to rotate the switch a bit by elongating the screw hole where the switch is held onto the steering column with the Security Torx screw.
I had to this with my manual Export CRD but rotate it in the opposite direction as the engine would turn over with ignition ON but not in the Start position as soon as I depressed the clutch to activate the clutch interlock switch!
 

Artimus

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Thank you, Billwill !

It never crossed my mine to look inside the ignition switch to see if there was a switch of sorts. I will use a small flat screwdriver to probe around it and see if it will turn on this way.

I might just replace both the switch and actuator switch if they're being faulty.
 

RenKJ

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Thank you, Billwill !

It never crossed my mine to look inside the ignition switch to see if there was a switch of sorts. I will use a small flat screwdriver to probe around it and see if it will turn on this way.

I might just replace both the switch and actuator switch if they're being faulty.

I just went through actuator replacement, do you get some relays triggering when you try to turn over but no crank at engine? what was the make of the replacement actuator? I used dorman and the metal part was way thicker than OEM, I'd be suprised if yours broke again unless maybe the ignition switch becomes hard to turn when it's failing
 

Artimus

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I just went through actuator replacement, do you get some relays triggering when you try to turn over but no crank at engine? what was the make of the replacement actuator? I used dorman and the metal part was way thicker than OEM, I'd be suprised if yours broke again unless maybe the ignition switch becomes hard to turn when it's failing


Yes, I could get all the electrical stuff (relay triggering) working when turning over the key, but there would be no crank at the engine.

I used the doorman actuator replacement and the ignition cylinder never became hard to turn.

last night when I took the ignition actuator out of the ignition switch, you could tell it was hit with the mallet as it was in there and took a bit of pressure to remove it.
 

RenKJ

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Yes, I could get all the electrical stuff (relay triggering) working when turning over the key, but there would be no crank at the engine.

I used the doorman actuator replacement and the ignition cylinder never became hard to turn.

last night when I took the ignition actuator out of the ignition switch, you could tell it was hit with the mallet as it was in there and took a bit of pressure to remove it.

was the actuator broken?
 

Artimus

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No the actuator is not broken.

I found out the bottom piece that holds the spring (has a yellow button) holds a little square piece that goes in. I lost that piece and now I'm wondering if that's preventing the start-up!

I don't even know the name of that piece to try to locate the part #




edit* Strike that, found the metal square piece that goes in. I couldn't shift after inserting the small metal square so now I'm starting from scratch.
 
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Artimus

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Had a mechanic check the ignition system and he had to replace the upper steering metal piece that holds the actuator pin and ignition switch cylinder as there was something faulty with it. Charged me $225+$100 in parts.


Everything turns on perfectly like normal but now the ESP/BAS lights are on while driving

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According to this , http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f196/esp-bas-lights-help-45921/

It might be a wheel alignment issue or a speed sensor wire.

One of my rear tires has been leaking air, so that might also cause some issues with the alignment going off.
 

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