This is a very common problem in Jeep Grand Cherokee 2000 model,
ignitiiton key won't turn esp. during cold winter days also the CD
cartridge in extreme cold or hot weather. I did bring up this issue
with Chrysler and asked them to do a recall they think its not a major
problem and there is no need to do a recall, they did initially offered
to look into my jeep, now they say its not under warranty anymore. I
tried a different approach by threating them that I will take the story
to media like 60 minutes (CBS).

The temporary solution which works everytime for me is, I have a metal
hammer very small weighs less that 5 ounces came with a complimentary
tool kit with some purchases during father's day sale. I keep this
hammer permanently in the glove compartment, its worth a million $$$
now ;).

If not a very small hammer use something very light, try tapping on the
key, very gently and lightly while trying to turn the key. This trick
worked for me everytime. I got this solution from the net. Be careful,
do not hit the key hard as you don't want the key to break and stay
stuck in the ignition lock cylinder.

Give it a try and see if it helps you.

Good luck



morgan@thedef.org wrote:
> 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic
>
> My ignition switch won't turn. This has been an intermittent problem
> that would be cured with a few jiggles and twists, but now it seems to
> have become a permanent condition.
>
> I mentioned it to a Jeep body shop guy and he said that it was because
> the cold weather caused the grease in the lock to harden. This seemed
> logical at first since the problem seems to occur more during the
> colder months, BUT I just took the cover off of the steering column and
> blasted the lock with a hair dryer for two hours while jiggling and
> twisting the key - no dice.
>
> Any experience with such a problem?
>
> Please help...I'm stuck in my driveway! (fortunately)

 

This is a very common problem in Jeep Grand Cherokee 2000 model,
ignitiiton key won't turn esp. during cold winter days also the CD
cartridge in extreme cold or hot weather. I did bring up this issue
with Chrysler and asked them to do a recall they think its not a major
problem and there is no need to do a recall, they did initially offered
to look into my jeep, now they say its not under warranty anymore. I
tried a different approach by threating them that I will take the story
to media like 60 minutes (CBS).

The temporary solution which works everytime for me is, I have a metal
hammer very small weighs less that 5 ounces came with a complimentary
tool kit with some purchases during father's day sale. I keep this
hammer permanently in the glove compartment, its worth a million $$$
now ;).

If not a very small hammer use something very light, try tapping on the
key, very gently and lightly while trying to turn the key. This trick
worked for me everytime. I got this solution from the net. Be careful,
do not hit the key hard as you don't want the key to break and stay
stuck in the ignition lock cylinder.

Give it a try and see if it helps you.

Good luck



morgan@thedef.org wrote:
> 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic
>
> My ignition switch won't turn. This has been an intermittent problem
> that would be cured with a few jiggles and twists, but now it seems to
> have become a permanent condition.
>
> I mentioned it to a Jeep body shop guy and he said that it was because
> the cold weather caused the grease in the lock to harden. This seemed
> logical at first since the problem seems to occur more during the
> colder months, BUT I just took the cover off of the steering column and
> blasted the lock with a hair dryer for two hours while jiggling and
> twisting the key - no dice.
>
> Any experience with such a problem?
>
> Please help...I'm stuck in my driveway! (fortunately)

 

This is a very common problem in Jeep Grand Cherokee 2000 model,
ignitiiton key won't turn esp. during cold winter days also the CD
cartridge in extreme cold or hot weather. I did bring up this issue
with Chrysler and asked them to do a recall they think its not a major
problem and there is no need to do a recall, they did initially offered
to look into my jeep, now they say its not under warranty anymore. I
tried a different approach by threating them that I will take the story
to media like 60 minutes (CBS).

The temporary solution which works everytime for me is, I have a metal
hammer very small weighs less that 5 ounces came with a complimentary
tool kit with some purchases during father's day sale. I keep this
hammer permanently in the glove compartment, its worth a million $$$
now ;).

If not a very small hammer use something very light, try tapping on the
key, very gently and lightly while trying to turn the key. This trick
worked for me everytime. I got this solution from the net. Be careful,
do not hit the key hard as you don't want the key to break and stay
stuck in the ignition lock cylinder.

Give it a try and see if it helps you.

Good luck



morgan@thedef.org wrote:
> 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic
>
> My ignition switch won't turn. This has been an intermittent problem
> that would be cured with a few jiggles and twists, but now it seems to
> have become a permanent condition.
>
> I mentioned it to a Jeep body shop guy and he said that it was because
> the cold weather caused the grease in the lock to harden. This seemed
> logical at first since the problem seems to occur more during the
> colder months, BUT I just took the cover off of the steering column and
> blasted the lock with a hair dryer for two hours while jiggling and
> twisting the key - no dice.
>
> Any experience with such a problem?
>
> Please help...I'm stuck in my driveway! (fortunately)

 

might be too late but the key cylinders fail all the time on the chrysler
products very same complaint
careful were it goes for repair the column does not have to be replaced
unless they break it and they can pay for it there is a way to get out with
out busting column

morgan@thedef.org wrote:

> 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic
>
> My ignition switch won't turn. This has been an intermittent problem
> that would be cured with a few jiggles and twists, but now it seems to
> have become a permanent condition.
>
> I mentioned it to a Jeep body shop guy and he said that it was because
> the cold weather caused the grease in the lock to harden. This seemed
> logical at first since the problem seems to occur more during the
> colder months, BUT I just took the cover off of the steering column and
> blasted the lock with a hair dryer for two hours while jiggling and
> twisting the key - no dice.
>
> Any experience with such a problem?
>
> Please help...I'm stuck in my driveway! (fortunately)

 

might be too late but the key cylinders fail all the time on the chrysler
products very same complaint
careful were it goes for repair the column does not have to be replaced
unless they break it and they can pay for it there is a way to get out with
out busting column

morgan@thedef.org wrote:

> 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic
>
> My ignition switch won't turn. This has been an intermittent problem
> that would be cured with a few jiggles and twists, but now it seems to
> have become a permanent condition.
>
> I mentioned it to a Jeep body shop guy and he said that it was because
> the cold weather caused the grease in the lock to harden. This seemed
> logical at first since the problem seems to occur more during the
> colder months, BUT I just took the cover off of the steering column and
> blasted the lock with a hair dryer for two hours while jiggling and
> twisting the key - no dice.
>
> Any experience with such a problem?
>
> Please help...I'm stuck in my driveway! (fortunately)

 

might be too late but the key cylinders fail all the time on the chrysler
products very same complaint
careful were it goes for repair the column does not have to be replaced
unless they break it and they can pay for it there is a way to get out with
out busting column

morgan@thedef.org wrote:

> 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic
>
> My ignition switch won't turn. This has been an intermittent problem
> that would be cured with a few jiggles and twists, but now it seems to
> have become a permanent condition.
>
> I mentioned it to a Jeep body shop guy and he said that it was because
> the cold weather caused the grease in the lock to harden. This seemed
> logical at first since the problem seems to occur more during the
> colder months, BUT I just took the cover off of the steering column and
> blasted the lock with a hair dryer for two hours while jiggling and
> twisting the key - no dice.
>
> Any experience with such a problem?
>
> Please help...I'm stuck in my driveway! (fortunately)

 

might be too late but the key cylinders fail all the time on the chrysler
products very same complaint
careful were it goes for repair the column does not have to be replaced
unless they break it and they can pay for it there is a way to get out with
out busting column

morgan@thedef.org wrote:

> 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic
>
> My ignition switch won't turn. This has been an intermittent problem
> that would be cured with a few jiggles and twists, but now it seems to
> have become a permanent condition.
>
> I mentioned it to a Jeep body shop guy and he said that it was because
> the cold weather caused the grease in the lock to harden. This seemed
> logical at first since the problem seems to occur more during the
> colder months, BUT I just took the cover off of the steering column and
> blasted the lock with a hair dryer for two hours while jiggling and
> twisting the key - no dice.
>
> Any experience with such a problem?
>
> Please help...I'm stuck in my driveway! (fortunately)