Does 4wd have anything to do in allowing you to remove the key from the ignition? Im going to get flamed here but hey thats the way it goes. Its been since last winter since 4wd has been engaged...well yesterday i decide to engage it, the indicator light doesnt come on but i can hear the solenoid click. Today i go to the gym, i put her in park, shut the truck off and the key only goes as far as accessories. If I restart the truck put her in drive and back into park then engage and disengage 4wd shes back to normal. Then when getting the mail she does it again so i had to repeat the process. What gives, any thoughts other than taking her out once in awhile to get 4wd working, hehe. Thanks.

Before doing my daily stuff yesterday i did disconnect the battery and cleaned the terminals to get ready for winter.

 

you should pop it over into 4WD every now and then and keep everything lubed up.....
both high and low gear...
as far as it keeping your keys that one is beynd me, my '84 in 4WD still lets me take my keys out...

Course I can take them out while the truck is running...so, Im probably not much help. lol.

 

Thanks anyway...i do engage it once in awhile but this is the first time ive gone this long.

 

If it will only turn to acc., then wouldn't it be the steering wheel lock? If it will turn but not crank it could be the transmission safety switch somehow (I had one go bad on my '88 cherokee and that sounds like what may be happening to you) - Other than that, someone with vastly more knowledge will have to help out. Good luck!

 

Thanks...the truck runs its when i shut it off but when mess with the gear lever and 4wd button im able to remove the key like normal.

 

I too had the same switch go out, 90 Heep Cherokee, and it sounds like this too is the safety switch. Next time, don't do anything with the 4wd, just pull the shift lever to neutral and see if the key will come out. That is what I did in my Heep. Also, the 4wd lever will not have anything to do with weather or not you can take the key out of the ignition. Hope this helps.

 

yeah i had a similiar problem at the car wash. i guess when you stop your truck if you try and turnt he wheel while the car is off it will click and then you wont be able to start it. just turn the wheel again and jiggle lol.

i dunno if that is it or not, but i wanna help if i can

 

Kindof a shot in the dark, but the next time it does it, try making sure your shift lever is pushed all the way forward in park. Once in a while, mine won't fully engage, and won't let me take the key out, until I lightly push it all the way forward. Might be your problem...

Other than that...,

 

Well she works...i did alittle parking lot wheelin, 4hi and low works but no indication light came on...took her for a spin on a straight road and after 1 mile the indicator light came on...now everytime i engage 4wd the light comes on and off like it should....oh yea when i put her in park and shut her off the key comes out. All is good now, thanks for the assistance.