Idiots Guide to Ignition Wiring?

Hi all,
I am new to this place. I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Sport. It is 4WD, Auto Trans, 4DR, Rolldown windows and lock-yourself doors (if this helps). My ignition swith has gone to the crapper. It will not keep the car's power on after I switch it to start. I have to force the key manually into the on position to run. I would like to resolve this problem by installing a $5.00 push starter I bought. Before I go and tear the thing apart I would like to know what I'm getting into. Any info on this would be greatly aprieciated. Thanks.
727Capt

This is not a difficult install. I would suggest just replacing your ignition tumbler instead though.

You must first ensure that your push button is cabable of taking at least 30 amps first. This is very important, and normally finding a momentary push button that can handle 30A is not easy. If you don't have a button that can handle 30A, you must install a relay.

All the wire colors that I refer to here are running down your steering column from the ignition switch.

You will only be interested in one of the large Red wires (there are two), it doesn't matter which one, and the large yellow wire. Refer to these pictures for wiring diagrams. All of the wires in the diagrams must be added to the Jeep, except for the ones that I have marked Red and Yellow.

Scenario 1: Push button switch can handle 30A (probably not)
Scenario 2: Use relay, energized from push-button switch.

And, you must use all 12 gage wires, except those on either side of the push-button switch in Scenario 2.

well said Exact-Oh

a new tumbler would be muckh easier IMHO

you would still need the key to turn on the acc and ign circuits
if you use a push button start switch,

or use seperate high-current switches or relays,
for the acc, and ign circuits

.....there are several circuits the cylinder turns on at once


12volts red + ignition harness

Starter yellow + ignition harness

Ignition blue + ignition harness

Accessory purple + ignition harness



to get to these wires, you are in the same area as installing a new cylinder

if you choose to wire a switch, be very carefull with theshigh-current wires,
they can cause a major fire

Hey thanks Exact-oh and zolar. I realy appriciate the help.

Thanks Z!

After reading your reply, I guess I really didn't consider if the any of the accesory wires went off during start. If they do, I guess there won't be a major issue, as long as the current draw isn't too much for the constant 12V wires running to the switch.

But again, an ignition switch is usually not an expensive part, and labor is not as involved as adding this switch.

Have you tried a new key, , if your using an old POS worn out key, it won't move the tumblers to the proper place and could cause the ign. switch to bind.

there you are Captian

3 votes for a new tumbler

Now 4 votes to replace the tumbler.

I suppose though, that vehicle uses one key for the doors and ignition, and replacing the tumbler would mean either replacing all the lock tumblers or carrying two keys.

I would probably opt to just carry two keys, being that the vehicle is ten years old.

My 95 jeep did the same thing last month. My contacts melted. I bought a $20 switch. installed my cylinder into it. Replace the fan motor that smoked the switch. went through 3 junk jeeps to find one fan control switch that was not melted too. and now all is well. I'm sure for a small fee a lock smith would repair the tumblers so you can have the same keys for the door and Ignition

I want the diagram presented earlier. I am bit confused with some issue bout ign circuits lately. This link might help you too.

LOL. Sorry I forgot to present the link. I think it was edited earlier but here it is. Here it is. [irrelevant link removed]

1995-96 Jeep Cherokee Alarm, Remote Starter, Keyless Entry Wiring Information
Constant 12V+ Red/White or Red Ignition Switch Harness
Starter Yellow/Blue or Yellow Ignition Switch Harness
Ignition Blue/White or Blue Ignition Switch Harness
Ignition 2 Purple Ignition Switch Harness
Accessory Black/Orange Ignition Switch Harness
Tach Black/Gray Or Black/White (-) At Coil
Neutral Safety Wire Brown/Yellow (-) Switch on Transmission
Brake Switch White Brake Switch
Trunk Release Pink/Black (+) Driver's Kick Panel Rear Body Harness
Trunk Pin n/a Works with Dome Light
Parking Lights Blue/Red Driver's Kick Panel Black Connector
Head Lamp Tan/Black (+) Light Switch
Hood Pin n/a
Factory Disarm Purple/Yellow (-) Driver's Kick Panel or Pin 10 BCM lower left Instrument Panel
Door Trigger Yellow (-) Light under Dash
Door Lock Orange/Purple Driver's Kick Panel Gray Connector
Door Unlock Pink/Purple Positive Trigger
Horn Wire Black/Red (-) Steering Column
Windows Up LF=White, RF=Brown/White, LR=Blue/White, RR=Green/White
Windows Down LF=Light Blue, RF=Purple/White, LR=Red/Black, RR=Gray/Black


you would have to still use the key to make sure everything else get power

like turn the key to the start postion and hit the button only problem is that if your car has factory security it could be set off and car could never start

been there done that
if you buy a factory key switch replacment it will say alot of problems down the road
nothing fancy is power to the switch and then load wire to the starter solenoid remove the factory wire from soleniod wiretie them up so when you want to fix it right you can connect back wires then put key in switch and turn to start position and then push your button to start car

its like have a 2 stage ingnition system

dude.. FRED.. do you realize that this post is 4 years old ?? WTF ??!!

are you post whoring or what ??