Just getting back into fourwheeling after taking a break. Still have my older jeep with a fiberglass body and eight inches of lift, havn't run it in about eight years. Still start it on occasion, a 1972 cj-5. Just picked up a 1988 wrangler from the neighbor, a guy saw it in his barn and offered him a grand, I said I would give him a grand and now I'm the owner. It has the factory fiberglass hard top, metal full doors, and soft top, six cyclinder with 96,000 miles and a five speed manual. Good shape, been stored inside. Needs the drivers window fixed won't go up and the vent window put back in. Now the hard part, can't get the ignition key to turn, need to get into it more but what are your opinions on repair, bad ignition key switch? Thanks Gordie

Gordie Welcome! Where are you lacated?
As for the key... My first guess is you have the WRONG KEY! I see no reason for the key to go away when stored in the dry..
You can get a pressure can of lock lube and try that. DO NOT use wd40.
Stupid question I know..but have you shook the wheel back and forth while attempting to turn the key?
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

My old Cherokee had the stuck key problem after sitting for a couple years.
Turned out the linkage bar from the ignition that travels down the underside of the steering column got rusty and stuck in place.

Had to remove the lower part of the dash to get under there and lube it up but it finally let go and has worked fine ever since.

82shortbox,
Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you got a really nice barn find for a grand. Hard doors and top? I'm jealous. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Good luck with your new project. There are alot of guys here with alot of knowledge, just post when you have a question.
Corona <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

That is why he parked it, couldn't get the key to turn. Going down there this weekend to see if I can figure it out. Probably pull the door and take it to our heated shop to fix the window and vent, nice when the shop is only five miles from home. I'll try to get some before and after pictures, its sat for a couple years. Has quite a bit of barn dust on it since he has sheep and horses in the other end of the barn.He also has two MG's in the barn and two in his garage, "MG MIGETS". Going to go sleep on a World War II Submarine on Saturday,with Cub Scouts,have to leave by 3 so it will give me some time to tinker with it. Gordie

Well, finally got the starter problem fixed!!! Yahoo, ended up being the ignition module. That was backfeeding the ignition relay causing the starter to stay on with key off. Learned alot about the ignition and also the Jeep. Ended up with a spare ignition coil, found out you can't check them like the old ones. Ended up replacing the ignition switch, and the start relay which looked pretty corroded and probably needed changed anyway. The ignition module solved the problem, it also came with a lifetime warranty. Spent 142 bucks but learned alot, still cheaper then taking it to the dealer.

SEE!!! Never too old to learn!! I never heard of the sparkbox doing what you describe.. I wonder if you just might be the first with that problem? ANyway many thanks for getting back to us.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />