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Steering Wheel & Steering Column: Removal & Installation Jeep Cherokee III

Steering Column 14 illustrations ~1458 words

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

WARNINGTo avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and follow all SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Deactivate air bag system before performing any repairs. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . For additional information on air bag systems, see AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT.
CAUTIONWhen battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.

Removal (Except 2000 Grand Cherokee)

  1. Disconnect negative battery cable. If equipped with A/T, place shift lever into Park. Turn ignition switch to ON position. (Scheme 1) Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Using a small punch through access hole, press release tab on key cylinder. (Scheme 2)and (Scheme 3). Remove key cylinder from steering column.
  2. Unplug harness connectors from ignition switch. Using tamper-proof torx bit, remove ignition switch mounting screw. (Scheme 4) Using a small screwdriver, push on lock tab and remove switch from steering column. (Scheme 5)

Installation (Except 2000 Grand Cherokee)

  1. Ensure shift lever is in Park. Turn ignition switch to ON position. (Scheme 1) Position switch on column until it snaps into position. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-99220-S02307421792001062900000).
  2. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all fasteners to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-99220-S02307421792001062900000). See steps 4 - 6 of PARK-LOCK CABLE under ADJUSTMENTS. Adjust if necessary. Check electrical operation of switch.

Removal (2000 Grand Cherokee)

  1. Disconnect negative battery cable. If equipped with A/T, place shift lever into Park. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. (Scheme 1) Remove upper and lower steering column covers, and upper fixed column shroud. Press release pin on key cylinder. (Scheme 6) Remove key cylinder from steering column.
  2. Remove SKIM (Sentry Key Immobilizer Module), if necessary. Unplug harness connectors from ignition switch. Use tamper-proof torx bit to remove ignition switch mounting screw. (Scheme 7) To remove key cylinder, use needle-nose pliers to squeeze both switch lock tabs, and remove switch from steering column. (Scheme 8) DO NOT rotate lock cylinder when ignition switch during or after removal.

Installation (Grand Cherokee)

  1. Ensure shifter is in Park. Turn key to RUN position. For 2000 models, align retaining pin with its slot, and install key cylinder into housing until retaining pin engages. For 2001 modesl, press key cylinder into column until it snaps into position. Turn key to OFF or LOCK. Ensure key cylinder cannot be pulled from housing.
  2. Install ignition switch into opening on steering column housing until lock tabs are engaged. For 2000 models, if switch will not fit into housing, DO NOT force it. Remove switch from housing and rotate key cylinder (slightly) for alignment. For both Grand Cherokee models, tighten mounting screw to proper torque specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-99220-S02307421792001062900000) .
  3. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all fasteners to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-99220-S02307421792001062900000) . Shifter should lock in Park when key is in LOCK position. Shifter should unlock when key is turned to ON position. With engine running, shifter should not move from Park until brake is applied. Check for proper operation of ignition switch in ACCESSORY, LOCK, OFF, RUN, and START positions. See steps 4 - 6 of PARK-LOCK CABLE section under ADJUSTMENTS. Adjust if necessary. Check electrical operation of switch.

Scheme 1

Scheme 1
Scheme 1

Scheme 2

Scheme 2
Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Scheme 3
Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Scheme 4
Scheme 4

Scheme 5

Scheme 5
Scheme 5

Scheme 6

Scheme 6
Scheme 6

Scheme 7

Scheme 7
Scheme 7

Scheme 8

Scheme 8
Scheme 8

Removal & Installation (Cherokee & Wrangler)

  1. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. Remove knee blocker from instrument panel. If vehicle is equipped with optional tilt column, lower tilt column to lowest position. If vehicle is equipped with standard non-tilt column, loosen upper steering column mounting nuts.
  2. Remove upper and lower shroud halves from steering column. Remove upper and lower screws securing multifunction switch water shield to steering column. (Scheme 9) Carefully pull water shield and bracket far enough from steering column to clear boss below multifunction switch lever.
  3. Lift shield, bracket and multifunction switch away from steering column to allow access to switch wire connectors. Move tilt column upward (if equipped) to ease multifunction switch removal. Unplug wire harness connectors from multifunction switch. (Scheme 10) Remove multifunction switch and shield as an assembly.
  4. To install reverse removal procedure. Tighten screws to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-99220-S02307421792001062900000).

Scheme 9

Scheme 9
Scheme 9

Scheme 10

Scheme 10
Scheme 10

Removal & Installation (Grand Cherokee)

Note. Multifunction switch is removed with clockspring as assembly.

  1. Position front wheels straight ahead. Disconnect negative battery cable. Disable air bag. See «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(ref-99220-S11268870032001062900000).
  2. Remove lower tilting steering column shroud. Disconnect multifunction switch connector from receptacle. (Scheme 11)and (Scheme 12). Remove multifunction switch. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten screws to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-99220-S02307421792001062900000).

Scheme 11

Scheme 11
Scheme 11

Scheme 12

Scheme 12
Scheme 12
  1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove lower steering column cover and shroud. Remove floor console and related trim. Pull carpet back for access to gear selector lever bellcrank.
  2. Remove tie strap from park-lock cable, near solenoid closest to steering column. Disengage wire connector from solenoid. With ignition removed or in unlocked position, disengage lock tab holding park-lock cable end to steering column.
  3. Disconnect park-lock cable eyelet from bellcrank. Disconnect and remove park-lock cable from shift bracket. see scheme 3see scheme 4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Before completing installation, check park-lock cable adjustment to ensure proper operation. See «PARK-LOCK CABLE»(ref-99220-S22522937942001062900000) under ADJUSTMENTS.
  1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Lower steering column. Disconnect park-lock cable solenoid connector. With ignition switch in RUN position, depress park-lock cable locking tab on top of cable connector at steering column, and pull park-cable straight out.
  2. Disengage wire connector at solenoid on cable. Remove park-lock cable from steering column. Remove floor console and related trim.
  3. Disconnect park-lock cable from park-lock shift lever, and remove cable from shifter assembly. Release park-lock cable from any remaining clips, and remove cable from vehicle. To install, reverse removal procedure. Before completing installation, check park-lock cable adjustment to ensure proper operation. See «PARK-LOCK CABLE»(ref-99220-S22522937942001062900000) under ADJUSTMENTS.

Removal (Cherokee & Wrangler)

  1. Position front wheels in straight-ahead position. Disconnect and isolate negative ground cable from battery. Disable and remove airbag. See «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(ref-99220-S11268870032001062900000) . If equipped with cruise control, disconnect clock spring harness from cruise switch harness on steering wheel. Remove wheel with puller. Remove upper and lower steering column shrouds. See «STEERING WHEEL, HORN PAD & CLOCKSPRING»(ref-99220-S35643673232001062900000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
  2. Remove lower instrument panel/knee blocker. Turn ignition switch to ON position, and remove cylinder by pressing release through lower shroud access hole. Remove steering coupler bolt and column mounting nuts, then lower column off mounting stud.
  3. Disconnect and remove wiring harness from column. If vehicle is equipped with A/T, remove shifter interlock cable. Remove column. Remove nut and bolt from upper column mounting bracket on non-tilt column. Remove bracket from column and note mounting location and orientation of bracket.
  4. Remove clockspring, switches, SKIM (if equipped) and ignition key cylinder. See «STEERING WHEEL, HORN PAD & CLOCKSPRING»(ref-99220-S35643673232001062900000) and «MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH»(ref-99220-S14845776632001062900000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.

Removal (Grand Cherokee)

  1. Position front wheels in straight-ahead position. Disconnect and isolate negative ground cable from battery. Disable and remove airbag. See «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(ref-99220-S35643673232001062900000) . Remove steering wheel with puller. Remove upper and lower steering column shrouds. See «STEERING WHEEL, HORN PAD & CLOCKSPRING»(ref-99220-S35643673232001062900000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
  2. Remove cluster bezel. Remove knee blocker cover. Remove multifunction switch and clock spring off column as assembly. Turn ignition key to ON position, then release and remove shifter interlock cable from ignition lock cylinder housing.
  3. Remove column coupler bolt and slide coupler off column shaft. Remove column mounting nuts and braces. Remove column from vehicle.
  4. Remove clockspring, switches, SKIM (if equipped) and ignition key cylinder. See «STEERING WHEEL, HORN PAD & CLOCKSPRING»(ref-99220-S35643673232001062900000) and «MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH»(ref-99220-S14845776632001062900000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.

Installation (All Models)

Align and install steering column to coupler. DO NOT apply force to top of steering column. If necessary, center clockspring. See CLOCKSPRING CENTERING under ADJUSTMENTS. Reconnect all wiring harnesses, ensuring proper routing to avoid pinching. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

  1. Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Lock steering wheel. Disable air bag. See «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(ref-99220-S11268870032001062900000). Remove screws securing air bag module to steering wheel. Pull air bag module away from steering wheel to unplug wire harness connections on back of module. Remove air bag module.
  2. Disconnect wire harness connectors from steering wheel. Remove steering wheel. Remove steering column covers and shrouds. Disconnect instrument panel wire connectors. Using window in multifunction switch shield, pry plastic latches on clockspring to release from steering column housing. NOTE: If clockspring plastic latches are broken, ensure broken pieces are removed from steering column upper housing.
  3. Remove clockspring. If clockspring is to be reused, maintain centering by inserting a rigid wire through index hole to lock clockspring rotor to clockspring case. see scheme 1for index hole location.
  4. Reverse removal procedures for installation. Ensure clockspring is positioned properly in relation to steering wheel. See «CLOCKSPRING CENTERING»(ref-99220-S27974146182001062900000) under ADJUSTMENTS. DO NOT connect negative battery cable at this time. See «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(ref-99220-S11268870032001062900000).

Note. For removal and installation procedures (Scheme 13)and (Scheme 14). Figures referenced in the removal and installation procedures are contained in the illustrations.

Scheme 13

Scheme 13: Removal & Installation (Grand Cherokee)
Scheme 13: Removal & Installation (Grand Cherokee)

Scheme 14

Scheme 14
Scheme 14

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