2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport from North America - Comments

I have a lovely 2000 Grand Cherokee Laredo. I have the stinking ignition problem. Also my lovely advice giving fiance locked the wheel. Somebody help with this problem everyone in Virginia Beach is trying to rob me. We even asked a locksmith to do it on the side cause we just moved here and our check book is tight. He wouldn't even help out. Any solutions email me smgarvey@gmail.com.

I've also had the problem with the ignition lock. It's fairly easy to get the car moving again with a few tools. by taking off the cover that surrounds the steering column you expose a black and white box on the left, a aluminum plate in the middle and the ignition lock on the right. With a T10 torx security (has hole in the end) bit, you can remove the silver plate which disengages the lock on the gear selector. When removing the silver plate a spring and metal lug may go flying. This is what actually locks the gear selector in place. I'm leaving it out. That will allow me to put the car in neutral next time this happens. The black box comes loose after removing torx screws and a clip. This black box has wires attached and a hole which accommodates a flat head screwdriver. Use the screwdriver just like a key and you're on your way. A little unsightly and annoying, but you can get going again until the lock is fixed. The lock requires a hammer and some persuasion. With the key in the ignition, hit the end of the key and turn at the same time. If it doesn't work, hit it harder. This will allow the key to turn. You can try this before you take everything apart and maybe it will solve the problem for now. You will need to do this in order to get the lock out though. With the cover off of the steering column you can see a button on the bottom of the lock. Once the key is turned push this button in and the lock should come right out. I've taken mine to a locksmith for repair. Just waiting to get a call back. Hopefully it's repaired. A new lock cylinder from the dealership is about $115. It's worth the money to take it apart yourself. I hope this helps.

I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport has around 165,000 miles after having it for about 5 months. I love it.

Only thing is the 4X4 jerks when I'm turning. Also when going up a mountain I have poor speed control at speeds around 55mph, but have great speed control when going up a steep hill at 30 mph.

And the engine doesn't ideal smoothly; it jumps from about 800 rpms to 1000 rpms, then back down. Any ideas? Thanks.

Could be your idle "brain" located under the hood by the throttle body. A lot of them go bad around 80K (like mine)

Add me to the list of all of those with the locked ignition problem. Of course the problem does not happen until 10:00 at night when my wife is 15 miles from home and its 7 degrees outside. I will try all the different suggestions and report back later. Thanks to all of you who took the time to post your solutions. Hopefully it will work.

Matt, Wisconsin.

Jeep Cherokee 200 Sport 4x4 /4 door/ 180k Miles

I have some weird ignition problems. I would turn the key and nothing silence... when I switch from PARK to NEUTRAL... I can start the car... Any ideas?

One more.. my driver seat is broken as well... it happened on the road two days ago... is this something I can fix myself? or do I have to go to a dealer?... Does anyone know how to take out the FRONT DRIVE SEAT?

Thanks

Mike

Chicago, Il.

My son has a 2000 Jeep Cherokee with the same complaint: key won't turn in the ignition. I used the rubber mallet tapping technique to get the car started (took about 10 min). The Chrysler dealer was useless - all the mechanics were at lunch and I was afraid to turn off the ignition. Then I drove to the locksmith and they removed the lock, repaired it and gave me a new key. Total cost $40. Many, many thanks to you all.

Heidi

Had ignition key problem this morning on 2001 Cherokee Ann. Edition. Hammer trick got it going initially and now I have lubricated inside the barrel using the spray can's straw and worked the key for about 20 minutes, spraying more lubricant in every 5 minutes, all without removing the barrel. Seems to be OK now (touch wood). Thanks for the advice to everyone who's posted as I would have been stuck without it.

Neil.

First to introduce myself: I'm a mechanic. I own a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport with 171,000 miles on it.

Now to answer some of your questions:

"Quote.

26th Nov 2007, 19:25.

Hello, for my 17th birthday I bought myself the SUV of my dreams a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4 dr auto power everything. LOVE THIS CAR TO DEATH!! I have three major problems.

1) The back hatch does not open all the time, sometimes I have to push it in before opening it.

2) My gauges (RPM and MPH) sometimes decide to go out and the lights on the dash light up as if I just started it (the car still runs when this happens and eventually comes back on).

3) I have the SHAKE!!! It started out as bent rims, so I bought $400.00 rims for it (taking away the shake... temporarily). after about a month this scary shake is back only when I drive between 50 and 60MPH.

Tomorrow after school I'm taking it to the "boy's" and I am having them take a look at it. Especially the Track Bar and the Steering stabilizer. I hope this works, I don't want to sell my "truck"."

Answers

1. The rear hatch latch uses a rod and a small metal clip to release. Over time this needs to be readjusted. You have to remove the interior plastic and put tension back in to the rod or just continue to push in on the hatch while pulling on the handle to open it.

2.This is caused by a bad connection in the gauge wiring harness or a bad ground in the gauge cluster.

3. The shake and this will answer a lot of other peoples questions as well. There is a list of things that you need to check and maintain. The list is as follows in no particular order: front wheel hub assembly, steering staybilizer, front suspension parts, ALL front end bushings including but not limited to front sway bar, upper and lower control arms, front track bar, rims and tires (try a different brand than factory), front end alignment.

And I cannot stress this enough everyone that has been through the motions with the dealer on the front end vibration and gotten nowhere stop going to the dealer and find a reputable shop in your area that specializes in 4 wheel drive and off road vehicles. The Jeep brand was designed to go off road and has a huge following in the off road community and has dealt with these issues and many others for years.

Quote

"15th Feb 2008, 17:05.

I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport has around 165,000 miles after having it for about 5 months. I love it.

Only thing is the 4X4 jerks when I'm turning. Also when going up a mountain I have poor speed control at speeds around 55mph, but have great speed control when going up a steep hill at 30 mph.

And the engine doesn't ideal smoothly; it jumps from about 800 rpms to 1000 rpms, then back down. Any ideas? Thanks.

Your 4wheel drive system is what is called a part-time unit. The definition of this is that the unit is meant to only be used either during driving in slippery conditions. ie. snow, ice, mud. or at slow speeds while off road. If you drive in 4 wheel drive for extended periods of time on dry surfaces you can cause severe damage to your vehicles drive train.

And my final answer is for the person that is having trouble with the rear tires spinning from a stop. Step on the gas lighter. The Jeep has a very light rear end. Or get a limited slip rear end.

If anyone has any questions that I did not cover or you did not understand please feel free to e mail me www.jesse24spd@yahoo.com.

I also had a problem with my 1998 Jeep ignition lock (key would not turn in cylinder). I followed the advice posted Feb 4, 2008. Inserted key, slight tap of the hammer (I put a thin piece of wood in between hammer and key), and viola! No need to call AAA. THANK YOU!

OK, The interior Lights...

The rear interior light on 200 Cherokee Sport (in the back by the hatch) The lamp itself is a push switch.. Push up on it for on, again for off.. Can't tell you how many times I've hit this thing loading/unloading..

Front end shakes... After 50 - 60K need new steering stab AND be sure to lube the front end components EVERY TIME YOU CHANGE THE OIL!! Your under their already... Unlike most newer vehicles, the Cherokee has Conventional steering and all the grease fitting are accessible..

Also be sure to rotate your tires AT LEAST every 12k (I do mine @ 6k) AND get them rebalanced when you do.. I JUST put on new tire (replacing the ones from the factory) @ 80k...

New Belts and Hoses every 3 yrs whether it looks like it needs 'em or not.

My 2000 XJ has 90k miles, original steering components (except for shocks and steering stab), No shakes shimmies or squeaks..

2003 Grand Cherokee Driver in the UK - another who has experienced the dreaded 'ignition key wont turn problem'. Will not bore with details except to say that the recovery driver also commented on how common this problem is. My local Jeep dealer diagnosed a new cylinder required and duly charged me £175 - $350 for the privilige of a fixing quite clearly, a design fault !!!

Dealer happily informed me that the problem has been addressed on later Jeep models - whoop di do ! As if this makes me feel better when paying out $350 !!

When will Chrysler/Jeep admit problem and address this properly. I will be writing to Jeep HO in Uk to complain and would encourage all others affected to do the same .

Power to the People !!

2000 Jeep Cherokee sport 105,000 miles.

Same shakes at 55mph.. I have gotten used to them. But today my A/C went out. Doesn't blow cold. Mechanic said something about a "relay". Husband tried to change it and it stayed on for about 30 seconds. Mechanic also said something about fan. I just want to pinpoint the problem before wasting money on useless fixes. Loved reading others problems and fixes! Nice to know I am not alone.

Had same key ignition lock problem with 2001 Grand Cherokee. For about 3 hours of key jiggling and wheel turning, no dice. The wheels were turned slightly to the left when ignition was turned off. Local locksmith wanted to charge me 60$ just for coming out. So before I took the L, I read the post about hitting the key with a rubber mallet a few times... problem solved.

OMG! What a post! I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Laredo. My son brought the Jeep back from college with the same ignition/key locking problem. I just spent 2.5 hours turning and jiggling and all I got was a sore finger. I came home read this problem thread grabbed my rubber mallet and headed back to the Jeep and BAM sweet music! Thank you, thank you, thank you!