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Grand Cherokee steering wheel locking up

Yahoo Message Number: 8684
Our '04 grand cherokee will not stay unlocked while being towed. in tight cornering conditions it locks itself in a slightly turned location, which is wearing tires.

Jeep says there's nothing wrong but to be sure it don't happen again, disconnect battery and turn ignition key to "on" (owner's manual says turn to "accessory"). I am about to have this locking mechanism removed but wondered if anyone else is having this happen and if so what did you do to remedy???

Larry 1998 Intrigue-Florida

Re: Grand Cherokee steering wheel locking up

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8685
Larry, you say "Jeep" said..... Did you talk to Chrysler or your dealer? I suggest you take this up directly with Chrysler and remind them how many of us tow Jeeps just because of the ease of hooking up. Somebody is telling you the instructions in the owners manual are wrong, and I don't think Chrysler will take that lightly. Pls keep us all informed. By the way, I've been towing a Grand Cherokee for 3yrs plus and never had the malfuntion you describe.

Walt Rothermel
03Allure30811

Re: Grand Cherokee steering wheel locking up

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8688
From: "lprichard34668" lprichard45@...>
Quote
Our '04 grand cherokee will not stay unlocked while being towed.
in tight cornering conditions it locks itself in a slightly turned > location, which is wearing tires. (snip)
In addition to the good advice you've already received, you might want to try securing the steering wheel with a bungee cord to hold the wheel in a straight-ahead position. This was done years ago to (I think) Chevettes, which had a towing/steering problem, although not the same as yours.

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

(in Key West, FL)

Re: Grand Cherokee steering wheel locking up

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8702
We tow a small Jeep and release the wheel by putting a non-chip key in the ignition set to the unlock position. Then we lock the doors, even though the key won't start the vehicle. Will that work on a Cherokee? Doug Allure 36' 30929

Grand Cherokee steering wheel locking up

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8733
Regarding my post #8684 and reviewing some of your questions let me add: I have been towing 4 down for 10 years with various vehicles and i know how to turn the key and check the wheel to be sure it's not locked. when we start out it isn't locked, but after a few tight turns it locks itself! I must watch the handkerchief constantly.
I discussed this with our dealer not with Chrysler Corp. (yet) my main reason to bring this to the group is to let you know there is a problem w/this vehicle so you would be careful not to let it happen to you; and to see if anyone else has had the same happen to them. since there have not been any replies to my post it must just be my car w/the problem. I will get in touch w/Chrysler and if i don't get a satisfactory reply i'll let you know-then i will have the lock removed.

Larry 1998 Intrigue Florida

Re: Grand Cherokee steering wheel locking up

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8750
From: "lprichard34668" lprichard45@...>
Quote
Regarding my post #8684 and reviewing some of your questions let > me add: I have been towing 4 down for 10 years with various vehicles > and i know how to turn the key and check the wheel to be sure it's > not locked. when we start out it isn't locked, but after a few tight > turns it locks itself!(snip)
I just got a brainstorm! Is the wheel locking up WITH ... or WITHOUT accompanying mysterious turning of the key? I remember that, years ago, some Ford owners had a problem with their keys getting caught in a hole in the rear of the steering wheel, so Ford had a safety recall and inserted a plug into the hole. Could something like this be occurring to you? Or could a swinging/heavy key chain be turning the ignition lock while you're driving, resulting in subsequent lockup?

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

(in Key West, FL)