Need help tightening the tilt on my 1989 jeep cherokee steering

danger big time, get that fixed now.
or DIY,
defeat air bags (FSM steps ) (if you have em.)
remover cover from center of steering, (air bag, rules)
and tighten that big nut there to factory spec. torque.

Here is a link to free wiring diagrams.

Not very likely the whole vehicle would need to be rewired. But you'd pretty much have to strip down the steering column to find everything and to check the tilt apparatus for worn parts. I would check the price of a steering column for your Jeep from a salvage yard and then decide how to go- at full steam ahead. Good luck, Chris.

Will it kill or cut off the motor, if you turn the wheel left/right siting still or is it only while your moving?

Check the ground I think there are two grounding straps on your motor make sure they good un bolt them and clean real well.

Also, I quote additional tips from others Jeep owners...
"Its finally fixed!! The problem i had with my jeep cutting off when i turned right was... the steering column... yeah never would have guessed... buddy up at nissan said chevys had a problem with it and i probly did to... just enough torque on the column turning right for my little ignition rod to pull away and turn it off... started my jeep... pulled hard on the steering wheels and WAM!! it cut off... I jsut thought my tilt was broke but he says theres bolts in the that come loose and need to be tightened... tilt and cutting off with be fixed!"

test it and tell us news.

There is a u-joint inside the steering column if you have tilt wheel. Which I don't think that I have ever seen a steering column get loose if there is not tilt wheel. If there is not tilt wheel then there are two bolts that hold the steering column up against the bottom side of the dash. You will just need to tighten these two bolts. If you do have tilt wheel, then it is going to require taking the steering column out and replacing the u-joint in the steering column.

Click of the following direct, Free Link. It has several Serpentine Diagrams, including the one for your 1989 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L In-Line 6-Cylinders based upon your Engine Options (AC/No AC, Power Steering/No Power Steering, etc.). The Link Page ALSO has the 2.5L In-Line 4-Cylinder Serpentine Belt Diagrams with their various engine options.

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1989/make/jeep/model/cherokee/1989_jeep_cherokee_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

I'm sure there are bolts holding the steering column. This
can be found under the dashboard. Just tighten it up to
correct the problem.

If you intend to keep the vehicle long term, I would suggest you invest in a Haynes Manual, That is worth its weight in gold, for this and any other project..
Regards,DT

if it was me I would go to a salvage yard and get another steering column drop it off at a lock with your key from the old one so they can match that key to the other ignition switch

I've had a loose steering wheel/column on my Chevy S10 a few times, and each time I had to take off the steering wheel and take out some of the guts to get to the loose bolts, they were still hard to reach and i could really only tighten one really good, if you take pics as you go you won't forget where each thing goes :)