So just as a help to others, for anyone that has a TJ or any other 97-07 chrysler,jeep,dodge vehicle. If you get somewhere and it won't even try to start it may be the key actuator assembly. With mine the key going to start didnt feel right, after screwing with it a ton the key wouldn't even cut the radio like it does when it trys to start.
Basically the end of the rod that connects the key assembly to the ignition switch breaks off as show in the photos below. Once that happens the connections that need to be made are not anymore and the jeep wont run. Even with the jeep acting like the ignition was on it still was not. We had tried pulling the starter relay and manually activated the starter with some scrap wire. Even then the jeep didn't run.
The dealerships supposedly dont carry the part, says it doesn't exist and will try to sell you a new a whole new steering column. Or so said the forums. However the part is made by dorman and is available on amazon or in a bunch of the auto parts stores. This is the part, I replaced the ignition switch at the same time since it was all apart anyways. Cost 53 bucks shipped. You will need a t10 security bit (has the hole drilled in the middle) to remove the ignition components. If you search for it dorman also makes a nice video that shows how to disassemble and replace the parts.
https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-45278-924-704.aspxPictures of broken ignition switch actuator. Broken tip is circled.
If you really are stuck some where building a little jumper is an option. The key will still need to be in the ignition, that way the steering is unlocked and the sentry key reader still can read it so the immobilizer doesnt kick on and lock everything up and stops the jeep from running. I dont know how many times the computer will let you try to start the vehicle without the key being read (that little no key symbol on the dash should go off when it does read it) it can lock you out then you will have to go through the dealership to get everything unlocked and I'm sure that's not cheap or easy.
The bare min to run the jeep as I found for an 04 TJ you need to have +12v supplied to the bright blue wire in the middle, the back with green stripe, and the back with orange stripe. I had flat blades in all of these, then an additional one that I could plug and unplug to the thick red wire. The yellow wire is the starter relay circuit so you will need to power that manually and then release once the jeep starts. I didnt have windshield wipers or 12v plugs heading home but the airbag light was off, and I had turn signals, and the HVAC system worked and it got me home with no codes or issues. If you happen to have the security bit on you you need you should be able to pull all the pieces off and use a flat head to turn the ignition switch separately than the key, the key will still need to be where it belongs to keep the steering wheel lock off and the sentry key immobilizer deactivated.
My wires looked like this below.
With the jumpers.
I'm not responsible if you fry/screw up your jeep or other vehicle doing this but it worked for me. And figured if one of yall gets stranded might be nice to have this. The repair didnt take long at all as long as you had the t10 torqx security bit and didnt try to lose the little springs.