Older models up to the mid-1990s are often strong candidates for hot-wire, even though the majority of newer model automobiles have done much to conceal the wiring and otherwise outfit the steering column with safety measures to prevent it. If you lose your keys and need to start your car again, you should be aware of this. So how can you hotwire your car?
Always refer to the owner’s manual for detailed information regarding the color coding and wires connected to your model when working with wiring, and exercise the utmost caution.
Contents
Steering Column Hot-wiring:
Enter the vehicle
Unless you are the legal owner of the car and can provide proof, never break into a car. If the vehicle has an alarm system, be aware that forceful entry will activate it. Only vehicles manufactured before the mid-1990s can be hot-wired using this approach and most other methods as well.
In order to prevent hot-wiring without being fully conversant with the model’s peculiarities, newer versions come with a variety of locking devices. On a 2002 Honda Civic, attempting this will probably result in alarms going off and the starter locking, rendering the vehicle undrivable.
Check the owner’s manual if you have access to it to see if the steering column and gear selector may be overridden. This approach has the potential to seriously harm the steering column and shifting mechanism.
Take off the steering column’s plastic cover
These are often fastened in place with #2 Phillips-type screws or covert clips. Pull the access panels free after removing them. An alternative method is to hammer a flathead screwdriver into the keyhole of some somewhat older models and flip it over until the locking pins in the ignition are broken. Even though it’s highly challenging, if not impossible, to do this by hand, you can try if you believe the model is old enough to support it.
Find the connector for the wire harness
The steering column’s panels should come off to reveal a tangle of electrical lines. Be confident and develop the ability to spot the correct bundle. Typically, there will be three major wire bundles: Lights, cruise control, and other indicatorsThe wires running to the controls positioned on the column are on the other side. Wires going to the opposite side’s column control seat warmers or wipers. There are wires going straight up the steering column to the starter, ignition, and battery.
Separate the starter, ignition, and battery wires
These will include the starter, ignition wires, and the principal power source for the ignition switch, respectively. Depending on the manufacturer, the other colors will differ. To ensure you are aware of every possibility, read the owner’s manual or search online. The starting wires and ignition wires can occasionally be brown and yellow, respectively; however, the battery wires are almost always red. Again, reading the owner’s manual is the only way to be certain. You’re not MacGyver; touching the incorrect wires may electrocute you.
Strip the battery wires’ insulation, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, and twist them together
If electrician’s tape is available, wrap them in it and make sure they don’t come into contact with any metal parts of the vehicle. By connecting them, power will be given to the ignition parts, enabling the engine to start when the starter is turned.
Connect the battery wire to the wire that controls the ignition
At this stage, the dash lights and other electrical components ought to start working. You’re done if all you want to do is listen to the radio. It can be harmful to spark the starter wire if you wish to drive the car.
Cautiously strip the starter wire, about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) long
Since the wires are live with electricity, it’s crucial to exercise extreme caution and firmly grip the exposed parts. Touch the end of this wire to the connected battery wires. Instead of twisting it, simply create a spark by briefly contacting it with the battery wires to start the car.
Rev the engine
If you manage to start the automobile, give it a few revs to avoid stalling out and having to repeat this procedure. You can cut the starter wire and keep going after the engine has started. Simply separate the battery connections from the ignition wires to turn off the engine when you want to.
Deactivate the steering lock
You’ve started the car and are prepared to rev the engine and set the vehicle free, right? Wrong. The steering column of your automobile is most likely locked at this point while it is in motion, so you will need to unlock it in order to steer, unless you want to drive directly off a cliff or something.
On some types, all you have to do is remove the metal keyhole, which will let go of the spring and shatter the lock. If you have a vehicle from the mid-70s to the mid-80s and you previously attempted to cram a screwdriver in there, the lock is likely already broken.
A good amount of hard work can work wonders for some models. In an effort to free it, firmly crank the wheel to either side. To fix the wheel and provide leverage, you might also use a hammer. You should hear it snap, at which point the wheel will be loose and you may resume normal driving.
Power the Dash
Open the hood and find the red coil wire
Nearly all V8 engines have their coil and plug wires in the back. They are positioned on the right side of four-cylinder engines, close to the middle. On the other side, at the center of the engine, are six-cylinder engines.
Get your jumper cables ready
Connect a jumper cable from the positive battery terminal to the red wire leading to the coil, the positive side of the coil, or both. The dashboard will receive power as a result, which is necessary if you want to start the engine.
Find the solenoid for the starter
It is located next to the battery in the right-side fender well of Ford vehicles. It is located on the starter under the steering wheel on GM vehicles.
Unlock the steering wheel
Insert a flat-bladed screwdriver between the steering wheel and the column in the upper center of the column. To remove the locking pin from the wheel, press it outward. You may act tough around here, so don’t be concerned. The solenoid should be underneath, and the locking pin shouldn’t break or cause any alarms to go off.
Connect the solenoid to the battery’s positive terminal
The solenoid’s small wire is located at its top, while the positive battery cable is located below. To short the solenoid’s positive post to the terminal where the ignition switch connects, remove the solenoid’s ignition switch wire from it and use an insulated screwdriver to short it. This will draw 12 volts straight from the battery. The solenoid should turn on as a result, and the engine should start.
Drill the lock pins
Position the drill about two-thirds up the keyhole
By utilizing this technique, you hope to break the lock pins and be able to turn the automobile over without the key. When the keys to a car are lost, this is frequently done.
Drill to the depth of a key
Every lock pin has two sections, including a spring; therefore, drill it more than once, withdrawing the drill each time to let the lock’s internal components fall into place.
Insert the screwdriver as you would a key
Due to the damaged pins, it doesn’t need to go in all the way. Simply turn it about a quarter turn clockwise to try to start the engine, just like you’d do with your key. You should be aware that using this technique will ruin your key switch and enable anyone with a screwdriver or a strong fingernail to steal your vehicle.
