Have you ever hot wired a car?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Have you ever hot wired a car?

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:05:46 PM EDT

Started it by bypassing the key?

I know how to start Honda Accords. Neighbor had his stolen and when it was dropped in a bad neighborhood I had to re-start it and drive it home for him to help them out.

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:07:28 PM EDT

[#1]

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:07:35 PM EDT

[#2]

Sure. Back in the 1960s. Was easy then. Just jump across the ignition.

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:08:09 PM EDT

[#3]

Steering lock busted out ?

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:08:33 PM EDT

[#4]

Yes, and for the same reason.

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:16:20 PM EDT

[#5]

Yes. I know how to bust the column on older GMs and start with a screwdriver.

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:27:41 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Sure. Back in the 1960s. Was easy then. Just jump across the ignition.

View Quote

Pretty much this. Up into the 70's and other vehicle types currently on the road can be started like this but....

Now days......it's almost impossible for your "average" person. You need computer access to the vehicle.

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:32:36 PM EDT

[#7]

Yes, my ignition switch got loose and made it impossible to engage the starter, I could turn on the ignition just not start it.

So I ripped out the lead from the shitty aftermarket dome light and touched the starter lead to start it, did that until I had time to replace the ignition switch.

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:37:43 PM EDT

[#8]

No, but while on shift. I went outside and picked the ignition to an officer's patrol car and drove it down the street. That was awesome.

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:46:59 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

Pretty much this. Up into the 70's and other vehicle types currently on the road can be started like this but....

Now days......it's almost impossible for your "average" person. You need computer access to the vehicle.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Sure. Back in the 1960s. Was easy then. Just jump across the ignition.

Pretty much this. Up into the 70's and other vehicle types currently on the road can be started like this but....

Now days......it's almost impossible for your "average" person. You need computer access to the vehicle.

You can start an 80s blazer this way, as well, I think.

I think you have to, if the under dash starter relay fails open. And you don't have a replacement relay handy.

If it fails closed, your starter will just run away until the wires melt.

Posted: 4/24/2016 4:55:10 PM EDT

[#10]

My first vehicle was a 79 cj7. I used a screw driver on the starter solenoid a few times

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:05:31 PM EDT

[#11]

IIRC...for the GM's you used to just break the lock cylinder then use a pliers to move the rod that moved the switch in the column. For the Ford's you pulled down the trim panel on the underside of the column behind steering wheel to access the ignition switch and forced the steering wheel to overcome the column lock pawl. I think I saw this on Saturday morning cartoons between Conjunction Junction and How a Bill becomes a Law.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:07:32 PM EDT

[#12]

hot wired car, no

cats, yes

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:09:07 PM EDT

[#13]

I rigged my 69 Camaro up with a toggle switch and a push button when I was in HS because I couldn't afford a new key switch. I still used the key to unlock the steering column, but I moved the electronics to the dash.

So yeah. I kind of hot wired one everyday.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:10:12 PM EDT

[#14]

The starter on the wife's car was bad when we were younger... I learned how to jump start it with a crow bar by shorting circuiting the starter.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:10:37 PM EDT

[#15]

Yes, I broke my key off in my old Land Cruiser's ignition and had to bypass it.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:11:05 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

My first vehicle was a 79 cj7. I used a screw driver on the starter solenoid a few times

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74 Ford F100, same technique.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:11:11 PM EDT

[#17]

I know how to on the older cars I owned, but never needed to.

It's sort of like the other piece of automotive trivia from my life - I've never replaced a flat tire on the side of the road. The closest I ever got, was coming out of my hotel room to see my rental car with a flat in the parking lot.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:12:12 PM EDT

[#18]

Maybe...

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:16:08 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Sure. Back in the 1960s. Was easy then. Just jump across the ignition.

View Quote

This. But I have never done it on anything with EFI. I'm sure I could on a 90's car though... Not so sure about some of these new cars.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:19:25 PM EDT

[#20]

My old Spitfire when I was 15. I was always working on it and when my Dad wasn't around he took the keys so I couldn't start the car and drive it around.

One wire from the positive side of the battery to the positive side of the ignition coil, screwdriver across the starter solenoid. and VROOM! No steering lock so I had fun when the parents left. Neighbors ratted me out however.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:25:42 PM EDT

[#21]

I have. Old cars and newer ones.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:29:16 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
I rigged my 69 Camaro up with a toggle switch and a push button when I was in HS because I couldn't afford a new key switch. I still used the key to unlock the steering column, but I moved the electronics to the dash.

So yeah. I kind of hot wired one everyday.

View Quote

My buddy did that for his truck (just because). There was a hidden switch under the dash and he broke the steering lock so if you knew where the switch was, you could start it without the key.

He changed that after "someone" parked his truck in the middle of the marching band practice field

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:36:14 PM EDT

[#23]

Sure

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:36:58 PM EDT

[#24]

Never a car, but a Peterbilt or four because I forgot to bring a key on a service call.

Shockingly easy.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:39:54 PM EDT

[#25]

Grandfathers Dump Truck.

We lost the Key....

ETA:
Dump Truck was amazingly simple..... just 3 wires. We put 2 on a toggle switch and one on a push button switch and never bothered getting a new key.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:40:27 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

My buddy did that for his truck (just because). There was a hidden switch under the dash and he broke the steering lock so if you knew where the switch was, you could start it without the key.

He changed that after "someone" parked his truck in the middle of the marching band practice field

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I rigged my 69 Camaro up with a toggle switch and a push button when I was in HS because I couldn't afford a new key switch. I still used the key to unlock the steering column, but I moved the electronics to the dash.

So yeah. I kind of hot wired one everyday.

My buddy did that for his truck (just because). There was a hidden switch under the dash and he broke the steering lock so if you knew where the switch was, you could start it without the key.

He changed that after "someone" parked his truck in the middle of the marching band practice field

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:40:36 PM EDT

[#27]

The ignition switch of my old Mk2 Jetta broke when I was in high school, so I just bypassed it instead of replacing it. Just two wires dangling down from the steering column, touch them to start. No key required.

Posted: 4/24/2016 5:41:31 PM EDT

[#28]

Yes, many of times. I use to install remote start on a lot of cars, it's easier for me to get past an immobilizer than most. It still takes time.

Posted: 4/24/2016 6:46:34 PM EDT

[#29]

Hotwire a late model car and you can start it, but steering it becomes problematic.

Posted: 4/24/2016 6:48:40 PM EDT

[#30]

FPNI.

Posted: 4/24/2016 6:51:18 PM EDT

[#31]

I worked at a crappy British car restoration shop for a while a lot of the cars didn't have keys we would carry a jumper wire and just jump the battery positive to the coil then use a screwdriver to jump the terminals on the starter