How to Hot Wire Cars During an Emergency
Many cars, even newer models, can still be hot wired the old fashioned way. Hot wiring a car is surprisingly easy, and it only takes a few seconds to bypass a keyed ignition system in order to start an engine. Let’s take a look at a couple of methods that you could use in an emergency. Keep in mind that this illustration is intended for legal purposes only, and in no way is it meant to encourage criminal auto theft.
Traditional Hot Wire
This method requires a little bit of practice as well as some gloves to protect yourself from getting shocked. The first step is to rip off the plastic that covers the back of the steering column to expose the shaft. This is where the term “peeling the column” comes from. If you are familiar with the location of this locking mechanism, you don’t need to pull back the entire column covering, just the area surrounding the disc. Once the shaft is exposed, you want to look for a small disk that has some holes on it. This is where the steering lock will latch onto. If the wheel can be unlocked, and it won’t take a lot of imagination to figure out how to do this, then you’re in business. If not, you may need to call a locksmith to get your car started.
The next step is to remove the access panel beneath the steering wheel with your screwdriver. This will expose a wiring harness that overlays the ignition wiring. Remove the harness without damaging any of the wires. You’re looking for the two ignition wires that connect into either side of the ignition system. In many cars, these wires are red, but this is not always the case. Rip the ends off of the ignition system, peel off some of the insulation and then twist them together.
Next, look for a brown wire, but again this is not always the case, that leads from the starter. Rip off some of the insulation on this one as well. Touch the end of the starter wire to the ignition wires and the car should start right away. Once the car starts, keep the starter wire separate from the ignition wire, and make sure that all of the exposed wires do not come into contact with any metal.
Drill, Screwdriver or Punch Method
Another method is to disable the lock entirely so that you can start the car with a screwdriver instead of the key. The easiest way to do this is to take a drill and bore a hole straight through the lock. Push through in the direction that you would normally insert the key until the bit is about 2/3 up into the lock. Remove the bit, and the components of the lock should fall free inside and override what the key normally does.
You may need to repeat this step a few times until all of the tumblers inside of the lock are released and lined up. You can also use a hammer and punch if you don’t have a drill handy. All you need to do next is insert your flathead screwdriver into the ignition for leverage, twist as you would the key, and the ignition should start.
Keep in mind that both of these methods can cause serious damage to your ignition system and leave the vehicle vulnerable to theft. These methods are also not always effective on newer, theft-proof vehicles as well. Unfortunately, you may need to try before you discover whether or not your vehicle is capable of being started with these options. However, they are good skills to have, and you never know when you will need to put them to good use in an emergency.
