It’s important to note that this technique is very dangerous and illegal, but if you do not have access to tools or a locksmith, it is a viable temporary solution. Please be aware of what you’re doing before attempting any of these methods.
It may seem impossible to turn your car on without the key, but with a little ingenuity and some patience, it can be done! This method works best for pre-1990s cars that have no anti-theft device or chip in their keys. The key is an electrical switch that tells the computer in your car that it’s okay to start up. You can use other electrical switches to bypass this function.
Step 1: Access the Ignition
- Firstly, it is important to understand the make of the vehicle and where the ignition will be.
- Depending on the vehicle, this can mean anything from popping a plastic cover off with a screwdriver to removing some screws and gently prying up on a panel.
- If you need assistance, consider hiring a mechanic who can help you understand how your specific vehicle’s ignition functions. Most mechanics will be happy to talk you through exactly what you need to do to remove your car’s ignition panel to get at the tumblers. If you don’t have a regular mechanic or garage that maintains your vehicles, find one online with good reviews; most charge less than $100 per hour for service calls.
Step 2: Locate the Wires
To locate the wires, you will need an automotive test light or multimeter.
- The red wire is the power wire. This wire provides constant power to the ignition switch and is used to activate the starter solenoid.
- The black wire is the ground wire. This wire connects to a solid bare metal part of your car’s frame and controls all of your dash lights, as well as other electrical systems in your vehicle. If you plan on using a push button switch, this is one of two wires that must be connected directly to your battery’s ground terminal (the other being the red power wire).
- The yellow wire is the accessory wire. This provides power for both accessories in your vehicle such as stereos and power windows.
- The white (or sometimes blue) wire is the ignition wire. This powers on all electronics in your car when it’s turned to “on” or “acc” positions but won’t activate anything until you turn over its engine by pressing down on either brake pedal with foot while pushing start button with hand at same time while vehicle key was previously inserted into steering column lock slot before starting process began so no key needed now after all!
Step 3: Connect the Circuitry
Third, the circuitry must be connected. The negative wire should connect to the positive current, and the positive wire should connect to the negative current.
Step 4: Test the Ignition
Now it’s time to test the ignition. You’ll want to use the keyless start first, and if that doesn’t work, you can grab your regular car key for a second try.
- Try turning the ignition with the keyless start. If it doesn’t work, proceed to step 5—or skip ahead to step 6 if that feels more satisfying.
- Try turning the ignition with your car key.
- Congratulations! You have successfully turned on your car without using an official car key!
not having a key is no longer an excuse for not being able to drive your car
You have a car. You do not have a key to start the car. No need to worry, as it’s still possible to turn the ignition without a key.
Here’s how: First, you’ll need to get inside your vehicle and find the steering column on the driver’s side of the car. If you don’t know where that is, look for two vertical plastic or metal bars protected by a large cover or trim piece (also known as an “ignition cover”). Once you’ve located those bars, take out your paperclip and carefully insert one end into the ignition slot—the one closest to the steering wheel—where you would normally place your key.
When inserting this paperclip into your steering column, make sure that it doesn’t touch any other exposed surface in the steering column and be careful not to bend its tip too much—if it bends too much, then it won’t be able to reach all of the components within the ignition lock cylinder necessary for starting your vehicle. The paper clip should also remain straight after insertion since bending it during removal could damage its integrity as well.