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This is a step by step guide to hotwiring a car. Hot-wiring is absolutely illegal without the owner's permission, unless the car is being repossessed. There is a huge risk of electrical shock while hot-wiring, and it may not work in many cases. Some newer model cars have the required components hidden so you can't reach them. Others have "kill switches," which shut down the engine so that it cannot be started, even with the key. Older model cars, like any gas-guzzler from 2004 down, will work. So will some hybrid and electric cars.
Steps
Method 1
Open the hood.
Locate the red coil wire. Both the plug and coil wires are located at the rear of almost all V-8 engines. Four-cylinder engines have them placed on the right side, near the center of the engine. Six-cylinder engines are the opposite: left side, near the center of the engine.
Locate the battery (it's the thing that looks like a battery).
Run a wire from the positive side of the battery (not negative!) to either the positive side of the coil, or the red wire that leads to the coil. This will give power to the dashboard, which is essential if you ever want it to start.
Locate the starter solenoid. On Fords, it is on the passenger-side fender well, near the battery. On GMs, it is on the starter under the steering wheel.
If under the steering wheel, enter the car without setting off any alarms. If it has standard transmission, make sure the car is in neutral and the parking brake is on.
Unlock the steering wheel by taking a flat blade screwdriver and placing it at the top center of the steering column. Push the screwdriver between the wheel and the column, then push the locking pin away from the wheel. Don't worry, you're allowed to be rough here. The locking pin will not break or set off any alarms. The solenoid should be underneath.
You will see a small wire at the top of the solenoid and the positive battery cable below. Cross the two different terminal that they are connected to with a screwdriver or pliers. This will crank the engine, giving you leave to drive. Congratulations.
Method 2
Enter car. Do not break into a car unless you own it and have documentation to prove it. Be aware that forced entry will set an intrusion alarm off if the vehicle is so equipped.
Determine if the steering column and gear selector can be overridden, if so equipped. Serious damage to the shifting mechanism and/or steering column will result in forcing these theft deterrant mechanisms in an attempt to override them.
Look under steering wheel. This may require taking an access cover off. These are usually held in place with concealed clips or #2 Phillips type screws. Remove if needed.
See if there is a clip or wiring harness connector in which you can gain access to the wires behind the ignition.
Look for the two wires that are the same, usually red and strip them and twist them together. One of these will be the primary power supply for the ignition switch, the other will be the connection for the vehicles electrical circuits that are energised when the key is turn to the run position. Connecting these will provide electricity for the ignition components, so the engine is able to run when the starter is turned.
Strip about 1 inch of insulation from this pair of wires, and twist them tightly together. Wrap with electrician's tape if available, and do not allow them to short against metal vehicle components.
Get the ignition wire, brown in many cars, strip it about 1/2 inch, and touch the end of the stripped brown wire with the connected red wires.
Do not twist the brown wire to the reds, just touch the wires until ignition has been achieved.
Rev the engine enough so you don't stall and have to do this process again.
Tips
Use this knowledge responsibly.
Vehicles with a computer chip in the ignition switch cannot be hot wired, the chip enables the ECM to function, and without it, the car will not run.
You risk causing significant damage to your vehicle if you hotwire it.
Never leave the ignition wires twisted together when you finish running the engine. This can burn up the ignition system of the vehicle, and will at least discharge the battery.
Warnings
If the ignition wires seperate while driving, the engine will instantly die, and you may find yourself without power, steering, or brakes.
BIG chance of getting arrested and charged if used illegally.