How To Start A Car Without A Key | How To Hotwire A Car

How To Start A Car Without A Key | How To Hotwire A Car

Josh from JP Auto & Fleet Services is going to teach you how to start a car without a key. Now, let’s be clear, this is not to be used for nefarious purposes and stealing cars.

This technique is to be used when you are stuck and in a bit of trouble as you will see in this video. It is also used for diagnostic purposes such as those shown in the video as well.

Let’s get down to business. I received a call from a customer of mine, his engine light started blinking on his car, flashing going crazy while has was on the highway. Luckily, he was able to get off the highway because his car died.

He actually had to get off the highway and got to a store that was close by to me so I went to help him out. The Kia van wouldn’t crank over but I was able to get it started and back to my shop.

The battery in the van was completely dead and the starter wouldn’t crank at all. I’m going to share with you exactly how I was able to get the van started and over to my shop in Lake Dallas, TX.

Diagnosing the inside the car first, the lights are showing on the dashboard with the keys in the ignition but no “click-click” when turning the key. Now, I’m going to look under the hood.

I knew the battery was toast so I had brought a new battery to the store where he pulled over and installed that prior to getting it started. I needed good voltage to be able to do all the diagnostic testing.

I took my power probe, which can send power and ground to any accessory, and tested the battery I installed. It tested at 12.3 volts and that is enough battery voltage to crank this vehicle over.

The van should have been at least turning over and cranking if not starting so I went to the next stage. Before I get into the starter, I’m going to start with the starter reply.

One way to check the starter without getting into it fully is to send voltage down to it with the power probe. By sending voltage directly to the starter via the starter reply it cranked right up and started.

What this tells us is we don’t have a bad starter. The next stage was to test the alternator. Using the power probe again, the alternator was at 12.1 volts which is below what is needed to start a vehicle. The acceptable range for an alternator is 13.3 – 14.8 volts.

This brings us now to one of two things, we either have a bad alternator or an electrical issue somewhere that is not allowing the battery to charge properly. My bet on this is that we have an electrical issue.

Several indications show me that this is a rust bucket vehicle. I came across a break in the wire on the fuel injector. I also came across several places with open copper wire and this can result in short circuits.

Important note: this video is for diagnostic purposes only, we are not trying to steal cars here. However, a lot of times, this particular technique showing how to start a car without a key or how to hotwire a car is needed to rule out a bad starter, a faulty ignition, or troubleshoot an alternator battery charging issue.

JP Auto & Fleet Services
4 Tanglewood Drive
Lake Dallas, TX 75065
214-836-9333

#howtostartacarwithoutakey
#howtohotwireacar
#jpautofleetservices

[stephmaines]

This really works. Again, not for stealing but great when you have a crazy person take your keys thinking they own you.
Thanks, thanks... Have a Great day, be Happy and Safe. Love one-another....

[lammy]

Man I don't know what but, I like this guy. His facial expressions and eye gestures show some type concentration I can't explain.

[NewSpitin]

"You had to let him know you're not stealing the car cuz he knows me." 😂

[loragoff]

This is really cool. I lost my car keys and missed a very important event. Still looking for my keys so it’s really nice to know that I can drive my car. I wish I had thought of this before that event. Thank you so much for this video!

[jessicajackson]

On the starter relay 87 doesn't close 30 power is sent through 85 and 86 which energizes a coil that magnetically pulls 87 and 30 switch closed which allows power to go to the starter I'll explain ... 87 is constant power key on engine off and when you turn the ignition switch to start it sends power to 85 through 86 that energizes a coil that magnetically closes the switch between 87 and 30 then power is sent to the starter a relay is a switch that controls a bigger switch

Just to clarify I'm Adam Jackson ASE certified technician on my wife's account just realized that LOL

[stevenwatson]

Yes this will activate the starter, but without the key on, the fuel pump or ignition system won’t be on either.

[Btlegsamurai]

Have a really stupid question I am new into this scanner world. Is there a scanner that will start cars? Or try to crank it over / mimic the key. So I can see if it's worth getting a key made for the car?

[devinjones]

Question, i have a 2004 f250 5.4l, i replaced the ign switch, and o burned out relay... What else could i be looking at?

[nofatchicks]

Love the video just liked And subscribed. Somebody tried stealing my 06 ford freestar van and destroyed the immobilizer module and ignition plus the alarm wont shut up now. Is there anyway to disconnect the pats system I dont want to fix it because every time i loose the key it costs me $200.00 bucks. I lost the hand held last year so the alarm is worthless to me, i spoke with 4 guys at the ford dealership, they referred me to another guy from their collision center, he referred me to car toys. The closet thing that I've seen to a solution is if i get a bypass module. Can i use that trick with the relay pins to start it and does it have to be a certain tool or will anything work? Sorry to ramble on and bombard you with questions. This is my work van and I'm loosing a lot of money not be able to use it. Thanks any suggestions from you or anyone else would be greatly appreciated.

[CaptainMSH]

I recently lost my key (pontiac g6 gxp 2009) in a house fire and i was wondering if there was any information that you could tell me that would be useful?

[ultramanxk]

My computer car reads service, even though I did the service but the computer won't reset, so therefore wouldn't start, so I got hot wire it, to make it work again. Great video.

[davecornelisen]

I have a question I have a 04 dodge dakota 4.7 hem it no keys I want 2 start it or at least tune it over at least before I put a key switch in it I herd 2 hook up a starter switch u can't on that moter because the starter plugs in is it true I haven't been under the truck yet 2 see it was or not

[georgegoverjr]

Well thank you brother I'm trying to buy this mustang 97 Mustang they lost the keys I want to hear the motor run all I want is the motor so u think will start its a 4.6Lt..I have a V6 I want to do a swap you think everything will hook up mine is a 98

[Viperth]

Not everyone got a probe tool, so if you dont have, you can just jump connect pin 30 and 87, with ign on, just for the info

[MrMrBigro]

Ok and when it's a 2001 ford ranger and there is no key the ignition is on position will it crank it over?

[abdelaaladawi]

Grat work bro .
I like it .
Keep going 💪.
You are a professional man .have the knowledge and skills

[caseyjones]

I loved it learn something new everyday

[victormugo]

Thank you alot I have learned what I never knew, indeed you are a professional mechanic, kudos 👍

[kieratalks]

works for all cars or just certain ones??

[corrustofthehive]

Anyone know what tool he used to send the voltage down the line?