Once your car’s ignition switch is faulty, no matter if you turn to a mechanic’s help or choose to DIY, investing in a new ignition switch will be costly.
As such, many people wonder how to bypass ignition switch, which is never an easy feat itself.
Bypassing a broken starter switch is indeed a technical procedure, calling for more than just an owner’s manual and a good sense of learning.
The best scenario is to take your car to a professional to handle it or simply replace the switch.
What Is The Ignition Switch?
The ignition switch is an indispensable part of any car. Many people consider the ignition switch to be the slot into which they enter their key to activate their vehicle.
However, this is really the ignition lock cylinder. The ignition switch is a more complicated component that must “decode” anti-theft coding inside the key before it starts electrical systems in the car.
The mechanical switch allows you to manage the power of many of your car’s accessories, keeping them from draining the battery when the car is parked for an extended length of time.
The ignition switch also connects the starter to the battery, allowing the battery to transmit a tremendous rush of electricity to the starter when the automobile is turned on.
Because the key switch gives first access to the vehicle engine, it is critical that the part remains in functioning order throughout the life of the vehicle.
Can You Bypass the Ignition Switch?
The answer is absolutely yes. If you are a big fan of action movies, you might have watched a scene in which the actor broke the window glass and dragged two or more wires from below the wheel.
In reality, this action is not impossible. Although it can be challenging to do so in modern cars with high security, you can still bypass starter switch.
If you have a faulty ignition switch, replacing a new one may be expensive and infeasible in emergency situations. So bypassing it may be a better alternative.
But please note that bypassing ignition switch is a complicated technique that makes DIY a real challenge. Scroll down to know how to bypass an ignition switch!
How To Bypass Ignition Switch?
We recommend two ways to start your car with a flawed ignition system. The first is hotwiring (works for vehicles produced before the mid-90s), and the second is a jumpstart.
Hotwiring
Regarding cars manufactured before 1985, you can easily access the ignition system, so hotwiring is feasible for these cars.
You must go beneath your vehicle and locate the steering column to do so. After that, remove the plastic covering the car’s inside.
When you remove the plastic insulation, you’d see many wires inside.
Look for the electrical harness that is usually placed at the center of the automotive steering column. Multiple connectors are below your wheel, so it’s likely to mix them up.
Then look for the battery, ignition, and starting connectors. The ignition is controlled through the yellow and brown wires, while the red ones go with the battery.
Strip the red wires away from the insulation (approximately 1 inch) and twist them together.
Finally, connect the ignition on/off wire to the battery wire, and you’ll see that the lights are turned on, and the electrical components begin to operate.
To ignite the engine, cut the starting wire down to a half-inch length and attach it to the associated battery cables.
The engine must now be started. So, try revving the engine for a few minutes.
Jump Starting Your Car
Jumpstarting not only solves the problem when your car battery doesn’t hold a charge, but it can also come in handy in this case.
To jumpstart your car, utilize a portable jump starter or another automobile. Park the automobiles near together but not touch them.
Check that both cars are totally turned off. You just need to connect to locate the ignition coil and battery.
Attach the red (+) clamp to the positive terminal of the ignition coil. Find the starting solenoid and attach it to the positive side of the battery.
After that, remove the ignition switch wire from the solenoid and connect the solenoid’s terminal to the location where the ignition switch attaches.
The purpose of attaching the ignition coil is to provide electricity to the dashboard so that the automobile may be started using the starting solenoid.
And that’s how to bypass key ignition switch. It’s quite simple to follow.
Signs Of A Faulty Ignition Switch – When To Bypass?
There are several indicators that you have a defective ignition switch. If you suspect a problem with your ignition switch or your car’s starter, you should get it checked out by an expert.
Continue reading to learn about all of the usual symptoms of a malfunctioning ignition switch.
Car Won’t Start
If you turn the key and the car tries but fails to start, you may have a faulty ignition switch.
When your car doesn’t start, a mobile mechanic is a wonderful alternative since they will bring the shop to you.
Key Won’t Turn
If you insert your key into the keyhole, but it becomes stuck and will not turn to the “start” position, your car’s ignition switch may be faulty.
And when your key does not turn, your vehicle will most likely not start. This is a major nuisance, so have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible.
Car Stalls
Your automobile may stall shortly after you start it, or it may stall after you have driven for some time.
Your car will start and stall if your key is in the “on” position and fails. In any case, this might point to a problem with your ignition switch.
No Noise From The Starter
Should you turn the key and it makes no noise from the starter, this indicates that something is amiss. When you turn the key, your automobile should start.
Once there is no noise, it might be because an electrical route is blocked. A dead battery might also cause this, so get your vehicle inspected by a specialist.
Dashboard Lights Flicker
This is the least common indication of a faulty ignition switch, although it does occur.
Observing your dashboard lights flashing while your car is in motion might indicate that your ignition switch is faulty.
How To Fix A Bad Ignition Switch?
One of the most well-known ignition switch issues is the steering wheel safety lockout. When the key is switched off, the steering wheel stops rotating.
When the engine is shut off, and you spin the engine wheel, the power steering mechanical pumps lose pressure and push the steering to the lockup pin.
Crank the steering wheel while rotating the ignition key to unlock the steering wheel lock.
If dirt and debris get inside the ignition switch, they might cause the key to become stuck and not spin. In this instance, the lock becomes stuck and cannot release the steering wheel.
In this instance, the first attempt is to use a rust removal product and apply it with a pressure nozzle via the keyhole.
Supposing the problem persists, you must use a light hammer and press the key numerous times. But you must be gentle. Avoid breaking the key in the switch.
So, if all these tries ended and nothing was fixed, the ignition lock cylinder must be replaced. This happens because the internal parts of the switch wear with time.
Conclusion
You might know how to bypass ignition switch once you read this post here.
Starter switches are one of the most commonly utilized switches in an automobile, and just like other electrical switches, they eventually pass their prime and need a replacement.
In an emergency when it is impossible to replace a new one, an ignition switch bypass can be an alternative.
However, please bear in mind that this is just a temporary method. In the long run, you should go to the mechanic and replace the broken one with a new ignition switch.
We hope you can finish this process without any difficulties.
