how do you hotwire a car?

[vancouverbc]

I had my car towed home from theft recovery. 91 240sxThe thief did not cut any wires. He dug out the place where the key goes. I assume he put a screw driver in and turned. I tried turning it with screw driver but nothing happened. Is there any trick.

[chandler]

if the shroud is off of the colum, take the screw out of the ignition switch and turn the switch

[vancouverbc]

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/...hotos

The place where you insert key has been pryed out. There is just a hole now.

[MECPInstaller]

I'm pretty sure if you look under your steering collum you will find your main ignition harness, a bundle of wires that are thicker than the rest under the dash (usually like 10awg or so) . Locate your +12volts wire then touch it to the one of the ignition wires in the harness. I'm not exactly postive on it but just trying to recall from what i know when i installed alarm systems. I'd first try playing with yoru broken tumbler, pulling it out and see if theres anyway you can rotate it .

Find a service manual for you car and make sure you locate and identify the correct wires.

One thing you might run into a problem with is if the steering wheel lock still works, car will run but won't be able to turn with the steering lock still working. I know some how theives can shatter the lock but i myself don't know how they go about doing it.

A word of warning, if you car has airbags, steer clear of wires wrapped in yellow tape, or in a yellow sheath or loom. People can be killed by airbags.

I had a audio/security instructor who's buddy had died, because he used a test light and tested the wrong wire while his was down near the seat and steering wheel. Long story short airbag deploys, snaps his neck and kills him.

[vancouverbc]

"I'd first try playing with yoru broken tumbler, pulling it out and see if theres anyway you can rotate it ."

The tumblers rotate but there has to be more than that to get it going. The ignition wire , i assume, must be continuously connected to 12V+ for car to run and the starter wire must be connected to 12v and ignition to turn over starter. I can't even get the accessories to work.

"Long story short airbag deploys, snaps his neck and kills him."

ouch.

[nab911]

Carbed cars are easy, efi and locking steering wheels suck. You have to have some way to turn the thing. I studied lock picking for a while and depending on the type of lock, you have to pop several pins to their perfect place. Try getting a very thing flat piece of metal (file like but small) and a paper clip. Put the flat piece in the hold it like your turning a key, and insert the paper clip above it and scrape the top slowly. The pins should line up and it will turn VERY SLIGHTLY holding it in place until the next lines up. Ive heard that but not sure if it will work.

[chandler]

see that black piece inside the cylinder, turn it clock wise

[vancouverbc]

"if the shroud is off of the colum, take the screw out of the ignition switch and turn the switch"

Ok, I found the ignition switch under the column right behind where the lock cylinder is on the assembly. There is a small gold screw there.

Five wires are soldered to the switch:

white- 12V+blue- accessoryblack-red- ignitionblack-white- starterblack-yellow- starter

A locksmith said he had a kit for replacing the lock cylinder for 79 bucks. Some of the old lock cylinder housing is still there. Do i have to take off steering wheel and asssembly to replace lock cylinder?

The Nissan dealer said there is no such thing as replacing lock cylinder. He said you have to replace entire assembly which costs $238 in parts and $88 in labour.

Thanks.

[MECPInstaller]

nissan dealers are greedy the locksmith should be able to do that lock cylinder for you.