Ford Laser Hotwiring
August 2011
Background
After a respectable gentleman tried to break into my friend's car and turn the ignition with a screwdriver (unsuccessfully), my friend was left with an unworking ignition.
He still needed the car, and until he could get the ignition replaced we decided to try hotwiring the car.
Disclaimer
Hotwiring a car is a bit of a grey area. It's perfectly legal to do — assuming you own the car — but the same instructions I provide here could be used nefariously. That being said, I find it unlikely that someone trying to steal a car is going to be able to sit down with the ignition cover off, a soldering iron in hand and wires going everywhere for 45 minutes while they get it all sorted out.
These instructions are for purely reference purposes, and I take no responsibility for any damage you do to your car.
Materials
- Wire
- 2x Rocker Switches
- 1x Push Button
- Heatshrink
- Solder & soldering iron
- Screwdriver (Phillips head)
Details
Hotwiring the car requires four separate contacts, all readily accessible from the back of the ignition jack. Getting access requires removing the four screws holding the plastic ignition cover in place.
- +12V
- Accessory
- On
- Engine crank
These are the different settings your key goes to when it's in the ignition. First to accessory, then to "on", then finally a momentary contact with the engine crank to get the motor started.
By connecting each contact successively to the +12V rail, you get the same effect as having the key in that position.
Wire the switches up according to the schematic (remembering to use multiple wires where the current draw requires it). With all the switches in place, turn on accessory, then "on", then press the engine crank button and the car should start. Turn the "on" switch back off when you arrive to stop.
Future work
Some interesting possibilities for a more permanent electronic ignition:
- Re-implementation using RFID
- Keypad code entry
- Bluetooth phone integration
Of course, once a replacement ignition was found it was installed and the switches and wires were removed.