A bad battery can make your car not start when you ignite it. But, the problem can also arise due to a malfunctioned car ignition system.
Continue reading to discover how to bypass the ignition system module to start your car when you have a similar experience.
How Easy Is It To Bypass The Car’s Ignition Control Module And Start It?
Assume you own an older vehicle that has developed a mechanical ignition system.
The truth is, it’s possible to bypass the ignition control module and start your car.
However, the steps of bypassing the ignition control module of your vehicle will depend on the car model you own.
Bypassing the ignition control module is not a simple task shown or portrayed in movies.
It involves more than tearing wires from the steering column and touching or twisting them together to ignite a vehicle.
How To Identify The Wires Within The Ignition Switch To Bypass The Control Module
You can find the ignition switch that contains the wires by removing the plastic cover in the steering column.
How do you identify the wires to bypass the ignition switch if you don’t have the car keys? Well, follow these simple steps below.
Steps To Identify The Wires Required To Bypass The Ignition Control Module
Remove the plastic cover in the steering column and remove the ignition switch. You’ll find five wires inside.
Identify the wire connect to the car battery’s positive terminal. Use a voltmeter to do this. An important reminder, don’t short anything. Make sure that you also avoid touching any wires yourself.
The wire that reads 12V when the ignition switch is off should go to the positive terminal.
Make sure that the other wires are at 0V. With the ignition switch still in the off position, these wires should not read any voltage.
Next, you need to test the other wires at 0V again. Your goal here is to identify the wire that reads 12V. Use the voltmeter to identify one that reads 12V. It is the starter wire.
The next step is to use the wires to bypass the ignition module by hotwiring the car.
Ways To Bypass The Ignition Control Module And Start A Car With A Bad Ignition Switch
Your car likely has an ignition switch problem if you experience problems when you want to start it.
The good news is that you can use ways to bypass the ignition switch and start your car.
To bypass the ignition control module of your car, you will require some mechanical tools.
After getting them, you are ready to bypass the ignition switch using the following easy-to-follow methods.
How To Bypass Ignition Control Module Through Hotwiring
Quick disclaimer: bypassing the ignition control module through hotwiring may not work for many cars manufactured after the mid-90s.
If you own a car manufactured before this period, you can use this method.
First, you need to identify your car’s steering wheel column. Then, open the plastic cover that conceals the ignition wires inside.
The next thing you need to do is to identify the connector. Due to the number of wires contained inside, you may find this process a bit tricky.
In most cars, the connector would be situated in the middle of the car steering column.
Other wires serve other functions in the car, including wipers, lights, and other car accessories.
Go ahead and identify connectors that serve the battery, ignition, and starter. The yellow and brown wires are for the ignition.
The red wires are related to the battery. Take the red wire that serves the battery and strip them down about one inch from insulation before twisting them.
To bypass the ignition control module, connect the car on/off the ignition wire with the wire that connects to the battery. It will make the car lights and electronics start working.
To make the car engine start, touch the starter wire to the connected battery wires, bypassing the ignition control module and starting the engine.
How To Bypass Ignition Control Module Through Jump Starting A Car
This method of bypassing the ignition control module is for people who know the components under the hood well.
You can either use a portable jump starter or another car to jump-start your car.
The critical thing in this method is to jump-start a car by connecting the ignition coil with the battery.
First, identify the red coil wire to bypass the ignition control module. You can find the ignition coil and battery under the hood of your car hood.
Get the jump starter cable. Connect the coil’s positive side to the car battery’s positive terminal.
You can also run the jump starter cable to the red wire to the coil. It will make the dashboard get some power required by the car to ignite the engine.
Open the steering wheel column and find the starter solenoid. The starter solenoid should be connected to the positive terminal for the car battery.
Afterward, take out the ignition wire from the ignition control module.
With a screwdriver, you need to short the solenoid’s positive terminal to the post where the ignition control switch connects.
It activates the solenoid and makes the starter crank the car.
How To Bypass Ignition Control Module Using A Drill And Screwdriver
This method can be used to bypass the ignition control module but can ultimately damage it. First, identify the keyhole.
Using a metal drill, drill about 2 to 3 inches into the car keyhole. Make sure that you drill into the keyhole the same length as your car key.
After you are done with drilling, remove the locking bits until they get into position.
You can then bypass the ignition control module and start your car by inserting the screwdriver and starting the car with it. If you don’t have a drill, you can use a hammer.
Just insert your screwdriver in the keyhole and continue hammering; This will break the locking pins inside the ignition.
Put the screwdriver into the keyhole the way you would do the car keys. Then, turn the ignition.
It should bypass the ignition control module and start the car.
Conclusion
The ignition control module is one of the components you must always ensure is in good condition.
Like any other mechanical machine, you may experience challenges starting your car. It is even more difficult if you misplace or lose your keys.
In such a case, the only way to start your car would be to bypass the ignition control module.
The methods of bypassing the ignition control module shared in this guide should help you do so.
We highly recommend you consult an expert if you’re unsure what’s making your car not start.
With comprehensive experience in writing exceptional quality articles and blogs about cars and related stuff, Daniel is one of the finest bloggers and a hardcore car lover we have. He is an ASE certified technician with an across-the-board experience of 10 years in the industry. He could not help tinkering with anything he got his hands on from a young age, which led to his remarkable career in the automotive repair industry.
When he is not under any hood, you can find him on the water or in the woods to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing. He has been writing for multiple sectors and is a regular contributor to several publications.
He currently owns a Nissan 300ZX TT and a Pearl Yellow but plans to upgrade it to 550 HP. His favorites include the Koenigsegg CCX and Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT, but for him, the Ferrari 360 Spider is one of the sexiest cars that exists to date.
Being an avid world traveler, he has spent most of his time analyzing the automotive markets, latest technology, and local favorites to enhance his knowledge base. He is currently living in North Caroline, where it’s all about food and coffee and, of course, cars.
