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how to hotwire an engine?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by avnet, Sep 15, 2004.

  1. avnet

    avnet New Member

    I am trying to find out what three or so wires i will need to use a rocker type switch to kick start and engine. My buddy just bought some land and found an old 60's willy wagoneer on the property and he is giving it to me. It has no keys. I am going up there next/next weekend and will try to kick over the engine.. How should i do this?
    He said it was a "huge" six cylinder engine. I am hoping its a kaiser 230 straight six! then i will just restore that to make it my grocery getter!

    Help!

    BTW. the CJ5 is down to the frame removing brake lines now for the sand blasting job and then boxing it in!! will have pics some day!
    I am a true red neck and most of my work is done outside in 110 degree heat. no shade etc.. so it takes a while :d
     
  2. Hill

    Hill Member

    Piece of cake. start with a fresh battery. The fuel system is your problem. Quick and dirty is to run a wire with aligator clips on both ends, from the battery terminal to the IGN side of the ballast resistor. If there ain't one then go to the POS side of the ign coil. Then find the starter solenoid. Clip on a wire to the smaller lead that goes there. Touch it to the positive side of the BATT. It should crank.... might even run. If it is the 230 6, that is one cool engine. I had one once (reeeally shot....) but it was running, sort of.
     
  3. 66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    a hammer and flat screwdriver are all that are needed. place the screwdriver as far in to the keyhole as possible. use hammer to insert more if needed. twist handle to start.
     
  4. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    If this is legit why not just buy a new ignition switch for it if you're planning to use the vehicle? Not that hard to install one in these old Jeeps.
     
  5. kamel

    kamel Senior Curmudgeon

    Here's what I have done - it is portable and I've used it on a dozen or so jeeps.

    I took a 4 X 4 electrical box with lid that I got from home depot.

    I also bought a push button and toggle switch.

    Installed the switches in the electrical box.

    Ran a wire with a large clamp (from a battery charger) and connected it to one side of both switches.

    Ran a green wire from the toggle switch out of the box with an alligator clip on it.

    Ran a red wire from the push button switch out of the box with an alligator clip on it.

    Glued a couple of magnets on the back of the box. and put the lid on.

    The magnets hold the box anywhere on the body that I want.

    Connect the large clamp to the + side of the battery.

    Connect the green wire to coil + side

    Connect the red wire to the solenoid coil.

    push the button and it will crank, turn on the toggle switch and you'l have ignition.

    I used an in line fuse in the wire coming from the clamp that connects to the battery so that if it got hooked up wrong it would pop the fuse.

    I use this all the time for electrical testing as well as starting old jeeps.
     
  6. speedbuggy

    speedbuggy Looking for a Jeep now

    New ignition switch is $7. It takes no more than 20 minutes to pull the old one out and install the new one. That's what I would do.
     
  7. jd7

    jd7 Sponsor


    Yup
     
  8. 66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    New takes out all the "Fun". :cry:
     
  9. avnet

    avnet New Member

    A while back i bought a amc 401 engine out of a wrecked waggy. Before buying the engine i wante to hear it run. He had lost the keys to it and so he simply hooked up three wires to the engine with a rocker switch. put a little gas in her carb, hoooked up the battery and vroom it kicked over.
    Since my buddies land is about 3 hrs drive away and in the middle of Know where I really dont want to be out there fooling around with the electrical crap so that is why i posted this message. Yes its a good idea to simply install a new ignition switch and that is probably what I will do.
    But like i said i dont know the condtion of the vehicle at all! I have some pics of it but thats all.
    .... ahhh what the hell i will tell the truth its my neighbors jeep that i am trying to steal and i appreciate all the great ways in helping me to steal it. Once i got it all taking apart I will give you guys all great deals on the parts.. (under stand i have to do this in the back yard so my neighbor cant see me) but this is legit! trust me!


    thanks
     
  10. Michaelo

    Michaelo Member

    Pretty much you got your bat terminal (BAT) and your igition terminal(I) and your starter terminal (S).

    Run a wire from the battery or somewhere with power to the I terminal to give power to the igintion system. Wire with alligator clips on both ends works great with this.

    Then take a screwdriver and cross the BAT terimnal with the starter terminal. Should kick over if the engine isn't stuck or you have a weak battery