We all misplace our car keys at some point. But if you lose your car keys, how are you going to start your car?
By learning how to start a car without the key, you will never end up stranded again. You also need to know how to start the car when the key fob or remote key breaks or you simply lose it.
Modern cars, nearly all of them, can hardly be started without the actual key. On older car models, you can generally use a screwdriver and a hammer to crank the engine and start things if the key is lost. You can also hotwire the engine.
If your car is a newer model, you need to either find the original key or have it towed by a professional locksmith or certified dealer.
In this guide, I discuss the different ways to get your engine started. I also cover things to keep in mind if you don’t have a working key fob.
How to Start a Car Without a Key
Modern cars use an immobilizer, meaning you need to have the original key present near the ignition switch.
If the transponder in the original key does not unlock the immobilizer, the vehicle will not start, no matter how you go about starting it: these techniques will not work. These techniques work very well for older cars without immobilizers, though.
#1. Screwdriver/Hammer.
With the screwdriver and hammer or screwdriver and drill, you can crank the engine, but must be careful. If you make a wrong move, you could break the ignition switch in the car.
This is a common method to disable the lock pins of the ignition. On the downside, it will demolish the key mechanism, which you will have to replace. You need to gain access to where the inner flaps begin in the ignition.
It will require you to get in about 2/3 inches in the keyhole. Use your drill or hammer to access that area.
After you get access, you can insert the screwdriver head and turn the ignition. If you do not have a screwdriver, any metal piece that is flat may work.
#2. Hotwire Engine.
You can’t hotwire a new car, but this should work on most models from the 90s. This method allows you to bypass the ignition system.
You will need to remove the steering wheel column plastic cover. The screws to remove it are found on either side of the steering column. This will allow you an opportunity to access the car’s ignition system.
Before proceeding with any hotwiring, be sure to check a wiring diagram to know the correct wirings. Bad wirings can cause complete destruction of electric components.
Next, once you remove the cover and can see the wirings, be sure to put on insulated or protective gloves. The battery wire will often be red, and the ignition wires will often be yellow or brown.
Next you will cut the end of the battery wires and the end of the wiring for the power wires. Once you connect the battery wire end to the power wire by twisting the wires, the engine should be operating.
#3. Red Coil Wire.
If you are competent with the mechanics of the car, you may be able to use the red coil wire technique on your old car.
To protect yourself from damage, you will want to obtain the wiring diagram, as it may vary from model to model. You don’t want to connect power to anything that could become damaged.
Locate the red coil wire by going under the hood. Using a jump starter cable, connect the positive battery terminal to the red coil wire. It is sometimes referred to as the positive side of the coil.
With this technique, you will apply 12 volts of power to the coil directly. Next you will need to access the steering wheel to find the starter solenoid wire.
Connect this wire, or extension wire leading to this wire, to the positive battery terminal. When you apply power to the starter solenoid wire the engine should crank.
How to Start a Car Without the Keyless Key?
If the battery on your key fob dies, do you know how to get into the car and start the engine? Luckily, there are some backup systems in place to make sure you can still use the vehicle.
First, you will need to physically unlock the door. First, you should try the smart key near the door handle; the battery may be dead, but it might have enough juice to open the door. So, when attempting to unlock the vehicle, hold the fob close to the handle.
If this doesn’t work, your smart key will typically have the mechanical key for emergencies located in the key fob assembly. Pull out the traditional key and open the doors.
You may still be able to start the engine as well. Every fob has a radio frequency chip (RF chip) located inside. An RF chip does not require a strong battery to be read by sensors and the immobilizer circuit.
The process is the same; put the key fob close to the button that starts the engine. If the RF chip is detected, the engine will start.
If you lose the key fob, then you cannot operate your car whatsoever unless the automaker allows you to operate the vehicle with a mobile app.
Yes, you may use a mobile app that operates the vehicle, but even with this technology, it is often a requirement that you have your key on you, and most of the time you cannot even get it moving without the key.
Types of Car Keys & Cost to Replace
#1. Traditional Key.
Older vehicles typically come equipped with a regular type of key, similar to what you use on a house or other locks, and typically it does not do anything to unlock the trunk, doors, or gas tank.
A traditional key does not have much security since it usually can be copied for only a few dollars; and if you lose yours, you have an advantage with this type of key since it is easy to replace if lost.
#2. Remote-Controlled Key.
You can have a traditional key that has a remote-control capability, which does not change the way you would start your vehicle; however, it can provide additional functionality.
Typically, the remote is used to disable or arm the security system and to unlock and lock the doors. Having a replacement key is inexpensive, but having a new remote can become a bit pricey, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
#3. Transponder Key.
This key type was introduced back in the 1990s. It’s also referred to by another name, which is a chip key. It looks like a traditional key but is more secure due to the chip it contains which emits a signal to the ignition coil.
Those codes between the part inside the car, or the receiver, and the part integrated inside the key, or transmitter, are identical to the receiver. When the engine sees that they are the same, it turns the engine on.
There’s also a rolling code transponder model, which is more advanced in response to security. When the key is used, it generates a different code each time. This prevents it from being easily cloned. There is a cost associated with a transponder key, and it may run upwards of $150 to $225.
#4. Smart Key.
This car has keyless start. You can keep the key in your pocket and you can still allow the car to start the engine.
When your key is in the vicinity of the car, the car unlocks the vehicle and starts the ignition. When this happens, the key is not stuck in the ignition and you simply push the button to start the engine.
You need to call the dealer or a locksmith to get another key. Obviously, this is not cheap; expect to pay between $75 and $450.
#5. Digital Key.
The digital key is a new technology that only a handful of manufacturers (e.g., BMW) use. It lets you unlock the car and start the ignition using a mobile phone app.
This technology makes certain that the car doesn’t lock if your phone is still inside the car otherwise you would not able to get back into the car. There are also questions about the safety of this system and how easy it would be to hack.