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Hotwire 1969 vette

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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 08:46 AM
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Default Hotwire 1969 vette

I purchased a 1969 vette last week and the dash is completly out of the dash and I would like to try and start the car first before working on the wiring. That being said, how do I hotwire the car without using the ignition switch on the steering column (I am assuming at this point that it is disconnected also.) Thanks again
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 10:45 AM
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Hook a 12 volt hot to the in side of the ballast resistor and jump the starter solinoid with a screwdriver.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 11:07 AM
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Are you talking about the positive side of the coil?
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 11:10 AM
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Alligator clip from the alternator + lug, to the ballast resistor, not the coil directly.
If you hook to the coil directly, dont do it very long, it will overheat.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 11:19 AM
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Just one word of caution:

If you have a manual transmission, make positively sure the transmission is in neutral before doing this.
The clutch safety switch is bypassed in this situation and the starter will roll the car very easily.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 11:23 AM
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Where is the location of the ballast resistor?
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 12:20 PM
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It is mounted on the firewall. It is a white ceramic piece about 4" long and 1/2" wide with an in and an out. Reduces voltage to the coil.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 63mako
It is mounted on the firewall. It is a white ceramic piece about 4" long and 1/2" wide with an in and an out. Reduces voltage to the coil.
Not on a '69 (at least not on a LATE one for sure - and I believe it is the same for all '69)...
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 01:10 PM
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Do 69s run a ballast resitor wire (cloth covered wire to coil). I though they went to a resistor in 69.
If so, just hook it to the + coil directly. Worst case, you'll burn up a $20 coil.
Originally Posted by pws69
Not on a '69 (at least not on a LATE one for sure - and I believe it is the same for all '69)...

Last edited by Garys 68; Feb 2, 2009 at 01:16 PM.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Garys 68
Do 69s run a ballast resitor wire (cloth covered wire to coil). I though they went to a resistor in 69.
If so, just hook it to the + coil directly. Worst case, you'll burn up a $20 coil.
Yes, resistor wire.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 01:44 PM
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My bad. I think the 68 had a ballast resistor. 69 could be the year they changed.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by pws69
Yes, resistor wire.

Now I am confused. Does it or does it not have a resistor ballast in 1969 and and how do I jump it either way?
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 02:36 PM
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It has a ballast resistor if you have a rectangular small ceramic resistor that's attached to the firewall. A wire from that will go to the + terminal on the coil.
If so, attach the jumper wire from the + alternator post to the other terminal of the ballast resistor.
If you dont have an obvious ballast resistor, it could use a resistor wire within the wiring. It is usually cloth covered. That's more dificult to find.
In that case, just connect the jumper to the coil. Leaving this connected for a long time will burn up the coil, but like I said, they're only $20.
Now make absolutely sure the parking brake is on and the car's in neutral. If not, this next step will send you to the ER.
Use an insulated screwdriver to jump between the large battery post on the starter and the start terminal on the solenoid. This will crank the motor over. There are 2 small posts on the solenoid, if one doesn't work, try the other.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Garys 68
It has a ballast resistor if you have a rectangular small ceramic resistor that's attached to the firewall. A wire from that will go to the + terminal on the coil.
If so, attach the jumper wire from the + alternator post to the other terminal of the ballast resistor.
If you dont have an obvious ballast resistor, it could use a resistor wire within the wiring. It is usually cloth covered. That's more dificult to find.
In that case, just connect the jumper to the coil. Leaving this connected for a long time will burn up the coil, but like I said, they're only $20.
Now make absolutely sure the parking brake is on and the car's in neutral. If not, this next step will send you to the ER.
Use an insulated screwdriver to jump between the large battery post on the starter and the start terminal on the solenoid. This will crank the motor over. There are 2 small posts on the solenoid, if one doesn't work, try the other.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 63mako

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the information. BTW, corvette is an auto.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 06:30 PM
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Make sure that auto is in park. The neutral safety switch could also be disconnected.
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 06:54 PM
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1967 was the last year a ballast resistor was installed at the factory for Corvettes.

If your steering column is still in your 69 just turn the key and see if it will start the car.

Last edited by 70ZZ3 96LT4; Feb 2, 2009 at 07:00 PM.
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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 06:41 AM
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First off. There is no ballast resistor on a 69. They use a resistor wire.

You will need a full 12 volts to the coil to start the car. Run a wire from the hot lead on the alt. to the + side of the coil. To make things easy go to an auto parts store and buy a remote starter button. It will hook to the starter with two clips and then you can start the car without laying under it trying to jump the starter with a screwdriver.

And you will need to be topside to work the carb and watch for problems.
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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 04:25 PM
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something smells funny...
whats that smell..

OH! It's THIS THREAD!
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 09:51 PM
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I am still having problems starting this thing. Jumper wire from plus side of alternator and remote trigger to starter. Turns over but does not fire. I put new points and condensor but still no fire. Any more ideas? Netural safety switch wires have been cut (not my doing).

Last edited by iceref63; Mar 9, 2009 at 10:02 PM.
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