Hotwire 1969 vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
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
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
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.
If so, just hook it to the + coil directly. Worst case, you'll burn up a $20 coil.
Last edited by Garys 68; Feb 2, 2009 at 01:16 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
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.
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
resistor
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 33
From: ct
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
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.
