We, technicians, use hotwiring way more than carjackers. You won’t believe how many people come to the garage with their keys lost. The 1994 Chevrolet is one model that has too many flimsy owners.
To start the truck without the key, you essentially have to end the power of the battery to the spark plug. The lock is the break in the circuit that prevents the flow of current. You can cut the wires of the two sides and attach them or use some simple tools to get your chevy roaring again.
In this article, we describe two of the easiest way you can turn on your 94 chevy without a key. There are all kinds of tips to do it in the most efficient way and a lot of other information.
How to Start a 94 Chevy Truck without the Key: (A Step-by-step Guide)
I’ll be guiding you on two practical methods that worked for me throughout my career in starting older Chevy trucks (without the key). These are:
- Hotwiring and
- Screwdriver Technique
Check out the step-by-step guide below to implement them in my way!
method 01: Hotwiring the 94 Chevy Truck
Hotwiring is the process of bypassing the ignition switch and starting the vehicle without the key. Some think it’s not safe, but I say it is! Just follow the below steps carefully.
Step 1: Unscrew and Remove the Panel Covering
First, you’ve to unscrew (with a screwdriver) and remove the panel covering from the steering column and ignition system. Then access the ignition harness of your Chevy. You should find the screws located beneath the steering wheel for the 94 models.
Step 2: Disconnect the Wires Connected to the Ignition
Now disconnect the wires connected to its ignition system. You’ll find the wire going into the ignition switch on its backside. Pull the boot of the cable upward to remove it. You mustn’t pull on the cable itself; just pull on the boot only.
Step 3: Figure Out the Wiring Diagram
For a successful hotwire, I want you to be dead accurate with the wiring diagram of your Chevy 94 truck. The wiring diagram will help you identify the cables of the battery, ignition, and starter.
From my experience, I can say the battery cables are generally red, the starter cables are purple or yellow, and the ignition cables are pink or brown. You can download the wiring diagram for the 94 Chevy from the AutoZone website to verify them.
Step 4: Strip the Wires
After locating all three wires, you’ve to strip them with a plier or wire stripper. Take the wire stripper and strip all these cables for around 1 inch.
Step 5: Twist the Red Wires to Connect Them
Now twist the red wires together to see if they supply electricity properly. The connection will ensure electricity for the ignition components, enabling the engine to run once you turn the starter.
Step 6: Twist the Ignition Wire and the Battery Wire
Now, if you are absolutely sure about your wires, you can move on to this step.
Twist the ignition and battery cable together, and you should see a slight spark after connecting them. But that’ll only happen if you’ve found the correct wires; otherwise, something terrible could have happened.
If it’s successful, you should hear the ignition in your Chevy turned on and hear the fuel pump starting.
Step 7: Connect the Starter and Battery Cable (very carefully)
Now attach the end of the starter cable to the connected battery cables. You don’t have to twist it on; simply hold them together for a couple of seconds to start the vehicle.
Once your Chevy starts, you’ve to detach the starter cable from the battery but still let the battery and ignition connected together. You’re done! But if you notice anything with the starter, bench testing can help you determine any possible issue.
method 02: Starting the 94 Chevy Truck with a Screwdriver
If you don’t want to opt for hotwiring technique, you still have a good way to start the truck without the key. And that’s by using a flathead screwdriver.
Here we will be talking about how to start a truck with a screwdriver.
Step 1: Take Precautionary Measures
Before applying the method, take all the precautionary measures like moving the gear in the neutral position, pulling the hand brakes, and putting a brick behind your tires. Also, be equipped with insulating rubber gloves and safety goggles.
Step 2: Take the Screwdriver, Put It in the Ignition Center and Rotate
Get your toolbox and bring out the screwdriver. Then put it in the ignition center to gently stick the half of the screwdriver in the ignition spot. Now rotate the screwdriver clockwise only once. You should see the lights and meter turning on but not the engine.
Step 3: Locate the Starter Motor
Take the screwdriver out while keeping the ignition center ON. Then locate the starter motor that starts the engine. It’s round in shape and should be around the battery. You should also see the solenoid at the top with two cables attached to the starter; one’s shorter and the other one’s larger.
Step 4: Remove the Covering
Since you’ve figured out the motor wires, you can now strip the wire with a wire stripper and remove the plastic cover of the cables.
Step 5: Use the Screwdriver to Start the Truck
Now bring the screwdriver near the starter motor and put the end of the screwdriver on the larger wire’s threaded stems. Keep it in this state and push it against the smaller wire’s threaded stem. It should fire up a tiny spark as the engine will start turning over. Hold the screwdriver for a few seconds, and the engine should start soon after the spark.
You’re welcome!
Other Models with Similar Starting Methods
Generally, trucks that were made in the 90s or older can be started without a key using similar hotwiring methods as the 1994 Chevrolet pickup. But it won’t work on the models made after the 90s for their modern anti-theft systems like ignition immobilizers or RFID keys.
Tips for Starting the Chevy without Key
Besides my immense success, I also had some bitter experiences while starting a vehicle without the key. So I want to share some tips here that can help you avoid an unwanted situation when you turn your ignition without a key.
- For hotwiring, be absolutely careful with the wiring diagram
- Keep the gears in neutral and apply the emergency brake before attempting these methods
- Rev the engine a couple of times to avoid the truck getting stalled out when applying hotwiring
- If you’re using the screwdriver method, make sure to use a flathead screwdriver with a plastic/rubber back
people also ask (FAQs)
If you still have some queries left, check out the answers to some of the FAQs on the topic.
Can these methods be applied to stealing? If so, what is the security of my truck?
Yes, the methods like starting the vehicle with hotwiring or a screwdriver (without a key) can be applied to steal older vehicles such as the 94 Chevy truck.
But you can still ensure the security of your truck by installing a ‘kill switch’ that can cut power to the starter relay. And to prevent bridging the relay, you’ve to use a protective shield to prevent access to the hood. You can learn more anti-theft techniques here.
How do you fix an ignition switch?
Generally, it’s the faulty wiring or corrosion that creates issues in an ignition switch, and they’re hard to fix.
You can fix the wiring and remove corrosion with the help of a certified mechanic, but it’s better to replace the complete unit.
Can a car that has no gas be hotwired?
No, a car that has no gas or fuel can’t be hotwired. It’s because the fuel is a must for creating an explosion with the spark. So a vehicle can’t start without enough fuel or gas; hence it’s meaningless to bypass your transponder in this case.
Is it possible to hotwire a vehicle without cutting wires?
No, hotwiring or bypassing your ignition switch without cutting wires isn’t possible.
94 chevy 5.7 350 no start, diagnosed and fixed >> Check out the videos:
Final Words
I think that sums everything up. You have the two easiest methods described here with all the other information you might need to start a 94 chevy without the key.
As a matter of fact, you can use these methods with any old models to Bypass the ignition switch. Just make sure that you know what you’re doing. Don’t guess.
