Hotwiring a vehicle

Since this is a developing faction, most of the people in it wouldn't be hardcore killers for hire and what not. So here's an easy way to hotwire a car and bring the cash into your characters pockets.
If you're considering hot-wiring your car, chances are you're already in dire straits. Before making things worse by removing the ignition cover and making a general mess of your vehicle, it might be worth trying the old "screwdriver in the ignition" trick. All this calls for is inserting a slotted screwdriver in the ignition and turning it over like a regular key. If the car starts, you've saved yourself the hassle and electrical hazards of hot-wiring.

No such luck? Don't fret. You'll still need the screwdriver for the following steps. Just be sure not to get it stuck in the ignition cylinder.
Remove the ignition cover
Before continuing, be sure to exercise extreme caution. The following steps can result in painful electrical shocks, so follow the instructions carefully.


The first step is to gain access to the wiring. Most cars have large plastic panels that snap together and cover the top and bottom of the steering column. You'll want to carefully remove these panels so that the cylinder (and the wires running into it) are exposed. At some point you'll want to put these pieces back together, so be sure to use a feather touch while separating them.
Identify the battery and starter wires

You'll typically see three pairs of wires running into the back of the cylinder. Don't freak out -- each pair just represents a different key position on the ignition. In short, one pair should trigger the battery-only position, another pair the lights and radio position, etc. Of course, this also means one pair is responsible for the final key position -- starting the car.

Here's where it gets tricky. Everything you need is laid out in front of you, but there's no universal color system for the wires. However, in a pinch the red pair is usually the set that provides power to the car, and the brown (which can be a single wire or a pair depending on the car) handles the starter.
Strip and connect the power wires

Once you've located the wires that provide power to the car, disconnect them from the cylinder. Use the wire stripper to remove the plastic from the ends and then twist them together. The fruits of your labor should be obvious -- power to the dashboard, lights, and pretty much everything else in the car.
Connect the starter wires to the power wires

Now things get dangerous. Although connecting the power wires is relatively safe, the wires responsible for starting the car carry live current. Under no circumstances should you touch the bare starter wires! With that in mind, strip the insulation off the ends of the wires and carefully touch them together. You should see a spark and hear the engine fire up. Once it's started idling, separate and cover the ends of the starter wires. They still pose an electrical hazard even after the vehicle has started, and you don't want them dangling around your knees.

TIP: This process may be slightly different for older cars. If you discover that the vehicle has a single starter wire (as opposed to a pair), you'll want to disconnect and handle the wire in the same fashion mentioned above. To start the car, the starter wire must come in contact with the connected power wires. Once the engine has started, remove the starter wire from the circuit and cover its exposed tip.