How to jump a starter solenoid with a screwdriver

The starter solenoid in your vehicle is the switch that provides power from the battery to the starter motor, which turns over the engine and starts your vehicle. When the solenoid goes out, you can't start your car and are typically left stranded. Solenoids aren't difficult to install, but if your car won't start, you need a way to start the truck one time to get it to the store. This is a dangerous procedure and will cause a shock--but if you have to do it, it can be done.

Step 1

Pop the hood and locate the starter solenoid. It's typically on the fender well of the vehicle, near the battery.

Step 2

Get out the screwdriver and touch the metal end to the post that leads to the starter, opposite to the one that leads to the battery. You're going to turn the screwdriver into a manual switch, bypassing the solenoid in the process.

Step 3

Drop the other end of the screwdriver down, touching the metal on the shaft of the solenoid to both terminals on the solenoid. At the same time, have your assistant turn the ignition to start the vehicle. This will cause a lot of sparks and could pass electrical current through your body if you're not using a rubber-handled screwdriver, so be careful and don't touch the connections for long.

Step 4

Quickly remove the screwdriver from the solenoid. If it's left on too long, it can arc weld itself to both terminals, which is a bad thing. At this point, the vehicle should be running. If not, repeat the process.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver with rubber handle or other long steel implement with rubber handle
• Assistant

Warnings

• By jumping your starter solenoid, you are turning the screwdriver or other metal implement into a manual switch. If you're not careful, you can turn your body into the conduit as well. Plus, if you don't get the screwdriver off of the contacts soon enough, you can burn out the starter motor. This is a dangerous procedure, so don't do it unless you absolutely have to start the vehicle.

Writer Bio

Russell Wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University. He has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles. In 2000 Wood started a career as a writer, and since then he has dedicated his business to writing and photographing cars and trucks, as well as helping people learn more about how vehicles work.

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By jumping your starter solenoid, you are turning the screwdriver or other metal implement into a manual switch. Plus, if you don’t get the screwdriver off of the contacts soon enough, you can burn out the starter motor. This is a dangerous procedure, so don’t do it unless you absolutely have to start the vehicle.

How do you bypass a screwdriver solenoid?

Place the metal blade of an insulated screwdriver across both metal contacts. This bypasses the solenoid and creates a direct connection between the starter motor and the ignition switch.

How do you test a screwdriver solenoid?

You can test a starter solenoid by manually jumping the solenoid as well. Using a long, metal screwdriver, you can test a starter solenoid by placing the screwdriver on the large bolt and battery cable on the front of the solenoid and the small terminal that the starter wire is attached to on the front of the solenoid.

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When a starter goes bad, they will usually not give you much warning first. Also, if you are stuck somewhere and are trying to start your Town Car, the old beat the starter with a hammer trick is not a wives tale. It really can get that one last start out of it. There are a lot of issues that can cause your Town Car to crank, but not start.

Why is my Towncar not cranking when I turn the key?

Use a wire to bypass the trigger for the pull down motor. When the correct connection is made the latch will go up or down. Run the latch down further with the bypass wire and then shut the trunk manually. It will still “remote” open. My towncar will not crank. The solenoid isnt getting 12volts when the key is turned.

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iv’e got a 97 towncar with a 4.6 in it..75,000 miles. 2 weeks ago the car would not start..it would crank over fine but would not fire off. checked fuel pressure, ok. checked for fire to the plugs,ok. came to the conclusion it was the idle circut solenoid. replaced it and the car started right up.