Challenge for ERAChas...

[patrickt]

... or anyone else, I suppose, except Bob. OK, Chas... tackle this one: You're out in your ERA Cobra, and you lose your ignition key. The only tools you have are a screwdriver, and a three inch piece of wire (ends conveniently stripped). It's too dark for you to see or feel for the back of the ignition switch behind the dash (plus your back is out), so you can't do it that way for this exercise. Using nothing more than your three inch piece of wire and a screwdriver, how would you hotwire and start your car in one minute or less? Mind you there are no "sneaky word-tricks" to this; you should be able to do it with just the one piece of wire and screwdriver. Also, the solution must work regardless of whether you're running an original points/condenser system or a new style MSD or Mallory electronic ignition -- and you can't "steal a wire" from somewhere else on the car, either.

[kgs365]

is this really a good idea ...its like telling everyone here is a where I hide the key to my safe.

[392cobra]

Connect wire from Bat terminal on solenoid to I terminal.
Use screwdriver from Bat terminal to S terminal.

Be sure it's out of gear first.

[209]

I guess that's assuming your hood isn't locked?? 209

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 392cobra

Connect wire from Bat terminal on solenoid to I terminal.
Use screwdriver from Bat terminal to S terminal.

Be sure it's out of gear first.

The screwdriver won't reach around from the S to the Bat terminal, so you just go from S to I. Full credit, though. Damn that Chas for sleeping in late -- I just know he couldn't figure it out. He's "electrically" challenged, you know.

[DanEC]

A wire from positive on coil to positive on battery and jump the starter relay with the screwdriver. Don't know how your going to get from the coil to the battery with only 3 inches of wire however??????????

What's the answer?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

What's the answer?

392Cobra gave the correct answer. You use the wire to jumper from the battery post on the starter solenoid to the I post which runs to the ballast resistor. You then use the screwdriver to touch between the S and I terminals to crank the starter. The car then starts and runs, but half the electrical system, including signals and lights, will not work. Now, if Chas. would just log in I could ask him how he would enable the rest of the electrical system with a single one-inch wire.

[LMH]

How did this happen to come up for discussion though? Did you loose your keys?
Larry

[blykins]

Originally Posted by LMH

Did you loose your keys?

No, it was much more than that...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by LMH

How did this happen to come up for discussion though? Did you loose your keys?
Larry

I thought I did, Larry, but it turned out the key was in a seam in my trouser pocket. Soooo, while I was looking in all the places the key was not, I was also thinking how I would hotwire the car to get home. And then I found the key.

[sexzsn8k]

I would wrap the wire around my index finger as a reminder, grab the screwdriver by the shaft, tap it with vigor on top of my head for being so *&^$ to loose my key, and then reach for the Hide-a-Key and go home !

[rodneym]

Chas must be polishing his mags.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I thought I did, Larry, but it turned out the key was in a seam in my trouser pocket.

Trouser? When were you born? The 1800's?

Please don't say the "M" word. I might have a seizure.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Trouser? When were you born? The 1800's?

Please don't say the "M" word. I might have a seizure.

No, that subject has gone on and on ag nesium. Dang, that was clever.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

No, that subject has gone on and on ag nesium. Dang, that was clever.

You can regale yourself and your buddies with that one next time you take your ERA to the oyster bar.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You can regale yourself and your buddies with that one next time you take your ERA to the oyster bar.

I would even buy Chas an oyster. Perhaps he's under the weather, it's rather unusual for him to remain silent, as captious as he is.

[rodneym]

Trousers? While driving a Cobra?
Patrick, you sir, are a Dandy.
Top of the day to you.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Trousers? While driving a Cobra?
Patrick, you sir, are a Dandy.
Top of the day to you.

Remember when Popeye would say "that's all I can stands; I can't stands no more!" I feel Chas is now reaching for the keyboard with those gnarly, sticky fingers of his....

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Remember when Popeye would say "that's all I can stands; I can't stands no more!" I feel Chas is now reaching for the keyboard with those gnarly, sticky fingers of his....

I think he just figures you're nuts and likely has no desire to play into your brain games derived from sheer boredom.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I think he just figures you're nuts and likely has no desire to play into your brain games derived from sheer boredom.

Now I don't believe that for a minute.