2002 Chevy 1500
Hello,



Long story short. Lost original keys. Have put 2 new tumblers in, which both worked but eventually failed. Had "friend" attempt to put a push button start in it. He failed. Pretty much cut every dang wire underneath steering column. Butchered. I have taken it to two legit mechanics. Both laughed and said take to a dealership. I cannot afford that at this time.



Now, I have it to where I can hot wire it. Starts right up and drives fine. However I have no AC/heat, wipers, cruise etc. I DO NOT care about these things. I just need it to make it to my job around 12 miles trip a day for a month before I can have enough money to purchase new truck.



My question: Am I causing any damage to starter or anything at all by hot wiring it daily?



Thanks for any input

 

sounds like the damage was already done. Starter will be fine, but who knows what you have going on there.

we're heading into winter. The moment you get rain or fog on your windshield you're blind.

 

Thank you for the reply. I appreciate it. I agree with you on fog and rain. I might be able to look at a wiring diagram and put some of it back together.

I do have a follow up question if any can help.

Instead of just touching the wires together bare to start like I have it (I touch 2 to what I assume is the 1 hot wire). Can I extend those wires to a very simple push start (like lawnmower)? And if I do does it need to be ground?

 

here are your electrical schematics. You should put it back together the way it's supposed to go.





...




....