Putting a car in neutral without having the key | FerrariChat

Putting a car in neutral without having the key

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by FarmerDave, Jun 23, 2006.

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  1. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    Jul 26, 2004
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    At one of our rent houses, the tenants we just evicted left a ~'95 Chevrolet Lumina parked on the side of the house. We've tried to contact them but haven't been successful. I called the police, they ran the plates, and it does indeed belong to the former tenants and has not been reported stolen.

    It's obvious they didn't want the car, because they had the capability to remove a 10x14 storage building! from the backyard before they left, so if they could move that they could certainly remove a junker car if had they wanted to.

    We need to remove this car today, as we have new tenants moving in. The doors are unlocked. This side of the house is not accessable by the tow truck, so we need to put in neutral to move it around the back of the house and out on to the street.

    Feel free to PM me if your ideas involve methods that could be read and implemented by a car thief.
     
  2. f1_nix

    f1_nix Formula 3
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    Aug 12, 2005
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    Use a winch and just drag it out where a tow truck can reach it. Or if it is on a hard surface put a lift with casters under each wheel and roll it away.
     
  3. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    The tow truck driver will know what to do. Do you think repos are left in neutral?
     
  4. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    Unfortunately it's on soft earth, and it's in a really tight spot where a tow truck can't get to it with a winch. The tow truck people won't help me until it's on the street.
     
  5. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    Can you get under it? The tranny being in park won't matter if the CV joints are cut in half.
     
  6. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
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    It will definitely cause damage, but if you break away the plastic cover around the steering column right above the ignition, you can use a screw driver to try to start the car. I'm assuming it won't start, but if you get to that point, I'm sure it will go into neutral.

    The reason why I know this is because my friend owns a junk yard and we had yard cars that we would use to retrieve parts from several hundred yards away. Popping the column was the only way to start several of the yard cars. Each one is a little different, so you just have to get it open and play around with it.
    Since you probably know how to take apart guns and put them back together, I'm sure you'll figure it out.
     
  7. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    Do you want to keep it? Just ram it into neutral. If you do, just hotwire it. Do a google search, you'll find plenty of websites telling you how to. Or, hire a towing company and charge the bill to the people you evicted.
     
  8. taber

    taber Formula 3

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    Like you're ever going to see that bill paid.

    Break the steering column and jam a screwdriver in the ignition. It's "ghetto" but that should work even on a 1994 car.
     
  9. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    Not his problem. The towing company should chase them down. They left the car, they should pay for it. Or just sell the car on ebay "as is"
     
  10. Seth

    Seth Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2004
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    the transmisson wont shift w/o the key?? odd... ha, i know on at least 95' mercedes key or no key the transmission will shift...
     
  11. Buzz48317

    Buzz48317 F1 Rookie

    Dec 5, 2005
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    #11 Buzz48317, Jun 23, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    I would suck at stealing cars.
     
  13. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    Find someone who has a pickup truck, get a chain, connect the two, step on the gas. Easiest way without breaking through window/steering columns/shifters/etc.
     
  14. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    If only I knew someone with one of those pick up truck things...
     
  15. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    Rent one of those U-Haul in town vans for $20/day. I think they're the Ford Econoline vans. Pitch in the $10 for the U-Haul insurance in case **** goes wrong. ;) Or find a dude with a pickup and pay him $5 to do it for you.
     
  16. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    That's a great idea. Afterwards I can sell chinese-manufactured hi-fi speakers in Home Depot parking lots.... :p
     
  17. taber

    taber Formula 3

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    Did those speakers fall off the truck or did the buyer order too many ?
     
  18. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    I was supposed to deliver them but the dock workers put too many on the van!
     
  19. Horsefly

    Horsefly F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2002
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    How much? I could use a pair to listen to my truck stereo while I'm delivering left over asphalt to the driveways of senior citizens.
     
  20. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    Can I become a seller, too? I heard some NFL players are doing the same and they seem pretty well off if you ask me!
     
  21. Ciao Bello 348

    Ciao Bello 348 Formula 3

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    Im sure im too late to help you, but in the future. Once you get into the car, there should be a neutral safety switch over ride somewhere. Some of the Japanese manufacturers have a slot that looks like a keyhole (it might be covered by a removable plastic panel small in size). You push the key (or something that size) in the hole and it allows the gear shift selector to release.
    It is usually located right by the gear selector.
     
  22. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Just wondering mate.....even if you get the car in neutral, dont you still need the steering wheel unlocked to steer it from around the back of your house to the front. You need the key to do so. Unless it doesnt have a steering lock? :)
     
  23. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    You are spot on. It was when we realized this that we gave up. :)
     
  24. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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  25. switchcars

    switchcars Formula 3

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    call a local car thief.....I'm sure you know somebody who knows somebody....and alert them of the situation....I'm sure it will be gone....if not, they will at least tell you how to move it. :D
     

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