Bypassing a snowblower key is so simple; seriously, like under 10 minutes simple. This might be my shortest article ever.
Why is There a Snowblower Key
For a lot of equipment, an ignition key serves several functions. First, it’s a safety device to prevent inadvertent ignition.
Secondly, it’s a simple theft deterrent. If you don’t have the key, then you can’t start up the machine and drive it away.
In the case of a snowblower, it mainly performs the first function. Since a snowblower is more or less “transportable,” if someone wants to steal it, it doesn’t have to run in order to load it into a truck.
How Does a Snowblower Key Work?
A basic ignition key is designed to break the circuit to the ignition module. When you insert the key and turn it to the crank position, then the circuit is complete. Power is delivered to the ignition module and it can start.
When you turn the key to the off position, that power is again interrupted and no spark is generated; thus, the engine shuts off.
This is a basic two-pole ignition switch. For various machines and vehicles, there are 3 or even 4 positions. Some positions run accessories without engine ignition.
Since most snowblowers don’t have extra functions, a lot of them are the basic two-pole switch. Snowblowers with lights and heated handles and whatnot probably have more than 2 poles.
Most newer snowblowers have a plastic key, so you might be wondering how this works to conduct electricity. The thing is, the key only allows the lock cylinder to turn, so it doesn’t have to be metal to conduct the electricity; that is handled by the internal components of the lock.
Why Would You Bypass a Snowblower Key?
Since it functions as a safety device, why would you want to remove the ability of the switch to perform? Usually, it’s because you lost the key.
A lot of the older machines that I pick up are non-running and missing components. It’s not uncommon for them to be missing key switches.
Tools Needed (Commissions Earned)
How to Bypass a Snowblower Key
Regardless of how many poles are found on your ignition switch, you can perform this “hack.”
All you need is a multimeter, wire strippers and some electrical connectors. Shrink tubing and a heat gun are super helpful as well.
First, you need to get access to the back of the ignition switch. You might have to remove the switch from the machine in order to get to the back of it. Preferably, you can remove whatever you need to in order to access the back of it while it’s on the machine.
Once you can see the terminals of the ignition switch, you need to identify which ones you need to connect.
If you have just two poles, then remove the terminal ends from the ignition key, strip the ends off, and connect the two wires together.
I like to use soldered heat shrink connectors to make these connections, and I also cover that with additional shrink tubing. This does a pretty good job of making a solid connection and protecting it from the elements.
In the event that you have more than two poles, you need to identify which ones go to your accessories. The easiest way to do this is to use the continuity function of your multimeter.
With one probe on the ignition switch terminal, put the other probe at the wire terminal connecting to the device (lights, etc.). If you hear the multimeter beep, that means the path is complete.
In this example, that would mean that the terminal the probe is on is for accessory functions. In this case, you would connect the other remaining wires together as in above.
Keep in mind, doing this will also bypass the accessory functions. In order to use them in the future, you’d have to connect all three wires together.
This would mean that your accessories are “hot” all the time, so to have the ability to shut them off you’d have to wire in a switch of some sort.
Recap
Well, I told you bypassing a snowblower key switch was easy. Once you can grasp the function of the switch then you can understand how the electrical paths are laid out.
Note that this is a very basic explanation and can vary between makes and models. For more complex machines, it’s helpful if you can find an electrical schematic for your specific machine.
Did I forget anything? Let me know in the comments below!
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