94 Dodge Ram van - failed theft attempt, help with ignition wiring

A friend of mine had his '94 Ram Van nearly stolen the other day. I say 'nearly' because it just looks like they hit the ignition with a hammer a bunch of times and then tore out all the wiring to the ignition from the steering column.

Basically, this doesn't need to be 'fixed', just made drivable for the time being. There's a bundle of wires (6 or so) with spade connectors (IIRC) just hanging down immediately behind the wheel. Anyone have a schematic or any guidance for me? I don't want to go hog wild and just start touching E36 M3 together. It's also a panel van, for what it's worth.

You shouldn't have much to deal with and you can use a digital voltmeter to check what's what. You will have: power in (hot all the time) accessory (goes to the radio etc, not essential) ignition power (essential) and start. Usually there are also other wires for buzzers and crap, they are not essential.

Grab the DVOM and a note pad, ground one of the DVOM leads and set it to the Volt scale. Look for the connector which comes from under the dash to the connector you are talking about. Probe each wire in that connector till you find the Hot one. Note that wire on your note pad.

Now head under the hood and find the ignition resistor. Set the DVOM to Ohms or Continuity, stick one lead on the resistor's terminal and then probe the wires in the connector with the other. Continuity = there's your ignition wire. Write that down. Notice that there will be 4 terminals on the resistor. Two of them go to the ignition system, one goes to the starter and one to the ignition switch, but we won't get into all that now. If you get continuity on all 4 wires, disconnect them from the resistor and probe each wire again. We are looking for The One Wire which goes to the ignition switch.

Now find the starter solenoid (it's on top of the starter) and connect one DVOM lead to the small wire which goes to the 'S' terminal. Now probe the connector with the other end of the DVOM. Continuity = Start wire.

So to start the car, at the connector jumper the Hot to the Ignition wire, this supplies power to the ignition system. You should hear the fuel pump buzz for a second when the connection is made. Now use a temporary jumper from the Hot to the Start wire and it should fire up.

Now you have to deal with the steering lock. If you are lucky, it's a Saginaw column. The lock plate on those is a complete joke. The gangbangers down here disable them by grabbing one side of the steering wheel and yanking it hard like you are trying to steer the car, that rips the teeth out of the lock plate and now you can steer.

You have just hotwired a car. Make sure you get your colors.

of course the rear question is.. why would anybody want to steal a 15 year old van?

Red 12volt supply 1 Pink/black 12volt supply 2 Dk Blue Ingition 1 Blk/wht Ignition 2 Blk/org Accessory Yellow Starter

later, matt

Why would anyone want to steal a 15 year old van? As a parts runner and people hauler for a theft ring....especially since older vehicles have almost no anti-theft devices and old Mopars (according to the local police) are extremely easy to steal.

Thanks a lot for the help, guys! Going to attack it on Monday. Planning a hidden under-dash 'security switch' for 12v to the ignition circuits, then a switch on the dash for 12v to the accessories and a button, which will give 12v to the starter.