Anti-theft and clutch bypass?

TURBOTAIL

MEMBER
2000 CHEVROLET S-10
2.2L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
170,000 MILES

The red light under dash is working for alarm but 3 wires not hooked up, so pushing clutch in to start will not start. I heard about a 'paperclip bypass you can use with a paperclip inserted into the clutch bypass module. Will this method work since the red light under dash is on? Any other help would be greatly appreciated. I know I'm reaching, but the truck has been down for months and I can't afford to have it towed to fix it. I just need to get it running. It will still start rolling downhill. Thanks!

Monday, June 16th, 2025 AT 3:46 PM

3 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,231 POSTS

The S10 didn't have a light under the dash for the factory alarm system, it had a security light in the cluster. Never heard of any paper clip trick and there is no "clutch bypass module" just a simple switch on the clutch that allows the power to go to the starter relay. It sounds like someone installed an aftermarket remote start or alarm on it. That is likely the item that is causing the problem. I would look around and see if you can find all the pieces of that and remove them, then repair the wiring as you go.

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Monday, June 16th, 2025 AT 4:10 PM

TURBOTAIL

MEMBER
30 POSTS

Ok, sounds like that's what I'm going to have to do.

Thanks!

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Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 AT 11:58 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,231 POSTS

It's unfortunately a common issue with aftermarket pieces like that. People get them installed by "professionals" who were flipping burgers the day before. Then a connection fails, or the control box goes belly up and the fun begins. If you find the pieces you can usually look up the model and get the installation instructions to show you what was tapped into or cut to install it. Then you can reverse the process to remove it.

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Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 AT 1:13 AM