A New York UPS driver says his vehicle wouldn\u2019t start, so he found a creative way to get it running. It involves something you probably have on hand right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a video, he demonstrates his unconventional method of starting his car.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wanna know how deep in the trenches I am?\u201d @silverwithak asks, holding up the cable. \u201cI\u2019ll put you on. Let me show you how I turn my car on now.\u201d<\/p>\n
He then shows the open hood in front of him and reaches into the engine bay, pointing toward the starter solenoid.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow you grab one side right here,\u201d he says, referring to the charger. \u201cYou put that little [expletive] right there.\u201d<\/p>\n
He presses the metal tip of the charger against the solenoid terminal, which causes the engine<\/a> to immediately turn over. \u201cAnd we going with an iPhone charger,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n He adds in the TikTok\u2019s text overlay, \u201cJust throw the whole car out big bro.\u201d<\/p>\n Some viewers found the situation entertaining.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Kia boys could never,\u201d one wrote. \u201cGot nothing me! Hahahaha,\u201d @silverwithak replied.<\/p>\n Can You Start A Car With An iPhone Charger?<\/p>\n While it may look like an unusual hack, what\u2019s happening here is surprisingly simple.<\/p>\n The part he\u2019s touching is the starter solenoid, which is responsible for sending power from the battery to the starter motor. Normally, a driver will trigger that process when they turn the key<\/a> or press the start button.<\/p>\n In this case, that signal isn\u2019t getting through for a reason @silverwithak doesn\u2019t reveal.<\/p>\n When he presses the metal end of the charger against the solenoid terminals, he\u2019s effectively bridging the electrical connection manually and sending power directly to the starter. This forces the engine to crank.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the same basic idea as using a screwdriver to jump a starter, just with a much less conventional tool.<\/p>\n What Happens When A Starter Goes Bad?<\/p>\n The starter is a small but powerful component that uses electricity from the battery to turn over the engine. Without it, the car won\u2019t start.<\/p>\n According to Firestone Complete Auto Care<\/a>, there are several signs that a starter may be failing. These include clicking, grinding, or whirring noises when you start the vehicle, as well as situations where the dashboard lights come on but the engine doesn\u2019t crank.<\/p>\n In some cases, the engine may refuse to start even after a jump, or you might notice smoke coming from the area. A starter that\u2019s been exposed to oil leaks can also fail prematurely.<\/p>\n Common causes for a bad starter include loose wiring, dirty or corroded connections, battery corrosion, and general wear over time.<\/p>\n However, despite how dramatic the video looks, a bad starter doesn\u2019t mean the car is done for.<\/p>\n