Killswitch wiring
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Killswitch wiring
How would the best way to go by doing this be done? I prefer to do this by doing a fuel kill switch. I currently have a 20Amp rocker switch for it which I assume would be good enough.
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Killswitch wiring
Why not just use the key? Is it mandated by some association that you need one? NHRA has good diagrams for battery cutoff.
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
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From: Melbourne Australia but from South Carolina
Car: 1991 Trans Am convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Re: Killswitch wiring
Usually large and where do you put it? My car was stolen and they took the ignition key from inside the house. If I had a kill switch, they would not have stolen it. Make it simple.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Killswitch wiring
There are a variety of options you can take to prevent your car from driving away. You can hide a small switch almost anywhere that would control a relay which in turn would control power to the ecm or injectors or ignition coil or fuel pump.
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,266
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From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Killswitch wiring
This harness has wiring for a kill switch,.... ( red circle )

The Purple wire to the starter solenoid was cut and a terminal was added to each end. Both ends then get wired to a very simply ON/OFF toggle switch and the switch can be installed anywhere you wish. The car can not not start if there's no power on the Purple solenoid wire......

The Purple wire to the starter solenoid was cut and a terminal was added to each end. Both ends then get wired to a very simply ON/OFF toggle switch and the switch can be installed anywhere you wish. The car can not not start if there's no power on the Purple solenoid wire......
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2015
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
This harness has wiring for a kill switch,.... ( red circle )

The Purple wire to the starter solenoid was cut and a terminal was added to each end. Both ends then get wired to a very simply ON/OFF toggle switch and the switch can be installed anywhere you wish. The car can not not start if there's no power on the Purple solenoid wire......


The Purple wire to the starter solenoid was cut and a terminal was added to each end. Both ends then get wired to a very simply ON/OFF toggle switch and the switch can be installed anywhere you wish. The car can not not start if there's no power on the Purple solenoid wire......

The reason of wanting a switch is, to add an additional level of security possibly to keep my car from being stolen. A relatives member was stolen overnight before when he had a car with alot of aftermarket performance parts then the local police department found his car a few blocks away stripped left on some spare wheels and with just about everything gone overnight. I would like to prevent this from happening even if it's a small amount of decreasing the possibility.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,178
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From: ARIZONA
Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Killswitch wiring
I'm writing code for $8d that will be a killswitch for fuel injectors. No switch for someone to find. It's done with a certain set of inputs under certain conditions. Should be easily added to any ecu after I'm done.
And it's free if you can throw a prom in.
And it's free if you can throw a prom in.
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
Thanks, but for now I prefer to stick to a switch for now.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Northern, CA
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: Killswitch wiring
Just a Chilton's Manual for your car will help.
Here's some wiring diagrams for our cars. Just scroll down and pick your car. Once you find the diagram just click on it to open it in a larger size. These are things that you should know before you start cutting into your harness and putting in kill switches. = http://www.austinthirdgen.org/?pid=19
Then look for a relay that will work for you and place the kill switch on the low amperage ignition source wire ether on the power supply wire going into the relay or on the ground wire coming out of the relay. It done this way so there is now a very small amount of amperage going through the kill switch.
The numbers on the bottom of the relay are there to show where the wires go and the colors of the wire in the diagram are there to help locate them.
A basic kill switch with relay looks like this.
Here's some wiring diagrams for our cars. Just scroll down and pick your car. Once you find the diagram just click on it to open it in a larger size. These are things that you should know before you start cutting into your harness and putting in kill switches. = http://www.austinthirdgen.org/?pid=19
Then look for a relay that will work for you and place the kill switch on the low amperage ignition source wire ether on the power supply wire going into the relay or on the ground wire coming out of the relay. It done this way so there is now a very small amount of amperage going through the kill switch.
The numbers on the bottom of the relay are there to show where the wires go and the colors of the wire in the diagram are there to help locate them.
A basic kill switch with relay looks like this.
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; Mar 9, 2016 at 02:38 AM.
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 157
From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Killswitch wiring
If all he wants is a "don't steal my car switch" then you guys are making this waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy complicated.
The OP's car is a manual.
inkscape - look in your floorboard behind/near the top of the clutch pedal and you'll see a switch. Trace that wiring and cut it in literally any location you wish and wire a toggle switch between the cuts. If you don't want the switch up under the dash then just extend the wiring and put it. . .anywhere.
Now the car can't be stolen.
If what you're looking for is a fuel kill switch then (in a similar fashion) trace the wiring for your fuel pump, splice in wiring for a switch, run the wiring to wherever you want to mount the switch, and boom. done.
The OP's car is a manual.
inkscape - look in your floorboard behind/near the top of the clutch pedal and you'll see a switch. Trace that wiring and cut it in literally any location you wish and wire a toggle switch between the cuts. If you don't want the switch up under the dash then just extend the wiring and put it. . .anywhere.
Now the car can't be stolen.
If what you're looking for is a fuel kill switch then (in a similar fashion) trace the wiring for your fuel pump, splice in wiring for a switch, run the wiring to wherever you want to mount the switch, and boom. done.
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
If all he wants is a "don't steal my car switch" then you guys are making this waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy complicated.
The OP's car is a manual.
inkscape - look in your floorboard behind/near the top of the clutch pedal and you'll see a switch. Trace that wiring and cut it in literally any location you wish and wire a toggle switch between the cuts. If you don't want the switch up under the dash then just extend the wiring and put it. . .anywhere.
Now the car can't be stolen.
If what you're looking for is a fuel kill switch then (in a similar fashion) trace the wiring for your fuel pump, splice in wiring for a switch, run the wiring to wherever you want to mount the switch, and boom. done.
The OP's car is a manual.
inkscape - look in your floorboard behind/near the top of the clutch pedal and you'll see a switch. Trace that wiring and cut it in literally any location you wish and wire a toggle switch between the cuts. If you don't want the switch up under the dash then just extend the wiring and put it. . .anywhere.
Now the car can't be stolen.
If what you're looking for is a fuel kill switch then (in a similar fashion) trace the wiring for your fuel pump, splice in wiring for a switch, run the wiring to wherever you want to mount the switch, and boom. done.
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 157
From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Killswitch wiring
inkscape - The switch I'm referring to is the clutch safety switch, it's a pressure-type switch (think like a button) that gets engaged when the clutch is pressed in. It's a safety feature put on manual cars to prevent them from being started while in gear.
Of course I can't find a decent picture to show you exactly what it looks like, but if your car came from the factory with the T-5 then it's there. Just look towards the top of the clutch pedal arm.
Of course I can't find a decent picture to show you exactly what it looks like, but if your car came from the factory with the T-5 then it's there. Just look towards the top of the clutch pedal arm.
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
inkscape - The switch I'm referring to is the clutch safety switch, it's a pressure-type switch (think like a button) that gets engaged when the clutch is pressed in. It's a safety feature put on manual cars to prevent them from being started while in gear.
Of course I can't find a decent picture to show you exactly what it looks like, but if your car came from the factory with the T-5 then it's there. Just look towards the top of the clutch pedal arm.
Of course I can't find a decent picture to show you exactly what it looks like, but if your car came from the factory with the T-5 then it's there. Just look towards the top of the clutch pedal arm.
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 11
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From: Ozark, AL
Car: 87 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.0
Transmission: T-5
Re: Killswitch wiring
If all he wants is a "don't steal my car switch" then you guys are making this waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy complicated.
The OP's car is a manual.
inkscape - look in your floorboard behind/near the top of the clutch pedal and you'll see a switch. Trace that wiring and cut it in literally any location you wish and wire a toggle switch between the cuts. If you don't want the switch up under the dash then just extend the wiring and put it. . .anywhere.
Now the car can't be stolen.
If what you're looking for is a fuel kill switch then (in a similar fashion) trace the wiring for your fuel pump, splice in wiring for a switch, run the wiring to wherever you want to mount the switch, and boom. done.
The OP's car is a manual.
inkscape - look in your floorboard behind/near the top of the clutch pedal and you'll see a switch. Trace that wiring and cut it in literally any location you wish and wire a toggle switch between the cuts. If you don't want the switch up under the dash then just extend the wiring and put it. . .anywhere.
Now the car can't be stolen.
If what you're looking for is a fuel kill switch then (in a similar fashion) trace the wiring for your fuel pump, splice in wiring for a switch, run the wiring to wherever you want to mount the switch, and boom. done.
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 157
From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Killswitch wiring
It should be fine directly wired, but if you want to put an inline fuse there's no harm in it.
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
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From: Bowdon, GA.
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 355, 10.34:1, 249/252 @.050", IK200
Transmission: TH-400, 3500 stall 9.5" converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9", detroit locker, 3.89 gears
Re: Killswitch wiring
No positive and negative. Both would be positive as the switch breaks the contact.
Same with your kill switch. No positive and negative to it. Just the one wire with a switch inline.
Rather than thinking of it as positive and negative. Think of it as in and out. 12 volt into the switch, 12 volt out of the switch, and the switch makes or breaks the contact.
Same with your kill switch. No positive and negative to it. Just the one wire with a switch inline.
Rather than thinking of it as positive and negative. Think of it as in and out. 12 volt into the switch, 12 volt out of the switch, and the switch makes or breaks the contact.
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
Alright. So I have a toggle switch. 12v Supply, Acc, Ground. I can just cut and wire one of them to "Acc" and supply the 12v to the switch from whatever wire currently running 12v & Ground to a ground?
I'm a beginner with these switches. lol.
Also, the wires are about a what, 12-14 gauge... Should I use wires about the same gauge or are high-gauge speaker wires good enough and safe?
I'm a beginner with these switches. lol.
Also, the wires are about a what, 12-14 gauge... Should I use wires about the same gauge or are high-gauge speaker wires good enough and safe?
Last edited by inkscape; Mar 19, 2016 at 07:54 PM.
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 463
From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Killswitch wiring
Kind of funny, Your putting a kill switch on your factory kill switch !!! Just be sure that you hide it real good !! You don't need ACC power or ground unless the switch has it's own light.
Don't fuse this connection,... it's carries a very considerable load to the solenoid, hence the heavy gauge wire. Use ONLY wire that's at least = to the wires @ the clutch switch if to prevent potential fires.
Don't fuse this connection,... it's carries a very considerable load to the solenoid, hence the heavy gauge wire. Use ONLY wire that's at least = to the wires @ the clutch switch if to prevent potential fires.
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
Well, that "killswitch" is **** for a "dont steal my baby" switch xD.
Anyhow, it does have it's own light. Not really necessary for the light to work on it as they may possibly make it easier to be found... lol.
Aside of that, can someone make a little doddle on how the wiring should go? xD
Anyhow, it does have it's own light. Not really necessary for the light to work on it as they may possibly make it easier to be found... lol.
Aside of that, can someone make a little doddle on how the wiring should go? xD
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 463
From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Killswitch wiring
I'm not much at art,..... But I'd call this a perfect rendition of a kill switch wired:
" / " = Switch
POWER IN > ------------------------- / -------------------- > POWER OUT
" / " = Switch
POWER IN > ------------------------- / -------------------- > POWER OUT
Thread Starter
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
So how is the wiring diagram going to go for this?
Cut 1 wire (i'm just going to use the purple wire since it is already exposed), Connect one end to "Acc" on the switch and connect the other end of the cut wire to what? One on "Acc" and the other on the "12v" pin?
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,266
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From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Killswitch wiring
Run 1 end of the wire to the "IN" terminal
Run the other end of the wire to the "OUT" terminal
If you want the light to work, hook up the GROUND terminal to GROUND.
Run the other end of the wire to the "OUT" terminal
If you want the light to work, hook up the GROUND terminal to GROUND.
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
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From: Bowdon, GA.
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 355, 10.34:1, 249/252 @.050", IK200
Transmission: TH-400, 3500 stall 9.5" converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9", detroit locker, 3.89 gears
Re: Killswitch wiring
Cut the purple wire before it goes to the clutch switch. Now you have 2 ends on purple wire. Add 14 or 12 gauge wire to both ends, add enough to reach where ever you want your kill switch placed.
Hook one of those extended wires to the 12V spot on kill switch and hook the other extended wire to the acc. spot on kill switch.
All a switch does is make or break the connection of the circuit...
Think of it like this... You have two wires with stipped ends so its bare. You touch the wires together and it connects the circuit, That would be the on function of switch.. You take the two stripped ends apart and you just broke the connection.. That is your off function of switch.
Inside a switch you have the wire post on each end sticking up inside the switch, a copper bar inside the switch, when you flip the switch on it moves this copper bar so it can touch each of the wire post. This completes the circuit, flip switch off and the copper bar inside it no longer touches both wire posts. This breaks the circuit
Hook one of those extended wires to the 12V spot on kill switch and hook the other extended wire to the acc. spot on kill switch.
All a switch does is make or break the connection of the circuit...
Think of it like this... You have two wires with stipped ends so its bare. You touch the wires together and it connects the circuit, That would be the on function of switch.. You take the two stripped ends apart and you just broke the connection.. That is your off function of switch.
Inside a switch you have the wire post on each end sticking up inside the switch, a copper bar inside the switch, when you flip the switch on it moves this copper bar so it can touch each of the wire post. This completes the circuit, flip switch off and the copper bar inside it no longer touches both wire posts. This breaks the circuit
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2015
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
Cut the purple wire before it goes to the clutch switch. Now you have 2 ends on purple wire. Add 14 or 12 gauge wire to both ends, add enough to reach where ever you want your kill switch placed.
Hook one of those extended wires to the 12V spot on kill switch and hook the other extended wire to the acc. spot on kill switch.
All a switch does is make or break the connection of the circuit...
Think of it like this... You have two wires with stipped ends so its bare. You touch the wires together and it connects the circuit, That would be the on function of switch.. You take the two stripped ends apart and you just broke the connection.. That is your off function of switch.
Inside a switch you have the wire post on each end sticking up inside the switch, a copper bar inside the switch, when you flip the switch on it moves this copper bar so it can touch each of the wire post. This completes the circuit, flip switch off and the copper bar inside it no longer touches both wire posts. This breaks the circuit
Hook one of those extended wires to the 12V spot on kill switch and hook the other extended wire to the acc. spot on kill switch.
All a switch does is make or break the connection of the circuit...
Think of it like this... You have two wires with stipped ends so its bare. You touch the wires together and it connects the circuit, That would be the on function of switch.. You take the two stripped ends apart and you just broke the connection.. That is your off function of switch.
Inside a switch you have the wire post on each end sticking up inside the switch, a copper bar inside the switch, when you flip the switch on it moves this copper bar so it can touch each of the wire post. This completes the circuit, flip switch off and the copper bar inside it no longer touches both wire posts. This breaks the circuit
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2015
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
So I wired the switch and it works as I wanted to.. I chose to use 10gauge wire instead of 12 or 14. I was hoping to get the led in the switch to work as well, but its not on. I may have the wires connected in the wrong orientation. Pushing the switch to the ground side disables the killswitch allowing the car to turn on.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,099
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From: Melbourne Australia but from South Carolina
Car: 1991 Trans Am convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Re: Killswitch wiring
I wouldnt think you would want the led to work because anyone who wanted to steal your car would be aware of the switch with the light.
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From: California
Car: '91 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L LHO V6
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: GU6 3.42 Open Diff
Re: Killswitch wiring
Indeed. I discovered the led turns on for a quick moment as the car starts then turns off. I may just eventually swap the switch for one that isnt an led and use the current one for a dome light switch as it never turns off.
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From: Bowdon, GA.
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 355, 10.34:1, 249/252 @.050", IK200
Transmission: TH-400, 3500 stall 9.5" converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9", detroit locker, 3.89 gears
Re: Killswitch wiring
Yeah it would be best to get a good metal stem, metal body toggle switch with 2 wire post.
I have seen many of those cheap plastic rocker and toggle switches break with repeated use and that's the last thing you want with a kill switch.
I have seen many of those cheap plastic rocker and toggle switches break with repeated use and that's the last thing you want with a kill switch.
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 157
From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Killswitch wiring
Glad it worked out for ya, a switch like that is one of my favorite little tricks to put on cars.
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