UPS Driver Jumps Car with iPhone Charging Cable, Stuns Internet

A New York UPS driver recently shared a video on TikTok showing his delivery van wouldn’t start—so he pulled out an iPhone charging cable, touched its metal connector to the starter solenoid in the engine bay, and successfully ignited the engine. As he performed the makeshift fix, he joked, “Look how desperate I’ve become!” In reality, this is an emergency workaround that manually completes the starting circuit—similar to using a screwdriver to short-circuit the solenoid. While it may seem like magic, it actually indicates an underlying issue with the vehicle’s starting system, such as a worn-out starter motor, loose wiring, or poor electrical contact. Experts note that replacing a starter motor typically costs between $150 and $1,100—not nearly enough to warrant writing off the entire vehicle. Many online commenters quipped, “Even Kia owners couldn’t pull this off,” while others warned that the maneuver carries risks and shouldn’t be attempted by others.