Abstract: An anti-theft starting system for automotive vehicles which is characterized in that an unauthorized person attempting to start the vehicle is led to believe that the electrical system of the vehicle is faulty. This is achieved by insertion of a current-limiting means intermediate the starter switch and the starter motor which allows the motor to crank only at a very low current, the impression resulting to the operator that the battery is low, the starter is faulty, or the like. A manually-actuable bypass switch is hidden from view of the driver and must be actuated simultaneously with the ignition switch to bypass the current limiting means.