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If your poor, like myself, and want to slow down a car thief, put in a kill switch. Run the proper gague wire from the primary on the coil to a switch in the c
by icantdrive55 10y ago
If your poor, like myself, and want to slow down a car thief, put in a kill switch.
Run the proper gague wire from the primary on the coil to a switch in the cab. The primary wires are the small wires on the coil. (I can't think of any reason the ECU would throw a trouble code.)
It gets more complicated if you have a separate distributor running to each cylinder, but there's always a point in the electrical system you can splice into, like the starting system.
When completed, just get onto the habit of turning the switch on off, and on.
(I have noticed a lot of old Japanese vehicles being stolen in the Bay Area. Go figure?)
- _Adam 10y agoIt would easier in a newer car to interrupt one of the leads to/from the ECU, which is already located in the cabin. There's so many electrical systems in a modern car; interrupt just one and it's going nowhere.
- a3n 10y ago> (I have noticed a lot of old Japanese vehicles being stolen in the Bay Area. Go figure?) Parts? Old Japanese cars are still on the road, running well. My son is driving my original purchase 1990 Honda.
- Niten 10y ago> Old Japanese cars are still on the road, running well. My son is driving my original purchase 1990 Honda. I recently moved out to the Bay Area from south Florida, and one thing that really struck me was how many y2k-ish cars were on the road looking practically new. I think it's mostly a matter of climate. I would have loved to keep my 2000 Integra on the road, but the unholy combination of Florida's sun and humidity brought an early death to its paint, body, grommets and bushings. In contrast, I regularly see Integras in the Bay Area that look as though they could have rolled out of the factory five years ago.
- DaiPlusPlus 10y agoMy theory for that is different construction materials: cars built in the 1970s and 1980s become rust-buckets quite easily - but cars built after the mid-1990s use considerably better bodywork materials that don't need specialist care to maintain, especially a lot more plastic. I drive a 2013 Ford Focus and the entire front assembly is plastic - no way that's going to rust or corrode. I'm almost looking forward to selling it for a good price after the warranty expires.
- JoeAltmaier 10y agoPlastic has its own issues. Gets brittle exposed to sunlight. Cracks easy. Scratches very easily. Changes color over time. Can't easily be repaired. My old cars, the plastic parts are worse off than metal ones.
- kimshibal 10y agoNFC + PI + Switch
- chrissnell 10y agoThere's a cleaner way. You can use a battery terminal disconnect directly on the battery: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N729FS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_p1xPxbTFM927E https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N729FS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_p1xP... Personally, I drive an old diesel truck and it's as simple as disconnecting the fuel cut-off solenoid wire from the solenoid. Old diesels like mine are terrifically simple and really only have two wires: the starter positive lead and the fuel cut-off lead. The cut-off lead opens a solenoid that lets fuel flow to the motor. Remove power and it shuts the flow and stops the engine. The easiest way stop a completely mechanically injected diesel.
- function_seven 10y agoThat seems like quite a hassle to pop the hood every time you're ready to drive the car, then pop it again when you're done. It also would prevent electronic locks from working. Much simpler to install, for sure. But having a hidden toggle switch somewhere is a lot simpler for every day operation IMO.
- rudedogg 10y agoAnd you'd have to reset your clock, and preset stations. Also the fuel trims the ECU is using would be wiped out. That product is pretty cool though, I didn't know they existed. Makes sense for an RV or something you rarely use.
- asimuvPR 10y agoIt is also not recommended for Euro cars like bmws. They are finicky.
- ibarrajo 10y agoPlease don't do this if your car has oxygen sensors, a catalytic converter or fuel injectors (basically all cars 1980+) Why? Besides polluting more you're going to reset the car's ECU and it takes a few drive cycles in different conditions to properly tune the engine. There are so many things that can affect the tuning, engine wear, fuel quality even the barometric pressure. If the car can't learn that (because it's designed to reset on power loss) you will probably be running a rich A/F mixture that can foul your O2 sensors and 3-way cat. Install an alarm or get a car immobilizer. There is a RFID immobilizer on ebay for less than 10 bucks..
- cmdrfred 10y agoAdam Corolla recommends this method. He also recommends painting your car stereo bright orange with spray paint to prevent theft.
- asimuvPR 10y agoAll modern cars have individual coil packs. The way to do it is to intercept the signal to the starter or to the fuel pumps. Both are accessible from the cabin. Older japanese cars are stolen due to the import tuner scene. The older hondas and nissans are easy to steal and sell in parts. A honda B18C engine still costs around $1000. This one is found in third generation acuda integras (gsr model). Even newer ones like the Honda s2000 get stolen for interior parts (seats and gauge cluster).
- Unklejoe 10y agoYeah, a GSR around here doesn't last long before getting stolen. A type R is even shorter lived. People steal those for all sorts of parts. The first one that comes to mind is the 5 lug hubs.
- asimuvPR 10y agoI die a little every time a Type R gets stolen. They are amazing cars. Its awful when people use them to modify their lesser chassis.
- ComodoHacker 10y agoYes, my elder brother did it ~20 years ago. But isn't it the first thing a skilled car thief is looking for when a car doesn't start?
- ehnto 10y agoFunny you mention old Japanese cars, as mine was stolen (and subsequently found) just a few days ago. 90's era Japanese cars are notoriously easy to steal, and the only thing that stopped them was the immobiliser kicking back on. When they initially took it, the immobiliser was off thanks to a mistake on my part, but it automatically re-activates when the car is turned off. To get it home after it was found, I actually started it with a plastic spoon thanks to the minor "productivity hacks" they had applied to it. Keyless start! The window and door were fine, because all you need to get into the door is a coat hanger down the window sil. Given enough time, I suspect they would have gotten through the immobiliser fairly easily, and I honestly don't think a kill switch would slow them down much either as to be convenient, they need to be in the cabin. My last car had a kill switch, and it was a big red button underneath the steering column. They're going to figure it out, but it might slow them down enough to consider giving up. Car alarms are next to useless, no one cares or checks, but a good immobiliser will at least push it past the "easy grab" realm of opportunity. Unfortunately not until after they've broken in, taken your stuff and broken your key barrel though.
- morganvachon 10y agoI have a great theft deterrent on my truck and Bronco II: Manual transmission. Most people in my area under 25 years old don't have a clue how to start or drive one, and the Bronco won't let you start it without the clutch disengaged (so no push starting). Of course, this varies by location; I'm in the US where manuals are being phased out[1]. When I was growing up it was the other way around; you had to request (and pay more for) an automatic if you didn't want the "standard" transmission. [1] http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/manual-transmissions-are-dying-how-we-lost-touch-with-the-clutch.html/?a=viewall http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/manual-transmissions-a...
- TamDenholm 10y agoYeah i find it bizarre just how many automatics are in America, here in the UK, the only people who drive automatics are people who have difficulty mastering the skill of standard driving (ie a manual).
- varjag 10y agoThere's no reason for manual really unless you do races or don't want to pay premium for auto. As I understand, there's no financial disincentive for automatic in America, hence most opt for the most convenient option.
- Casseres 10y agoThe slightly better gas mileage? Though now with CVTs that are computer-controlled, they get better gas mileage than cars with standard/maunual transmissions.
- Mekkanox 10y agoFor at least a few years now, even conventional "slushbox" automatics get better mileage than a manual transmission when in the same car. Lower maintenance costs are usually mentioned as an advantage of manual over automatic, but slushboxes have been around for quite a while now. With routine maintenance and average use (meaning no launch control usage or burnouts), both types will last forever.