Preventing theft...under the hood

[HawkeyeScott]

I just read in the local paper that thieves are targeting Jeep Cherokees and they're doing it near where I live. (Maybe they got a master key?) I park mine on the street in front of our house, but will start parking in the driveway behind the house.

With that said, could I go under the hood and do something quick that would keep the car from starting IF they got in it? I'm thinking something harder to diagnose than a simple battery cable disconnect, but maybe a step or two shy of pulling the motor out. I would afterall, have to re-do it every morning.

A weird question I know, but I could use the help! Thanks.

 

[Schmoe]

You could put in a hidden kill switch under the dash or someplace that only you'd know where it would be. Find the lead ignition wire and tap into that with a simple toggle switch. Or, put in a fuel cutoff switch.

 

[jldcol]

A easy thing to do is to pull the fuse out that powers the fuel pump. Of cource if you do this enough the contacts in the fuse block may weaken.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: Schmoe
You could put in a hidden kill switch under the dash or someplace that only you'd know where it would be. Find the lead ignition wire and tap into that with a simple toggle switch. Or, put in a fuel cutoff switch.


The kill switch idea is a good one, just be careful not to place it where it could get bumped while you're driving, that could prove interesting

 

[c3po]

I would get something to cover up your VIN on your dash, in my area thieves were going around copying VIN numbers and then going to the dealer and getting keys made up.

The other thing you can do is put a kill switch on the ignition wire.

I think they sell something that attaches to your battery, I think it is a battery cut off switch.

 

[HawkeyeScott]

I like that fuse idea. I'm looking for something to do until they catch the bastages. Couple weeks or so I would imagine. But my Jeep sits right out in front on a pretty busy street. I would be so MAD if I lost this car. I've maintained it the past 5 years to keep it for a long time. So with the economy the way it is, theft and wreck scare me more than ever.

Just talked to my mechanic. He mentioned a toggle switch and the fuel pump relay under the hood. Great minds...

 

[ViragoBry]

Whenever I have to leave my car (Mazdaspeed 6) at the airport, I pull the fuel pump, ECU and starter fuses out of the underhood fuse box and take them on my trip with me. Even if they somehow defeat the alarm and get the ignition turned on, all the lights will work and everything will appear normal, but the car won't start. And if they try to push start it, it won't run.

If they want the car badly enough, they're gonna have to push it uphill out of the parking garage, and then drag it up on a flatbed tow truck once outside. It can be done, but I have my doubts that anyone is going to go through all that trouble.

 

[jldcol]

Is the fuse box under the dash, or somewhere else? If a spade type fuse tie a string around it and leave enough to make a loop. When pull in and stop just grab loop and pull out, quick and easy.

 

[eljefino]

I like the vin covering (just use a candy wrapper so it looks accidental) and fuel pump cutout. Genius of the fuel thing is it'll start and sputter and die, more frustrating for the theif.

You could also devote a little used switch, like RR power window down, as an integrated part of a starter interrupt. Use a relay if it's too light duty. Could also use fan high, even the horn, something you can do quickly without drawing attention like aftermarket wiring.

 

[TooManyWheels]

There used to be hoodlocks operated from the interior with a key-operated armored cable. The one I have also has a starter interupt built-in, so when the hood is locked the starter is dead. It has a special hardened lock cylinder and irregular key which can not be duplicated or picked. I don't remember the brand but will look it up if you are interesed.

 

[meep]

remove wire between spark coil and distributor

 

[demarpaint]

Kill switches and fuel cut offs work well. I made in interesting little devise that worked very well. A little bracket that was welded to the floor of the car, with a flat piece of steel mounted on a swivel. The steel swung up and lined up with the brake pedal which had a hole drilled into it. Flip the steel bar up, and lock it to the brake pedal, with a master lock. Thief can't press the brake pedal down, car won't come out of park unless the pedal is depressed, and even if you could get the car into gear you can't stop it. The metal is the thickness of a bed frame, I installed quite a few for friends and family. The installation looked good and didn't get into the way of anything. Wish I had a picture to post, if you're handy and get the idea of what I am trying to convey it is quite easy to make, and unless the thief has a hack saw and a lot of time its not coming apart easily. It can also be rigged to the clutch petal. HTH

 

[StevieC]

My dad used to use relays in line with the ignition switch and wire it to devices like the brakes and the interior light. So you had to have your foot on the brake and the door open for the relays to complete the circuit and start the car... None of the cars he wired these up on were ever stolen... Attempts yes, but never moved!

Take that you thugs!!!!

 

[PandaBear]

Layer security devices like kill switch, low jack, alarm system, secondary battery for the alarm, etc.

If they want your car/truck bad enough, they will get it with a tow truck. Covering up the vin may not be a good idea if you may get a parking violation, and turns into a towaway because they can't get your vin on the ticket (this happens as someone intentionally cover their vins on new cars before the plates arrive).

 

[StevieC]

Don't have to worry about the VIN in Canada. You are issued numbered plates with the new vehicle or when you change the ownership. We don't drive around with temporary plates like you do. If you have a temporary permit, then that goes on the windshield and isn't reliant on the VIN# either...

 

[HawkeyeScott]

All great advice and I appreciate it. For tonight I went out, started the Jeep and then pulled the fuel pump relay. It died within 5 seconds. So, unless they have a tow truck or bring an extra relay, it should stay put. (Hopefully these jackholes aren't BITOGers!)

More long term, I really like the idea of a toggle or kill switch that only my wife and I know about.

 

[Donald]

Check your Jeep Cherokee for a broken tailgate lock which you may never notice. With the vehicle locked try and open tailgate. I know of a few people who may have had a broken tailgate lock (in open position) for months or years and only discover it by accident. Its not something you would ever check. Ok maybe the thieves will not check all the locks. But good to check.

 

[StevieC]

Where in the Carolina's did you say this Jeep was parked?

 

[NYEngineer]

Maybe check out a thing called the GPS Snitch. You can find your car on the internet via a map system like Google Earth.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Where in the Carolina's did you say this Jeep was parked?

It looks like StevieC has a 2nd job, is Mori riding shotgun.