The Club Prevented Theft

[Falken]

Hey guys, I have something that came up a second time, thought I'd post.

My Wife has a 2010 Mazda 3 Hatch (2.0 engine) in silver.

When we both bought our cars the same time (I went with a Honda Fit) I bought a 2-pack of Master brand steering wheel locks. I chose them as they have 4 prongs on them and figured it would be less likely the steering wheel would get cut.

Early January the car was parked in town where it sat on the street for over a week without moving. It was parked with the Club on with the steering wheel perfectly straight.

I was in the West Island, and my Wife told me that when she went to use the car the steering wheel was turned to the right over 45 degrees. The Club bar was PAST the handbrake that was engaged. She took photos.

So, I said someone must have entered the car, and tried to crank on it to get it off to steal the car. I was CERTAIN even before she showed me the photos of the wheel turned.

I inspected the door. No damage. No damage in the car. Everything was fine.

Then I picked up the Club and there is a pin that holds the body chassis of the club to the actual metal bar, and it was floppy and loose. I know it wasn't like that when I bought it, I notice stuff like that. And MY club is solid at that point.

But, doubt sets it, I figure the club settled downwards etc. etc.

The only problem is the club is actually quite light, and wouldn't be able to turn the whole wheel and the tires on the ground. The bar weighs a half pound max.

So, time passes. A week ago, I go to the car, and the Club is angled downward to the right again, to the handbrake in our apartment parking lot.

So, now I really examine what is going on, as I was the one that parked the car and KNEW the wheel was straight dead center (I never park like a Baller with my wheels angled).

This time the factory steering column lock was fully engaged solid. This was the semi-broken club and it still held.

Again, car was not damaged in any way.

I am suspicious that these are failed theft attempts.

What do you guys think is going on??

 

[Shannow]

I had a crooklock (links steering wheel to clutch pedal) prevent a theft once.

As I've aged, and more things have happened to me and my cars, I'm less inclined to use those products these days. A prevented theft (and in my case), some damage while they worked wires etc. and messing around to see if you make the deductible, and how much unrepaired stuff you will wear to keep under it...versus "take it, and I'll deal with the insurer"

Don't ever want a car stolen, and wouldn't be lax about parking/locking...just saying.

 

[Chris142]

If someone is messing with your car everytime its parked its time to move!

 

[Falken]

The first time it happened was in NDG.

This last time it happened was in Dollard des Ormeaux.

If stuff like this is going on in benign areas of town like Dollard I am suspicious that there is new tech going around or the Mazda 3 is a popular theft item.

This has never happened to my Honda Fit, which is higher up on the theft list.

But, my Fit has manual door locks and the other Club on it...

 

[NHGUY]

Put a lockable car cover on it.That should dissuade them.

 

[The_Jeff]

The second time, are you sure the ignition lock was engaged when you left?

I wonder if someone is messing with your car from outside, trying to turn the tires and therefore back-feeding the steering?

 

[bdcardinal]

I have a manual transmission, that would prevent most theft attempts with the younger crowds.

 

[Falken]

No, the second time the factory steering column lock wasn't engaged when the long end of the club was pointing to the 3'oclock position (steering perfectly straight) when I left the car.

When I went into the car, the club was past the handbrake that was pulled up.

When I played with the steering wheel to straighten it out with the key out of the ignition, that column lock was in full force engaged.

One side of me feels it was a theft attempt both times.

Then, I get stupid doubts that go against everything I learned about cars personally and in school.

I was half heartedly hoping someone would say the sag would happen because such and such.

It sucks the feeling that your ride is being messed with I guess.

So do you guys think this was an attempted car theft? I mean the body of the Club is now loose and has a lot of play and should be thrown away at this point but my girlfriend doesn't see the harm in using it still.

Well, from what I gather I am going to keep using Club style products on both cars I guess.

 

[OVERKILL]

I'd be more freaked out that this sort of thing has been happening where you live. And how the heck they are getting into your car?!!??

The worst we have around here are the crack heads that check your door handles to see if the vehicle is unlocked and if it is, they take your change.

If this was happening to me, I'd move.

 

[Falken]

I don't know where I'd move, as a cross average the West Island of Montreal, sadly, is as good as it gets crime-wise.

I think it is possible someone has a EMP pulse style method of getting the door lock to open like I have seen in the news.

I forgot to mention that her clock time is off by almost 2 hours now, when the time was always correct.

If I was to guess it is someone sophisticated enough that they can open the car door, start the car, and drive off as if it was their vehicle. Almost like a Repo guy would.

And the club is a low tech nuisance that you don't really see people use anymore. So they yank on it real good out of rage and run off to the next car, leaving the car undamaged so they don't get local awareness up.

But again, I am totally guessing.

 

[OVERKILL]

Sounds like a pretty reasonable guess actually. The lack of forced entry is both concerning and indicative of some form of electronic method of bypassing the car's security system.

Maybe a bear trap under a blanket on the seat? LOL! That's low tech too

 

[Falken]

Hahahaha that's awesome!

 

[PeteTheFarmer]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
I have a manual transmission, that would prevent most theft attempts with the younger crowds.


A thief tried stealing my neighbors manual transmission car, but couldn't drive it after breaking in and starting it

 

[The_Jeff]

They can "slim jim" your car and not have it look like forced entry.

I'd kill the fuse for the power locks until this gets sorted out.

They can pry the door frame enough, many times, to stick a coat hanger in and hit the power locks. I did it to my own car once.

 

[spasm3]

Are there master dealer keys for that car and the thief has one?

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Falken
I don't know where I'd move, as a cross average the West Island of Montreal, sadly, is as good as it gets crime-wise.

Would be nice if you could set up surveillance. Of course, you know how that works. You get a camera up, and the idiots have moved on by that point. Will the Club people cover the apparent damage to the Club under their warranty?

I use one on and off in my F-150. I haven't had a lot of problems. I left it unlocked once and someone went through my glove box and left. I guess a fist full of gas receipts wasn't useful to them.

As for entry, yes, don't discount the slim jim. Aside from that, there are so many ways to get into vehicles that honest people would never even consider.

 

[crazyoildude]

they could have a key to the car already programmed.,.. (Maybe someone from the car stealer) If it was someone going to steal that car it would be easy to remove the club if they knew how to program the key

 

[01rangerxl]

Interesting, I always thought these things were kind of silly, but it seems you have found a situation where it's the perfect theft deterrent.

What's really concerning is they can get into the car so easily without leaving a trace. Like you have guessed, it sounds like they have probably found a way to bypass electronic security and get the car to unlock. You're up against pros. Meth heads and crack heads are opportunistic...keys in the ignition, early 1990s Accords and C1500s where they just need a screwdriver, etc.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
they could have a key to the car already programmed.,.. (Maybe someone from the car stealer) If it was someone going to steal that car it would be easy to remove the club if they knew how to program the key


They would have had to have the MDS plugged into the car to program it and the person doing the programming would have to enter their technician ID number, in the US it is their social security.

Now the key can be cut with a VIN, but dealer parts people are supposed to have proof of ownership before they do it. I know I flat out refuse to cut keys for anyone who cannot prove the VIN is theirs, I refuse to help repo people as well, too much liability.

 

[crazyoildude]

they could have had a key or they could program it you can get knock off programmers for $200.00 and they work well but cant be uppdated. The originals are $5000.00 Plus