Does anyone use any sort of starter inhibitor for theft protection?
 

Sorry - I have no idea what this would be called, but sometimes I've thought of figuring out a way to hide a switch somewhere which would disable the car from starting. We've had a few carjackings locally, too, which makes me think it would be nice to disable the car before I'm thrown out a gunpoint ;). That or start carrying a 9mm...but who knows if I'd have the presence of mind to use one in the heat of the moment.

Does anyone use such a device (whatever they are called)?

Mark

Its called a kill switch, but advertising the common locations on a public forum is probably not the best idea....

Can someone PM me details, then?
Mark

I think the patternless shift knob on the 915 box is sufficient :)

I have a fuel pump cut off switch. Basically its a toggle switch in series with the primary (low voltage) side of the fuel pump relay.

Fairly simple to do and mount the switch wherever you desire. Just don't forget to flip the switch when you try to start your car, I forgot once and was in panic mode for a little while until I remembered the switch.

Kill switch doesn’t stop a wrecker.

A kill switch is good to stop a crack head or kid. It will not slow down a true pro by much.

Fuel pump cutoff switch and an Apple AirTag hidden away are what I'm doing. If someone really wants the car, I'm not sure there's much more to stop them.

Your stick shift will stop most. No shift pattern on the knob next. Beyond a Denver boot you’ll be on your own.

Thanks guys. I may consider a fuel relay switch like cortney mentioned.

I need to look up the Apple AirTag. I haven't heard of those

MFI stripped of all "automatic" start-up and warm-up compensation, replaced by full manual control. I would defy anyone to start my car before the battery dies, unless I run them through the procedure.

I would like to have that level of confidence with whatever scheme I come up with! ;)

+1 kill switch (starter or fuel pump). Always do this on any vintage car I own. Especially open top cars.

+1 hidden Apple AirTag or other tracker

Review your collector car insurance policy annually and adjust agreed value as needed.

I got my factory installed alarm working. Pretty rudimentary system, but probably old enough that no one expects them to still be working or installed.

123 distributor has a remote disabler built into a phone app with Bluetooth connection.

I forgot about that. Always thought it was a clever feature.

Up to date insurance policy, don’t drive or park in dodgy areas.

They'll simply tow it.

I’ve been researching 3rd gen 4Runners lately and came across a thread where the guy welded on a U-bolt to his main shift lever so he could padlock it to his 4x4 shift lever.
Pretty clever. And affective for the idiot who’s going to break the window to gain entry and force the ignition on with a hammer and a large flathead screwdriver with some vice grips attached to the handle. No match for a tow truck though. And to think that your stick shift is a theft deterrent is foolish imo. Pros do the research. As for the car jacking,
what are you going to do when the criminal comes back with a gun to your head after he realizes the car’s disabled. Don’t get me wrong, I think the more theft deterrents the better. But yah, be aware of your surroundings and make sure you’re insurance is good.

Downside.......only works at home but I think it might defeat the wrecker.



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How about a shift knob that has P-R-N-D-L printed on it? 😀

I use a quick release steering wheel that I take with me if I'm parking out of sight....

I used a quick release steering wheel for about 15 years. If a thief walks up and sees you took the wheel, then you took your laptop with you as well :)

By this logic, we shouldn't lock our doors either.

A determined thief will take your car: they’ll tow it, they’ll winch it into a truck, they’ll do whatever it takes and your car is gone. Period. End of story. Only recourse is a tracking device (unclear if police will track AirTags) and good insurance.

Everything else will thwart an opportunist and that’s it.

I have a hidden fuel pump switch. I've heard that SolidGPS are good trackers. (Down here in Australia)

We don't usually have to worry about carjacking at gunpoint but I'd like a remote immobiliser if that was a risk. I'd like the guy with the gun to be at least a couple of hundred metres from me when the car conked out.

AirTag is not a good solution to me, Apple has developed a tool to discover AirTags away from the owner (called anti-stalking feature), plus it beeps when recognize movements.

Why do not simply remove the rotor from distributor and take it with you?
A thief has to have a spare with him to start the car ... obviously they can still tow and put in truck.

That is a possibility. However, try that sometime. how long does it take? Much like the really stupid feature of a lot of radios, the removable face. Take the face off and then what, haul it around with you into a restaurant or store?

If it is even a little inconvenient, almost no one will do that more than a few times.

I have my car insured with an agreed value policy. I really love my car, and I plan to keep it until I can't drive it anymore because I am too old to easily get and out. If I am a slightly sketchy area, I will flip a hidden switch in the trunk, and then lock the trunk and of course the doors.

No match for a tow truck but I remove all of the round relays in the frunk and never park it anywhere that I can't see it when out. Fuel pumps won't run etc.

Car jackings? I used to live in Gilbert and work in Chandler, Are these common? Vintage cars getting jacked?

All of theses various trackers - don't you have to pay a monthly fee?

#1 Rule of Security: "Nothing is secure."

But it might be secure enough? Does it cost more to steal than the return? Is it easier to steal the one next door? And on and on.

Who's going to risk their tow-truck to steal my '78 SC?

Security should be applied in layers. Locked in the garage, security camera and motion sensor light above the doors, up on a lift, steering wheel removed, hidden kill switch, fuel pump relay removed, post-it note on the steering wheel stating the oil has been drained, GPS tracker...

That tow-truck argument implies you shouldn't bother to lock your front door?

You don't have a dog? You should still place a dog dish outside by the door.

Sadly, thieves will take what they want if they really want it. My car is insured with an agreed value and I do not let it out of my sight when I take it out. Yeah, it is at times a bit tough to find parking close to where I am so I can keep an eye on it, but it is worth the hassle. Finally, I am blessed to not live in an area rife with thugs.

Be aware of your surroundings, apply the heavy foot as needed and above all, do not lift !

I have a knob I remove on my battery on the ground. It's a 10 dollar part from Napa auto parts. I really like the idea of removing the steering wheel for overnight stays. And of course agreed value policy on every Porsche.

The quick release steering wheel is a great idea:

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Remove the rotor from your distributor

A hidden battery cut-off switch is simple and effective. Yes, it can be bypassed but still deters the average thief.

-Matt

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