Immobiliser prevents theft!

[Duniel3000]

Last night I walked past my car and found it odd that the windows and the sunroof were all slightly open, being pretty sure I hadn't left them this way.

And indeed, the driver's door was open, sitting down at the wheel I saw the ignition lock had been broken (see image).

Today I had a policeman come by, who showed me that even with the broken lock, one could still turn over the ignition, as they would have, but only to find that the hidden switch that interrupts the injection prevented them from taking my car!

That may explain the electric sunroof being slightly agape as they might have tried all visible switches before giving up.

Question No. 1.
What to do with the broken steering wheel lock? Does it have to be replaced in its entirety or only the cylinder part?

My worry is that they'll be back and try again?
I've got an additional anti-theft defense in the shape of an old android smartphone also somewhat hidden in the car, that can be activated to send me a txt-message/call me and broadcast its position.
To be honest I hadn't gotten it to work yet. Will have to look into this again.

Any other ideas short of moving to an area where I can have a proper garage?

They seem to have entered through the drivers door. Miraculously the lock still works although it feels funny (a bit loose), but doesn't seem to need replacement right now.

Regards
Daniel

[fred cook]

I would go ahead and replace the entire switch. Your write up doesn't say what the model year is of your car, but if it is 10 years old or older there will be wear on the old switch. Glad to hear that the bad guys did not get your car!

[E Sully]

You were fortunate. My brother was not as lucky as you. He had the factory plus an aftermarket theft system on his 1986 Turbo. His wife told me the day she woke up and heard what sounded like their car driving away. Sure enough, the thieves were knowledgeable about these cars and had bypassed both systems and driven the car away.

[jkuntze]

wire the ignition to a pound of c4. if the thief doesnt use the cut out KABOOM you lose the car but one less scumbag

[tirwin]

Glad you still have the car!

Is there some place you could keep is for a while? Maybe at a friend's place? If it's a daily driver then that's not possible of course.

Tony Euganeo is "the Porsche key guy". He might be able to help but you'll still have to pull the whole assembly.

I like your Android idea. Is LoJack an option? I haven't looked at that in a long time. Wonder if they have something more modern for the smartphone era? It would be cool if you could use an app to set when you've parked the car and get an immediate notification if the car moves.

People ignore car alarms nowadays but I wonder if a speaker that played "Warning! Theft attempt detected! The authorities have been notified with the location of this vehicle!" would actually be a deterrent? Whether it actually did that or not is another matter...

[RSBob]

Get a removable steering wheel and take it with you when you park.

[Duniel3000]

Thanks for the replies.
Yes, I do feel lucky the thing is not gone. This would leave me with some bitterness that would be hard to shake.
But I'm worried that what's meant to be a fun pastime is turning into a paranoia nightmare.

I've moved the car into a locked garage in the meantime. But it's too far and consequently not practical enough for every night. So I think I'll upgrade my antitheft defenses.

The GPS warner (an old android phone that alerts me if the car is moved)
Anti-theft bolts on the Fuchs rims. Better than nothing?
And maybe a steering wheel lock or a proper alarm thrown in.

Taking the steering wheel off is not an option.

Regarding the lock Fred suggests replacing the entire unit? Over here this costs $800+ plus it's fairly difficult to fit, so if replacing the mechanical cylinder works too...
Haven't been able to locate one though. I read somewhere that the cylinders are similar to Volkswagens of the era. Could someone confirm/refute this?

Regards
Daniel

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by jkuntze

wire the ignition to a pound of c4. if the thief doesnt use the cut out KABOOM you lose the car but one less scumbag

Finding a pound of C4 is difficult and I sure don't want to drive around with a pound of C4 in my car at all times. If there is a malfunction I might will be the one to go boom.

Obviously you were not real serious and I understand your point.

If a real pro wants your car it will be gone. One of my friends had a 911 grabbed when the thieves poured diesel on the ground and used a chain to just drag the car into a UPS style truck. The alarm was going off but it was inside the truck and they just drove off and cut the battery cable and drove off. That is what insurance is for.

[wayner]

A friend of mine had a huge (battleship huge) eye bolt anchored into his driveway.

Then used an equally huge chain connected to the underside of his car's suspension whenever he parked for any length of time.

A bit extreme maybe but???

[emac]

Steering wheel lock is useless, they just cut the wheel with a hack saw and remove it-- me I'll stick with the kill switch
Ernie

[dfhtrhjn]

^ +1 on the quick release steering wheel, I take mine with me. It should deter all but the most serious thieves.

[GT3DE]

Just follow these easy steps:
1) Park near bedroom window each night.
2) Take the coil wire off when you park it.
3) Have smartphone alert you when car tampered with.
4) rifle with night scope on a tripod at bedroom window, sited just above car door...

[Trackrash]

The problem is if the thieves want YOUR car, they will come back better prepared next time.

Some crooks tried to steal my car FOUR times, long story, but were finally successful. (I was VERY lucky to get it back). I won't bore you with the details.

I have read that now days the pros will just tow the car away.

If your car is parked regularly in plain view of passersby, you could be at risk.

If its parked in your driveway, park another car behind it or install a large locked pole in the ground behind it, like the type that block access to roads.

The cell phone sounds promising. Problem is, by the time you notice your car gone, it may be too late to locate it in one piece. If you could get the cell phone to wake up when the car is moved and notify you....

[Algernon]

Is a hidden switch that kills the starter easy to bypass?
Very easy to make, but not sure how effective, assuming its not located by thief.
Any thoughts?

[tirwin]

Hey, I don't even consider my garage really safe anymore. Like someone said, if someone wants YOUR car bad enough there is only so much you can do. There are devices available that simply run through codes on major garage door openers. The perps just drive down the street with it running and watch for doors to open.

Last year I installed new garage doors and openers. The new ones have a huge deadbolt that locks into the rail for added protection.

Another idea is an IP camera. There are plenty on the market these days. The latest ones have night vision, wide angle lenses, motion sensors and amazingly high resolution. Not practical in all cases but it's another tool in the proverbial toolbox of solutions.

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by Algernon

Is a hidden switch that kills the starter easy to bypass?
Very easy to make, but not sure how effective, assuming its not located by thief.
Any thoughts?

That is a very good idea. I have one on my car.

I had an ignition cut out switch on my other car that was stolen. It worked the first time. The crooks could not get my car started.

They came back and luckily I had chained my steering wheel to the seat mounts. I found my car out of my driveway, with a jumper installed from the battery to the coil.

Next time they came back they had bolt cutters.

[tirwin]

Dang, Gordon! That sucks!

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by tirwin

Dang, Gordon! That sucks!

Well, I got the car back, complete, I was really lucky. It's kind of a long story. By the way it is my 67 Baja Bug, which I still have.

So they came back with bolt cutters, disabled my driveway security light, disabled my alarm, bypassed my ignition cut off switch, and bypassed my fuel cutoff switch.

The only reason I got it back was in the process of hotwiring it they inadvertently disconnected the wire to the voltage regulator. The battery went totally dead after a couple of miles and they had to abandon the car.

The next day I saw it parked a few miles from home!!!

I ultimately found out who was the perp. A friend of one of my neighbors. I had a friend of mine who was well "respected" in the area have a "talk" with the perp. End of problem.

[Craig_D]

Originally Posted by Duniel3000

....one could still turn over the ignition, as they would have, but only to find that the hidden switch that interrupts the injection prevented them from taking my car!

Sorry about the theft attempt. Having a number of vehicles stolen in my life time, I hold a special place in my training, just for them.

Question, what is this immobilizer you're talking about? I wouldn't mind beefing up my security.

[NICE 69 S]

Jumping an early VW is the easiest thing in the book, especially a Baja. There is always 12V at the alternator/generator, one foot of wire and 2 alligator clips, the other end goes to the 12V side of the coil. A little push and pop the clutch and you are on your way. Almost as easy is jacking a high dollar motor out of a Baja (ask me how I know). Four bolts, cut a few wires, and there goes your motor! And if you have expensive Weber carbs on that motor, four 13mm bolts and they are gone.
Bob B