Re: DIY Immobiliser

On the older Diesels its easier as there is a fuel stop solenoid which requires a live feed to start,a hidden switch could be tapped into this wire.Also a disclock as previously suggested would be a good idea..

Steve

Steev ( snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

D'oh. Of course there is.

I is a muppet.

Probably a far better one. You've got less chance of breaking the car, and more of a deterrent, as it's nice and visible.

Exactly what I've done Steve, and even assuming they're bright enough to eventually realise what the problem is, they'll have probably flogged the battery by then anyway.

I saw some young car thieves being interviewed on TV a couple of weeks ago and apparently they don't like anything that looks like it's going to give them any sort of hassle, so if they see a sturdy looking Krooklock, in most cases they will just move on to something that looks easier to steal.

The message from Adrian contains these words:

Sadly, that ain't always true. I've a Montego TD estate and from time to time mention is made in the owners' forum from people who've had their nicked and dumped. Apparently they're popular because they're anonymous and good for lugging loads of nicked clobber. Older cars are perceived as an easy target, and if some scally wants a runabout which won't attract attention then something like a 106 might do very nicely.

You could do this via a relay (if there isn't one already fitted) and also isolate the starter circuit in the same way. All linked via an inexpensive alarm from the likes of Maplin, which can be made to operate the central locking as well.

The idea presumably is to stop joyriders who now have to go for older cars?

Personally, I wouldn't bother trying to immobilise anything on older cars. Anybody who knows what they're doing, can open the bonnet, and have the car going within a matter off seconds, regardless off what you've immobilised. This saves the need off stripping off the steering column to get access to the wiring.

On the slightly newer diesels that still used a conventional (ie non fly-by-wire) injection pump, but with an immobiliser, the first thing they'll target is the immobiliser module on the pump, which means they're going to lift the bonnet.

Best advise is to fit a visual deterrent, and an alarm. A disk lock will put off oportunist theives, and an alarm will hopefully scare off anybody breaking into it.

How many did you lose before using disklocks?

The message from "Moray Cuthill" contains these words:

Years ago I had a Fiat 127 which had a cunning immobiliser. Instead of disconnecting the LT ignition circuit it had a capacitor switched /into/ the circuit. It ran fine at low revs - but wasn't driveable as it spluttered and died when you tried more than a fast idle. The idea was that if someone tried to nick it they'd think it wasn't working properly[1].

mrcheerful

Want a bet? Last summer, they tried to steal my wife's 15 year old

Then just before Christmas, they actually did steal it!

In both instances, it was parked in a rail station car park. Subsequently, it turns out that the security cameras are so old that half the time they aren't working and when then are, they can't image in low light levels.

Of course, the crooks who operate the car park (and charge £500 for parking) on behalf of WAGN can still find the money to send inspectors around to fine people who don't pay to park.

Assuming they're carrying around suitable tools, wire, connectors etc and have an intimate knowledge of each car's wiring? Which judging by the number of fairly simple wiring queries we get here isn't the norm for the average punter. A pro car thief, possibly. But they wouldn't be going for an old banger.

On an old MK2 escort i had i fitted a door light switch behind the ashtray and wired it to the ignition starter motor solenoid cct. you had to pull out the ashtray to start the car but could push it back for normal running.

cheers Jon_H