The vehicle is a '94 4-cyl automatic. It was liberated from the driveway on Saturday night and found earlier this evening about 5 blocks from home. Cosmetically, it survived pretty much unscathed. But beyond that... I have some questions... first, how the hell they could have gotten in and started it. And second, why is it now acting like a demon possessed?
First question... how the hell could they have gotten in and started it?!! The doors were locked, yet there's no signs of any forced entry (ie no damage.) And yes, they were locked. We're a family of obsessive compulsive double-checking. The "club" was on. (Apparently about as effective as a "don't steal me" sign would have been, as they hacked right through the steering wheel.) I've heard a few possible theories, like maybe the key code was stolen from some shady tech at the muffler shop, or maybe someone in the neighbourhood just happened to have a bag full of Nissan keys and a lot of time to kill... but I would like some feedback from you fine folk. I know there's a bundle of real important electrical-looking stuff under the passenger side of the seat, and it definitely does look like the covering has been pulled up. Is it possible to somehow get the vehicle started from under there? Or, from under the hood somehow? Call me naive, stupid... or just curious... but I can't figure out how the hell they did it.
Second question... is it possible to tell what kind of damage these bastards did to the vehicle mechanically? I drove it about ten kilometres tonight (that's, um... about four miles or something...) and all was well. Then, it started to cough and run really rough. Then, the speedometer started flipping down to zero every time I touched the brake or a signal. The headlights and dash lights got really dim. By the time I got back to the driveway, it had only gotten worse. After parking it, it wouldn't start again. It groaned that "alternator-ey" sound but wouldn't even consider starting over. (How's that for technical?) According to the police officer, the truck was reportedly used at a break-in at a school in the neighbourhood, so I guess these punks put it to work to move something. Could they really have toasted something?
Car thieves and mechanics are all welcome to respond. Any possible answers would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
-e