Best cheap theft deterrent?

[LTC8K6]

Pull the fuel pump relay?

 

[Lifted]

You need multiple deterrents.

-Hidden fuel pump kill switch (easy to install yourself... multiple ones are better... you can hide it somewhere or even wire it to buttons on the dash)
-Brake lock (same as clutch lock just put it on the brake so the car won't go into gear)
-Fake blinking light on dashboard (they sell these)
-LoJack sticker

Thanks for the suggestions.

I like idea #1. Is this something that somebody who has only ever changed oil a couple of times and replaced a bulb once or twice could do on his own? Assuming I can't, what would be a fair price to pay for somebody to install such a kill switch connected to the fuel pump or some other hard to get at critical system?

The car is a 97 Avalon, so I don't want to spend too much on this. It's not at all worth getting theft/comprehensive coverage, but I don't mind spending a few hundred as insurance against a total loss.

 

[tcG]

Glad you like the first idea, but you should look into the others as well! Having multiple deterrents is much better.

It's easy to install a kill switch on your own, provided you have the right tools. My technical experience doesn't extend much beyond yours, and I was able to install one in my car with a wire crimping kit (soldering + heatshrink wrap is the best way though) and a rocker switch bought from a local auto parts store. You should look up tutorials on the internet... they will walk you through it. What I did was locate the car's ECU, probably somewhere under the passenger side dash. There are a bunch of wires coming off it, one of which is the fuel pump wire. Ignition wire works too. All you do is cut this wire, wire a switch into it, then hide it. The switch you buy will have two connections. Each side of the wire that you cut goes into one of the connections.

 

[Lifted]

Glad you like the first idea, but you should look into the others as well! Having multiple deterrents is much better.

It's easy to install a kill switch on your own, provided you have the right tools. My technical experience doesn't extend much beyond yours, and I was able to install one in my car with a wire crimping kit (soldering + heatshrink wrap is the best way though) and a rocker switch bought from a local auto parts store. You should look up tutorials on the internet... they will walk you through it. What I did was locate the car's ECU, probably somewhere under the passenger side dash. There are a bunch of wires coming off it, one of which is the fuel pump wire. Ignition wire works too. All you do is cut this wire, wire a switch into it, then hide it. The switch you buy will have two connections. Each side of the wire that you cut goes into one of the connections.

Now that sounds like something I can handle.

I'll look into the blinking lights, ADT and R-Type stickers, electric chair, rattle snakes, and tranchulas too.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

dont forget scorpions. never leave out the scorpions.

 

[Doublejr]

No need for a switch, just pull the fuel pump/injector or ignition fuse

 

[MBrown]

Manual transmission.

ZV

This

 

[jhu]

dont forget scorpions. never leave out the scorpions.

Not sure they would be too happy couped up his car all day.

 

[KIAman]

If it's not too complicated, take the steering wheel off and take it with you, like a Formula Racer!

 

[Lifted]

No need for a switch, just pull the fuel pump/injector or ignition fuse

This is what the mechanic showed me (fuel injection box/whatever in the fuse box). But we agreed it was not a good solution for everyday parking. Long term it's a great idea. :thumbsup:

I had my mechanic install a fuel pump cutoff switch under my seat, wired directly to the fuel pump. I was having second thoughts about having it done though as I paid $1.8k for it and book value is closer to $4k. Since GEICO was kind enough to give me comprehensive for an extra $45 every 6 months, I'd hardly be upset if somebody drove off with it.

 

[deadken]

Honestly, what you did was to help keep your car from being stolen. And that is just fine. But odds are it wasn't likely to be stolen anyway.

What you probably really should do is get a blinking LED light. One of those will keep the car from being broken into. Which, is MUCH more likely to happen vs. being stolen.

Now think about this: Do you want to find your car with the window broken or the door handle / lock ripped out, but the car not stolen? Would that justify the price of the kill switch? Yes. Or, would you rather the guy see the blinking light, assume it really has an alarm and move onto the next car (with no blinking light) and never break your window or damage your car in the first place?

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Stick shift and keep nothing in the car

 

[BUTCH1]

If it's at least new enough to have a PATS system (RFID in key) they aren't taking it without a flatbed.

This, most newer cars also have their own lan,if the BCU doesn't see what it likes, no go. In the old days (60's-70's) cars were REALLY easy to steal compared to today's cars. If you've got an older vehicle consider a kill switch on the ignition coil somewhere..

 

[Doppel]

Older cars are far more likely to be stolen, new ones are a pain in the ass and most car thieves are idiots (which is why they don't have a job/education and instead steal cars). That kill switch seems like a great idea, and very cheap.

 

[nerp]

Kill switch is an interesting idea. I say that keeping the interior clean and not having any coins lying around is important. People will bash a window to steal two dollars in nickels. I can't tell you how many police reports I've read where someone is stopped for walking down the street with a backpack, pockets overflowing with coins.

I like how my current vehicle has a touchless entry system. Not only is there no ignition, just a start button, the car won't move unless the fob is actually in the vehicle. I can leave the car running and unlocked and when I walk away, it starts chiming inside and the dash screen says "key has left vehicle." I suspect stealing my car would be really hard without a flatbed.

 

[Lifted]

Honestly, what you did was to help keep your car from being stolen. And that is just fine. But odds are it wasn't likely to be stolen anyway.

What you probably really should do is get a blinking LED light. One of those will keep the car from being broken into. Which, is MUCH more likely to happen vs. being stolen.

Now think about this: Do you want to find your car with the window broken or the door handle / lock ripped out, but the car not stolen? Would that justify the price of the kill switch? Yes. Or, would you rather the guy see the blinking light, assume it really has an alarm and move onto the next car (with no blinking light) and never break your window or damage your car in the first place?

Good point. I've seen police out there filing reports for people with broken in cars. I'll pick up one of those lights, which will hopefully convince someone interested in moving on to the next car. I don't keep anything in the car anyway, other than the usual stuff in the trunk. The cabin is clean and empty, removable face radio, so not much there to invite anyone in... but no point in tempting fate.