Kill switches

[SarcasticDwarf]

ok, so I got a nice 97 dodge ram and I was wondering how difficult it would be ro rig up a hidden kill switch (IE: the switch must be in the "on" position for the car to start and/or run). Anyone know if this is something I could easily do and what I need to wire it to?

 

[Evadman]

Very easy. They sell kits for this. Or you could just put a switch in the wire coming from the fuse marked "Ignition"

 

[MichaelD]

It's very easy. Obviously, you'd need either a schematic of the vehicle, or first-hand knowlege of the electrical system of the vehicle in question. Neither of which I have in this case; sorry.

There are a number of different ways to do this...easy and complicated:

1. Switch kills the ignition signal from the key
2. Switch kills power to the fuel pump
3. Switch does 1 & 2 (best)

In a big vehicle like a pickup you could hide the switch almost anywhere. One neat trick is to use TWO switches with multiple positions (ON-ON-ON) switches and hide them in separate places and wire them so that (example) Switch#1 needs to be in the middle on position and Switch#2 needs to be in the top on postion for all to work.

It can be as easy or complicated as you want/need it to be. It's a 1997 Dodge? Does it have a distributor or is it coil-on-plug? If the former, you could just yank the coil wire off the distributor...

 

[Evadman]

Kill switch

and if it is a 97 it should have a distributor. I think the distributorless ones started in '99.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Kill switch

and if it is a 97 it should have a distributor. I think the distributorless ones started in '99.

I have that exact switch already

caseetc.com

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: DeathByAnts

Originally posted by: Evadman
Kill switch

and if it is a 97 it should have a distributor. I think the distributorless ones started in '99.

I have that exact switch already

caseetc.com

Are you sure it is the same, and just does not look the same? I thas to handle a large amount of amperage. Not that I see an amperage rating on that one anyway.

 

[UNCjigga]

Is it too late for a 'In Russia, switches kill YUO!'???

Seriously though, what's the reason for this? Is this an anti-theft measure or is this some sort of safety mechanism for the type of work you do (are you afraid of the missus starting the truck while you're under it?)

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: uncJIGGA
Is it too late for a 'In Russia, switches kill YUO!'???

Seriously though, what's the reason for this? Is this an anti-theft measure or is this some sort of safety mechanism for the type of work you do (are you afraid of the missus starting the truck while you're under it?)

uncJIGGA, when I used to have a Camaro, I had a kill-switch wired into prevent theft; an alarm was just considered a deterent as most people ignore car-alarms anyway.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: uncJIGGA
Is it too late for a 'In Russia, switches kill YUO!'???

Seriously though, what's the reason for this? Is this an anti-theft measure or is this some sort of safety mechanism for the type of work you do (are you afraid of the missus starting the truck while you're under it?)

It is an anti-theft measure. I find car alarms to be pointless because everyone ignores them and theygo off way too often. I too would also prefer to have 2 switches if possible, but the wiring problems already gives me a headache.

 

[NutBucket]

How about starter disable on the alarm? That's really the main reason I have mine, that and remote locking.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
How about starter disable on the alarm? That's really the main reason I have mine, that and remote locking.

NutBucket, the reason wh I personally used a kill switch on my car was because I was afraid of the people who can be in the vacinity of your car and "grab" the code that your key fob uses, which in turn, gives them a carbon copy of your key fob that gives the thief access to your car.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: NutBucket
How about starter disable on the alarm? That's really the main reason I have mine, that and remote locking.

NutBucket, the reason wh I personally used a kill switch on my car was because I was afraid of the people who can be in the vacinity of your car and "grab" the code that your key fob uses, which in turn, gives them a carbon copy of your key fob that gives the thief access to your car.

That's a reasonable reason. I'm not saying you shouldn't put in a kill switch. Some clever ones that friends have told me about are things like cigarette lighter needs to be pushed in or you have to turn on your wipers, really random stuff that 99% of would-be theives wouldn't think of. I know someone who has a button under the carpet in the driver's side footwell. Only problem with that is the theif might hit it and re-enable the starter. At some point though, you gotta figure if someone wants it, they're gonna take it.

 

[FelixDeCat]

At first I thought this was a killing kittens thread My car has a factory kill switch if the car is started without the Mazda key.