Thread: Vehicle immobiliser

Looking for a bit of advice around engine immobilisers.
Daughters about to start uni and will be parking a car on the streets of Auckland.
Compounding the problem is her car was just listed as the most stolen car in Auckland, and we only got her 3rd party as full insurance was the same value as the car…
So if it gets flogged, it’s gone. So I’m thinking I should get an immobiliser of some kind fitted.
Just to make it a bit harder for any thieving lowlife who wants to go joyriding.

I see lots of alarms have a form of engine immobilisation, I’m not that fussed on an alarm just something that won’t allow the engine to start.

Look forward to hearing your clever ideas.
Cheers Mike

A hidden switch is probably the simplest.

I recommend a Doberman, although a Rottweiler has the benefit of a better alarm.
More seriously, a plate that covers the pedals with a high security padlock surpasses the skills of all but the most determined thieves.
Something like the Phofu.

Only thing is it isn't very visible so will deter someone who has already broken into the car, which means damage to locks or windows not covered by insurance.

surely any competent Auto Electrician could fit a hidden switch -suggest passenger side if possible less chance they would look there - and a sign in window - vehicle alarmed and disabled

Electrical cut off switch hidden somewhere, perhaps a fuel cut off switch as well, both switches need to be placed correctly. I can have a complete stranger or someone in my vehicle and I can flick them on or off without giving their locations away.

I take it its a mazda demio? If its an auto a switch to disable the starter will do, cutting the fuel is good extra insurance. I just pull the fuel pump relay but not really what your daughter probably wants to stuff around doing.

Kill switch to regulator IIRC
cheap toggle switch just under the change in carpet layer near the handbrake worked for me, could flick it on without anyone noticing

The other idea that worked well for me was a battery box from jaycar with a slide switch on the top stashed in the coin tray or some small place up the front - wires running from there to a blue LED wired to slow flash, I slipped the wires up the side of the dash by the drivers door and had the LED poking out just above the dash from the outside as you see it
Turn it on when you leave the car

Have a chat to Benny at Garage 5 in AKL. I am not sure where in Auckland he is though. He was fitting imobilisers and fuel stoppers to MX5s that are getting stolen by joyriders a lot down here. One of the ones I looked at ,you can text it and it shuts off the fuel and wont restart until you text it back on....



Or buy a cheap hack type car that no one would want to steal....

We have a Toyota Aqua, with key so not built-in immobilizer (car theft isn't really a thing in Japan) - is that the same as your daughter's? Takes about 10 seconds or less to break it and steal one. Paid $350 for a budget car alarm with immobiliser, but also use a bright red steering wheel lock. Most thefts for joy riding are kids, and if they see a steering wheel lock, they will look for easier pickings... The alarm stickers on the windows and blinking light are also part of the deterrent.

fitting a switch etc will do nothing to mitigate assholes wrecking your ignition and pulling half the dash out in the process to a point where fixing it would make you wish you just paid for insurance to start with

What he said... you want to try and deter the buggers from breaking in in the first place - hence visible deterrent such as a steering wheel lock and alarm stickers, blinking light. The place I went to was fitting around 30 alarms a week to Aquas (up there with the Demios for theft). The mostly fit the more expensive alarms with glass break sensors, etc. But I figured what's the point? Once they break a window, half the damage is done (and our insurance policy has no excess on glass at least). Next thing they will do is open a door, alarm will go off anyway...

Buy a manual
2/3rds population can't drive one these days

Trunk Monkey!? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AidA...urbanAutoGroup

Other than that - cut the the +ive wire to the starter solenoid and wire it back to a switch, hidden somewhere is cab. It's a piece of piss 5 minute job and even if they pull the ignition a 12V DC signal won't reach the starter/solenoid so it won't go. Most young hoons can't be arsed or have the knowledge to hotwire off the battery after the ignition is pulled, so it's a basic, cheap immobilser.

other than that - buy a manual geared car.

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

A hidden switch is probably the simplest.

Exactly what saved one of our cars!

You just have to remember to turn it to ‘off’ every time you leave the car

Originally Posted by stumpys

Trunk Monkey!? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AidA...urbanAutoGroup

Other than that - cut the the +ive wire to the starter solenoid and wire it back to a switch, hidden somewhere is cab. It's a piece of piss 5 minute job and even if they pull the ignition a 12V DC signal won't reach the starter/solenoid so it won't go. Most young hoons can't be arsed or have the knowledge to hotwire off the battery after the ignition is pulled, so it's a basic, cheap immobilser.

other than that - buy a manual geared car.

This is a great idea but instead of using a on/off switch to activate the starter solenoid use a momentary switch ie you have to press the switch and turn the key to start it.
Use some imagination and you could hide the momentary switch on the floor so you press on it with your foot

But one of these imobiliser switches won't discourage someone from breaking in, the steering wheel lock is the best idea for that