Do It Yourself Immobilizer

[Bambikiller240]

Has anyone actually built one of these Immobilzers? after Victor's experience, I'd like to add a layer of protection to my car to (hopefully) prevent a similar occurance.

DIY IMMOBILIZER

The system described seems good, but I don't know much about relays and such at all. The article doesn't give enough detail, like what Part Numbers of components to buy, which pins or lugs on the relays you connect specific wires to. I can do the assembly and incorporate it in the car IF I knew more of the details.

Anyone out there have any experience with this system they care to share with other members of the club? If so, you could help save many of us from falling prey to the A-Holes out there who want to steal our cars.

[kyteler]

I'm not sure how things are with you guys in your various states over there. But here in NZ if you don't have the Alarms and ImmobiliZer's professionally installed then not only do you not get any discount on your insurance for having it but they may turn into butt monkeys and not even pay out. :mad:

[Ed]

Those electronic immobilizers will do very little for a carburated engine. Anyone can "hotwire" your engine in 10 seconds and be gone. I think we need to immobilize some other way.

[hmsports]

How about:

- Inline hydraulic brake system lock

- Removable steering wheel

- Master battery switch with removable key

- Inline fuel line cutoff

[Zrush]

When I was in high school, many, many years ago, we used to take the coil wire off to keep others from taking our ride. This also used to work for friends who wanted to drive after drinking way to much.

[optimaxtech]

The DIY Im. will work, and all the parts are availible at your local Radio Shack. Looking at the parts list, my guess is less than 60 dollars complete. In regards to carb engines being hot wired, this system could be installed across the 12volt feed to the ignition coil, and the car will not run. Now if the AS@HOLE trying to steal the car, was able to identify this system(not likely if installed in the correct location in wire loom)(and the fact the interior shows no evidence of a system if correctly installed, unless you plan to leave the LED in plain site), yes it would be possible to throw 12 volts to the coil post and drive the car away. Keep in mind the thief would have to know the system was installed on the car, and know what circuit you installed the "break" on, and have time to inspect under the hood, and bring hot wire goodies to perform the correct ignition jump. I do not believe this "homebrew" system will bring any sort of insurance savings, yet I do not believe that is what the actual goal here is. The car stays were you left it, would be the goal in mind:classic:

[Mr Camouflage]

Originally posted by Ed

Those electronic immobilizers will do very little for a carburated engine. Anyone can "hotwire" your engine in 10 seconds and be gone. I think we need to immobilize some other way.

The immpbiliser shown can be used to break any electical circuit, so you could use it to break the power to the coil, which would work on a carburated engine. You could also break the power to the electric fuel pump (if you dont have a mechanical one).

Could also break the power to the ingition switch.

Could build a secondary circuit so that if they did get away with the car, every time they pressed the stop pedal, or used the indicators, it would arm and cut the engine again!

They might just think that the car is a POS and not bother with it ifit keeps stalling.

[optimaxtech]

Carl,

In regards to your comfort level with this type of circuit, you can purchase the parts and assemble on the workbench with clip leads, and leave an ohm meter hooked up to the 2 wire connection that would be the "break" in your cars wiring. Leave the system hooked up with 12volt plug in wall convertor, and over the course of a couple weeks when ever you walk by with your "hidden magnet device", simply swipe the sensor, and take a look at you ohm meter to verify operation. The wiring diagram does not include the actual number location for the relay post(in regards to wiring), but if the parts are placed on the table in front of you, you will notice the pattern of the connection post will match the diagram. Most relays are a standard pattern(the ones used for this circuit will be) and there is normally a little wiring diagram on or in the package of the relay to help you better under stand what the little box is doing. As a matter of fact, I'm going to build one for the hell of it, and some day when I own a toy again I will install it. If you like I could keep you up to date when I get around to purchasing the parts.:classic:

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by optimaxtech

The DIY Im. will work, and all the parts are availible at your local Radio Shack.

I would use the circuit to break power to the coil which (as stated) would work on a carb'd vehicle. I also understand that it *could* be defeated, given enough time and knowledge of the system. It is NOT a guarentee of security, but rather a "layer of protection" to help minimize the chance of successful theft. I'm pricing a Lo Jack system as well.

Originally posted by optimaxtech

I do not believe this "homebrew" system will bring any sort of insurance savings, yet I do not believe that is what the actual goal here is. The car stays were you left it, would be the goal in mind

Exactly correct, I could care less about a discount from the insurance company. They are almost as big of A-Holes and just as big of thieves as the person who would steal your car. They will always figure out a way to squeeze money out of you in premiums, and will attempt to avoid paying out. I will have the install documented (now that I have a digicam) so they will have a hard time denying it's existance. I don't want some goon at the stereo/alarm shop chopping up my wiring AND having the knowledge of the system in my car. I'm confident that I would be able to install it properly, and invisably.

Originally posted by optimaxtech

I'm going to build one for the hell of it, and some day when I own a toy again I will install it. If you like I could keep you up to date when I get around to purchasing the parts.

Yes! Please do let me know how your build goes. You can PM to me or post to the thread

[optimaxtech]

Lo Jack is a good concept, yet as technology evolves, so do our wonderful crimanals. If the thieves are succesful at what they do, they more than likely have a "dummie stop" were the vehicle goes within the first minutes of theft, at which time they can scan the car for the device with a tool fireman use to see through your walls for bad wiring, hence the device is removed and pitched in the local dump or river. Then the vehicle is transported to the real chop shop. One other concept that makes me leary, is "big brother" knows were you/car are located. Of course, most of us have nothing to hide, yet all "lojack" and "on star" systems have to be licsenced through the government. "On Star" has the ability to shut your engine off, which in the wrong hands could leave a lot of people stranded some day.:sleepy:

[MikeW]

One other concept that makes me leary, is "big brother" knows were you/car are located.

I don't think that's how lojack works. The system is essentially passive, listening for an activation signal. The activation signal is not transmitted until the car is reported stolen. At that point the system starts emitting a radio beacon that the police have to actually home in on like tracking a bear with a radio collar.

That's a lot different than, for instance, a GPS based system (like what some trucking companies use) where at any point someone could effectively watch where you've been and where you are.

[optimaxtech]

If lojack is a passive system base on radio frequency, then it would be my choice. My only concern is systems sold to the masses, usually have some hidden original intent, before they were marketed on a retail basis. USA is a free country, and in todays age, the cable company can control your TV from their location.... Scary thought man. It will be interesting to say the least, what technology is going to end up for use in home and car in the next couple of years. Any time someone can control something by remote, means in the wrong hands it could be a negative thing