Do It Yourself Immobilizer

[Zrush]

There are no guarantees when it comes to theft, except "I guarantee I can steal it". If someone wants something bad enough, they'll get it even with LoJack and On Star. Locks are ment to keep honest people honest.

On Star can be disabled by popping the fuse. This was told to me by a Chevy Dealer who also spoke of the "Big Brother" syndrome.

[optimaxtech]

On a twisted note, a friend of mine aquired a Lotus a few years ago, and he was bound and determined to come up with a system that would inject poison/chemical into the thief's arse when he sat in the seat. His brother is a lawyer and talked him out of it for the time being!:classic:

[Ed]

If you do install an electronic immobilizer the "break" should be between the coil and the distributor or inside the distributor itself. Putting it before the coil to prevent 12v getting to the coil is pointless.

[Ed]

Originally posted by optimaxtech

On a twisted note, a friend of mine aquired a Lotus a few years ago, and he was bound and determined to come up with a system that would inject poison/chemical into the thief's arse when he sat in the seat. His brother is a lawyer and talked him out of it for the time being!:classic:

Now that would be a gas!!

I remember a movie where a security system was installed in a Porche that was designed to not only provent theft but also as a "cage" to detain the perpetrator until the authorities arrived, or until you got a big stick.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by optimaxtech

he was bound and determined to come up with a system that would inject poison/chemical into the thief's arse when he sat in the seat. His brother is a lawyer and talked him out of it for the time being!

Not such a good idea IMHO. Likely the day would come when the wrong "arse" would get poked. Not to mention the liability issue aluded to.

[optimaxtech]

In regards to the wrong arse, his concept was to have a piece of plate steel that would slide over the needle area built into the device and it would be a fingertip slide from under the seat... or something along that line:classic:

[SER240Z]

As far as security goes, a simple hidden switch to an electric fuel pump or electronic ignition works well.

There are two different types of LoJack systems. One is passive until it is armed by LoJack when the car is stolen, and another uses a key fob. If the car is moved without the key fob in the vehicle, LoJack will contact you at a designated number to make sure that the moving of the car is authorized.

There is also Teletrac which is like big brother and can locate your car at any given time in the day. Actually I just found out that if you subscribe to Teletrac they have a automated phone system that you can call 24 hours a day to find out exactly where your car is. Scary!

[TomoHawk]

There are many places you can disable things (electronically):

electric fuel pump (cut power)

starter solenoid (cut power)

starter solenoid-to-starter (cut connection)

Ign coil (cut power)

Ign coil (ground LT side)

distributor (ground points?)

You can also disable the engine by activating things, which don't need power to start engine, but are set before you leave your car:

fuel control cutoff(cut fuel)

brake lock( lock brakes)

Trans? (disable controller?)

I've always thought you could hook up those things to switches that need to be set certain ways to start the engine, like a binary combination lock.

Probably as many ways as there are car-people.

[JMT240KGTR]

Originally posted by optimaxtech

On a twisted note, a friend of mine aquired a Lotus a few years ago, and he was bound and determined to come up with a system that would inject poison/chemical into the thief's arse when he sat in the seat. His brother is a lawyer and talked him out of it for the time being!:classic:

Thats a great idea, love it!!!:classic: :classic: :classic:

[Zs-ondabrain]

Hey Carl,

this should help you a little bit ( if the $%#@ picture works)

[tanny]

I did recently install this(the one in your original post) DIY system in my Z and it works fairly well(I still have the car, I think). Be sure to install the activation switch where it won't be accidently bumped, keep an extra magnet or two around the car. One problem I had was that if I DIDN'T activate the immobilizer and left the car sit for 4 or 5 days, it would drain the battery. The way the thing is wired causes the relay to be energized when the immobilizer is OFF, thereby using more energy when it is not armed. I have other things draining the battery, but this immobilizer definitely increased the rate of battery discharge, even though the current draw is small. Also, it may just be coincidence or my imagination, but I seemed to start getting more erratic readings on my tachometer after installation. I installed it to cut the connection between the coil and distributor and I have the 80 ZX distributor. Good luck, Victor.

ps Of course as stated earlier, this system and any others will stop the casual joy rider, but only maybe slow down a pro. If they want it badly enough, they can winch it up into an enclosed truck. You'd have to glue the car to the asphalt to prevent that. Best thing is to have decent insurance, don't be too paranoid, and keep your fingers crossed.

[TomoHawk]

what about a life-like blow up doll that looks exactly like you, to watch the car while you are out?