DIY Car Immobiliser system ???

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by kaka_uet, Jun 9, 2004.

  1. kaka_uet

    kaka_uet Guest

    Hi, was wondering if anyone is aware of or has practically tried
    making a car immobiliser system in their backyard. I've heard of a
    simple switch operated system, in a well concealed location around the
    driving seat, that cuts off the current to the ignition when its in an
    OFF state.

    Off-the-shelf car immobiliser systems are relatively far too expensive
    and just wanted to find out if someone's tried this (or a similar)
    simple idea before?

    I have a Vauxhall Astra Saloon 1993 (Petrol).

    Regards
     
    kaka_uet, Jun 9, 2004
    #1
  2. kaka_uet

    Martin Guest

    Connect a wire from the earthy side of your coil, through a switch, to an
    earth point on the car. Hide the switch, or use a key-switch you can get
    from Halfords.

    Make sure you use the earthy side of the coil, when you close the switch it
    supresses the spark. Don't attempt this with electronic ignition circuits.
    That's what I use to do with my old ford, it worked for me YMMV
     
    Martin, Jun 9, 2004
    #2
  3. A better bet is to discourage the thieves from even trying with a large
    steering wheel lock, the disc type is best. cheap immobilisers are on ebay,
    but thieves of old cars won't be put off by that, this was proved to me a
    few months ago, the car was still there but wrecked around the steering
    column. I have never had an attempted theft on any of my vehicles with
    steering locks on, but at least four on vehicles without.

    mrcheerful
     
    mrcheerful , Jun 9, 2004
    #3
  4. kaka_uet

    PJML Guest

    My preferred antitheft technique is something like this:

    http://www.mico.com/literature/blocks.php3

    Stomp on brake pedal, flick switch, all 4 wheels locked
    rather positively!
     
    PJML, Jun 9, 2004
    #4
  5. kaka_uet

    PM Guest

    He's already done that - he's got an Astra Saloon :)
     
    PM, Jun 9, 2004
    #5
  6. LOL :)

    Though it does in fact pose the problem that thieves know how easy it is to
    nick an Astra so will give it a go anyway ... Fitting a hidden
    switch/immobiliser isnt going to stop em breaking the doorlocks or smashing
    a window to have a go at starting it. A more visible deterrent would be a
    much better option.. Ie a steering/gearlever lock etc ..

    A slightly bloodstained card on the dashboard with an appointment time
    written on it for the local communicable disease clinic can deter the wary
    too .. (well at least those who can read) :)
     
    Not in my trousers, Jun 9, 2004
    #6
  7. kaka_uet

    Adrian Guest

    Not in my trousers () gurgled happily, sounding
    much like they were saying :
    I'd have thought it preferable to *encourage* 'em to nick it...
    Indeed. All you're going to have is a wrecked, useless car parked outside
    instead of there being no car.

    Same outcome, just you get the hassle/expense of disposing of it.
     
    Adrian, Jun 9, 2004
    #7
  8. kaka_uet

    SOR Guest

    <uk.rec.cars.maintenance , kaka_uet , >
    <>
    How about splicing the starter motor wire to a hidden switch .

    They would get the ignition and no power to the starter .

    I reckon most neds would be too lazy to push it - assuming there was
    more than one .


    --
    alt.internet.providers.uk
    uk.local.glasgow
    uk.media.tv.misc
    uk.rec.drugs.cannabis
    (other newsgroups I subscribe too)
     
    SOR, Jun 9, 2004
    #8
  9. kaka_uet

    kaka_uet Guest

    Any chance of getting my hands on a rough sketch/drawing ??? Am
    pretty much of a novice when it comes to car maintenance, but am an
    aspiring young lad :)

    If getting a sketch won't be possible, would appreciate it if you can
    point out which one would be the earthy side of the Ignition Coil
    Cable? (I presume the Ignition Coil Cable is the connector between
    the Distributor [where leads from all the spark plugs are brought in]
    and the point X [don't know what this is ... but thats where the other
    end of the Ignition Coil Cable goes])

    Regards
     
    kaka_uet, Jun 9, 2004
    #9
  10. kaka_uet

    kaka_uet Guest

    Yes I'd agree with you but for that you are looking at spending around 80 quid.

    Regards
     
    kaka_uet, Jun 9, 2004
    #10
  11. kaka_uet

    Martin Guest

    Have a look here

    http://www.kronjaeger.com/hv/hv/src/ign/

    In the fist diagram, the earthy side is where the switch circuits connects
    to on the primary coil. Do not touch the secondary which is the thick cable
    going to the distributor.

    If you pull the earthy side of the coil to earth, it can't generate a spark
    when its switched. You can probably tell which is which with an AVO or a
    tourch bulb. The one that lights up when you connect the bulb between the
    car body and terminal is the live side (engine and ignition off for this)
     
    Martin, Jun 9, 2004
    #11
  12. kaka_uet

    Martin Guest

    The high currents would probably burn the switch out. The current is of the
    order of 100Amps
     
    Martin, Jun 9, 2004
    #12
  13. kaka_uet

    Adrian Guest

    Martin () gurgled happily, sounding much
    like they were saying :
    The switching current between leading from key to solenoid isn't anywhere
    near that - switching the big wire from battery to starter would just be
    silly.
     
    Adrian, Jun 9, 2004
    #13
  14. the point is that the car is likely to be left alone , the steering lock
    will easily transfer to your next vehicle too. eigthy quid is b all
    compared to the cost of a broken window, smashed ign switch and cowlings,
    which is the minimum a thief will do before discovering that there is an
    immobiliser.
     
    mrcheerful , Jun 11, 2004
    #14
  15. The best option, as mentioned before, is to have a visible deterrent such as
    a steering lock... however ...

    The cheapest option by far, (and just as effective as an immobiliser in my
    view), is to have a nice bright sticker in the window saying "IMMOBILISER
    FITTED". If a thief is going to have a go at nicking your car, he is going
    to do the damage anyway so its irrelevent wether it really has an
    immobiliser anyway. The key word is 'deterrent', you dont even want him to
    'have a go' in the first place!
     
    Not in my trousers, Jun 11, 2004
    #15
  16. They don't take any notice of stickers. The last vehicle of mine to have an
    attempt at theft was a non running sierra. It had immobiliser stickers, a
    visible place for the immobiliser fob with a flashing light next to it.
    They got in using a key, smashed the covers off and cut the wires to the ign
    switch, damaged the steering lock, but of course found that the immobiliser
    prevented anything from happening (it could not run even with the
    immobiliser key in as the engine is borked) They then went away. If I had
    had a nice big disclock on, then I am sure they would not have bothered to
    even get in. My other cars, even my old metro have a disclock or stoplock
    pro on them, none of those are touched no matter where they are left.
    A loud alarm system can be a deterrent, but it will usually only go off once
    damage has been done, wheras a visible physical deterrent avoids even that
    damage.
    Leaving a dog in the car does not work either as my relative found out, when
    his car was left while he went into a shop, he returned to find the dog
    being dragged away and a pykie asking him for 500 pounds or the dog would be
    killed, while he watched. he eventually paid 300 pounds and got the dog
    back. (rural Kent, within the last year)

    mrcheerful (not a believer in immobilisers on older cars)
     
    mrcheerful , Jun 11, 2004
    #16
  17. kaka_uet

    Bill Unruh Guest

    ]]>
    ]> >
    ]> > the point is that the car is likely to be left alone , the steering lock
    ]> > will easily transfer to your next vehicle too. eigthy quid is b all
    ]> > compared to the cost of a broken window, smashed ign switch and
    ]cowlings,
    ]> > which is the minimum a thief will do before discovering that there is an
    ]> > immobiliser.
    ]> >
    ]> >
    ]>
    ]> The best option, as mentioned before, is to have a visible deterrent such
    ]as
    ]> a steering lock... however ...
    ]>
    ]> The cheapest option by far, (and just as effective as an immobiliser in my
    ]> view), is to have a nice bright sticker in the window saying "IMMOBILISER
    ]> FITTED". If a thief is going to have a go at nicking your car, he is
    ]going
    ]> to do the damage anyway so its irrelevent wether it really has an
    ]> immobiliser anyway. The key word is 'deterrent', you dont even want him to
    ]> 'have a go' in the first place!
    ]>
    ]>

    ]They don't take any notice of stickers. The last vehicle of mine to have an
    ]attempt at theft was a non running sierra. It had immobiliser stickers, a
    ]visible place for the immobiliser fob with a flashing light next to it.
    ]They got in using a key, smashed the covers off and cut the wires to the ign
    ]switch, damaged the steering lock, but of course found that the immobiliser
    ]prevented anything from happening (it could not run even with the
    ]immobiliser key in as the engine is borked) They then went away. If I had
    ]had a nice big disclock on, then I am sure they would not have bothered to
    ]even get in. My other cars, even my old metro have a disclock or stoplock

    Bolt cutters to cut off the stearing wheel, and griplocks to steer the car
    with.
     
    Bill Unruh, Jun 12, 2004
    #17
  18. Have you actually seen a disclock or ever cut off a steering wheel??

    mrcheerful
     
    mrcheerful , Jun 12, 2004
    #18
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.