Roadster theft deterrent - coil interupt toggle an option??

[Jeff_J.]

I was thinking of giving the Roadster a little more theft deterrent and wondering what others have done.

There's not much that can stop a professional or person/s with above average skills, it's the joyriders I'm thinking of who generally want to steal it for fun - drive it a couple of miles and dump it and you get the car back with damage.
Some have put in a quick release steering wheel, that's a good option - I wonder if that can be installed in conjunction with my RT turn signal kit or if it further decreases the distance from the Steering wheel to the driver?? Others have installed electronic immobilisers, some of which I understand are not as effective as they were 4-5 years ago. Some go with "the club". I also considered a cutoff in the clutch safety switch circuit but I think a hot wired ignition would bypass the safety switch. I thought of a fuel pump cutoff switch and spoke with Holley about inserting a switch into the sniper power supply to the fuel pump or ignition circuit but he was a flat NO to that "messing with the wiring could damage the sniper ECU", he suggested to pull the inline fuse, considering were it's located that would be a pain to do.

How about the 12V power supply to the coil? Many builds and mine supply 12V to the coil comes via switched power from the fuse box. Would a strategically located (under dash) toggle (cutoff) be an option or might this cause problems I haven't considered up or down stream???? Since it's switched and not connected to the sniper I think it should play nice there...

It's not difficult to bypass a coil power interrupt, provided; 1. You know that's the no start issue, 2. Can gain access to the engine bay and do the bypass, 3. This would all be after doing the ignition bypass and cranking the motor for 30 - 40 seconds without success. I'm thinking most joyriders would give up and move on to the Caravan.. lol

If a viable option this might only be an effective solution for the joyriding group, professionals or better prepared thieves will get your car and you probably won't see it again, which might be a good reason to build another..
Any thoughts on the coil interrupt idea or maybe another suggestion??

[42Bfast]

There are a number of places to interrupt a circuit that would cause a no-start condition. Those do vary somewhat with the specific components. (Coyote vs push rod, etc)
In addition to what you have identified another that I have seen mentioned is the inertia switch system. It’s easy to tap into and is a peripheral circuit so might not be as obvious as a main circuit. However, it does shut off the fuel pump so if cranking over the engine without power to the fuel pump causes EFI issues then you might want to avoid that too.

[JohnK]

Lots of folks worry about this and take all sorts of measures. I guess it depends on how big an issue this is in your area and how you drive the car. I don't drive the roadster anywhere where I can't keep a constant eye on it, so I don't really worry about it. That said, I do have several items I've incorporated that will confuse the easily confused. 1) steering wheel quick release, 2) battery master cutoff, 3) cutoff switch on the fuel pump inertia switch mounted on the under dash panel, 3) keyless ignition system, 4) E-Stopp electric parking brake that is only energized with the ignition circuit on.

All that said, as you point out, a pro will simply pull it on a flatbed and be gone with it (parking brake or no parking brake).

To your question about whether a quick release can be installed with the RT turn signal system - yes, it can. It does take up a little extra space, but was not an issue for me.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=173202&d=1664584862

[BrewCityCobra]

I'm no expert but did do a similar thought experiment recently so figured I would chime in.

In the end, I figured there are about four layers of "protection" for the car as I currently have mine built - 1) the ignition key, 2) the battery cutoff key, 3) fuel cutoff switch under the dash (spliced into the inertia switch), and a detachable steering wheel.

Is it bulletproof - no - but if your concern is just stopping joyriders from taking advantage I have to think that would be more than enough - probably even overkill (even if you don't have one of the battery or fuel cutoff). An ignition dead switch would be nice too in addition to or even in place of the above.

In the end, my personal conclusion was so long as the car has the traditional key and one additional layer (be it any of the above) it's probably as good as can practically be for an open top car.

[weendoggy]

Battery master cut-off switch, period. First they have to find it, then access it to try and jump it, and can't get to my battery. My daily driver(s) are easier to steal.

[Fman]

You already have the ultimate theft deterrent system = manual transmission :cool: I thought about doing the same as you during my build but I’m finding I rarely park my car anywhere that I am not around it. I also store it in my locked garage. You don’t hear often these cars getting stolen but I guess anything is possible.

You could always just use a master disconnect with removable key, simple and would more than likely be very effective. Plus it’s nice to have power cut off to avoid any electrical issues when vehicle is parked.

[Jeff_J.]

All good suggestions. I do have the Master Cutoff, it's under the dash and does not have a removable Flag key.. The Fuel Cutoff from the Inertia is good too much the same as the coil cutoff I'd think. I built the car to take it places so it's going to be "out there" overnight in as secure a spot as I can find, I plan to order a "Rod Top" as soon as they are available again. Going to investigate the detachable steering wheel again too.
Thx for the input
JJ

[GoDadGo]

I've got the following:

1. Keyed Battery Switch (Hidden)
2. Keyed Starter Interrupt Switch (Hidden)
3. Removable Steering Wheel (I Take It With Me)
4. Factory Five Ignition Keyed Switch.

Chances are if somebody wants it, it will be towed away.

[F500guy]

I did buy a master cutoff with removable key and coil interrupt contacts. If they get past that, maybe issue a metal for fortitude!

Nothing a thief can or will do is amazing anymore, the stolen hardware to steal something is amazing!

[weendoggy]

All good suggestions. I do have the Master Cutoff, it's under the dash and does not have a removable Flag key.. The Fuel Cutoff from the Inertia is good too much the same as the coil cutoff I'd think. I built the car to take it places so it's going to be "out there" overnight in as secure a spot as I can find, I plan to order a "Rod Top" as soon as they are available again. Going to investigate the detachable steering wheel again too.
Thx for the input
JJ

Didn't mention my master 'has' a removeable key. I've also been on lots of trips and just used a cover at night. I guess you could always pitch a tent a sleep beside it. :rolleyes: aka

[DW66]

Jeff,
I have a Coyote and built my car to drive as well as you. Stays in hotel parking lots overnight. I don't really like it but if you want to drive and take trips it is what it is. I like others would suggest the removable key style master cut off. I have a top and always have it on when traveling any distance. I plan on getting a car cover as well before our next trip to LCS. Between a car cover a top and a removable master disconnect you should be safe. Unfortunately nothing can stop a ramp truck. Just try to park strategically when you can.

Dave

[GoDadGo]

Jeff,
Unfortunately nothing can stop a ramp truck. Just try to park strategically when you can.
Dave

Gentlemen,


Covered parking lots are often way tooooo short for tow trucks to enter much less maneuver.
Having worked in banking for 41 years, specifically the dark side, has got me going all sorts of places.
As an example Louisiana Superdome Covered Parking Lot is the absolute the worst place to repossess any vehicle.
With that said, consider traveling venues where you are staying over night that have covered lots because tow trucks won't go there.

Steve

[Mike.Bray]

There is an orange wire from the Ign Feed section of the RF fuse panel that feeds power to the ECU or coil. I originally connected my ECU to a wire from the ACC Feed by mistake and during cranking there wasn't enough voltage for it to start.

Breaking that orange wire will definitely keep your engine from starting.

[Scott L]

If you run an MSD 6AL box there is a circuit (white wire) to disable the ignition box. Simply put a switch in line and run it to ground.

[Jeff Kleiner]

There is an orange wire from the Ign Feed section of the RF fuse panel that feeds power to the ECU or coil. I originally connected my ECU to a wire from the ACC Feed by mistake and during cranking there wasn't enough voltage for it to start.

Breaking that orange wire will definitely keep your engine from starting.

Correct. That supplies power while cranking then drops out when the key is switched back to the run position.

Me? I usually take the key out when I park somewhere. Usually...there have been a few times when I've been at the grocery, out to eat, at the hardware store or whatever when I've realized that I didn't have the key in my pocket. So far it's always been there when I have come back out :) Insure it, drive it and don't stress about it.

Jeff

[Jeff_J.]

I think the ignition cutoff will work best for me at this point Orange wire, I do have the master cutoff under dash but the handle is held on with a screw, maybe there is a work around there, the Rod Top is in my future as well. Hey Steve (Go Daddy) you stay at better hotels than I do if you have underground parking ( LOL ). Nothing is a guarantee but more than 2+ layers of deterrent is better than 1. Thanks for sharing and the input guys, this is always a popular topic, and better dealt with earlier in the build.

** Hey Weendoggy - Taking the roadster to a campground actually sounded like it might be fun but then the reality of sleeping on the ground ended that idea.. :D

[Jeff_J.]

Hey Jeff, Thanks for confirming the orange wire thought. Not sure how i'd deal with not finding the keys in my pocket but i don't think it would be pretty. I think the de-stressing will happen the more I use it.
Thx JJ.

[Mike.Bray]

Hey Jeff, Thanks for confirming the orange wire thought. Not sure how i'd deal with not finding the keys in my pocket but i don't think it would be pretty. I think the de-stressing will happen the more I use it.
Thx JJ.

If you have trouble keeping up with a key, or a FOB in my case, get a small logic controller and install 5 or 6 toggle switches. Program the logic controller so that you have to flip the switches in a sequence to enable the ignition. That should slow them down lol

[OSU Cowboy]

I wired my clutch safety switch to a toggle switch hidden under the dash.

Removable steering wheel (Breeze) also.

[Jeff_J.]

Toggle on the clutch switch would be super easy but I figured if its hotwired at the ignition (Key) switch it might bypass the clutch safety switch.

[Avalanche325]

1. Insurance.
2. Battery cutoff with removable key.

If you have a MSD ignition, chances are it won't run anyway. :p

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you have a MSD ignition, chances are it won't run anyway. :p

:D :D :D

I'll add that if you have an Optime battery it probably won't crank either :p

Jeff

[NiceGuyEddie]

Those red plastic battery cutoff keys are easily found at Pep Boys and they're all the same. My car is otherwise very easy to hot-wire so I have a fuel pump switch/relay hidden under the dash. The car runs for only about about 20 seconds with it off.

[Alan_C]

As others have said in threads like this one from the past, you can deter someone from starting the vehicle, but when it comes down to it, if they have a flatbed its gone.
I added a switch in the clutch safety switch circuit that would be very difficult for anyone to find in a timely manner. When goes on long trips, I had a good car cover. If you can see the Cobra, it will call to someone if only to look at the car. If they don't know what is under the car cover, they are not likely to look and find out. To a certain extent, we are always at some level of risk. All we can do is minimize the risk and then enjoy the time we have with the car.

[mikeinatlanta]

Has anyone even heard of one of these being stolen when parked? IMO, the biggest risk for theft is parking with it in a car trailer. Simply removing the key stops the joy rider and these things are relatively worthless to a chop shop.

[CraigS]

I had the battery cutoff switch in the trunk. So I removed the red key and locked the trunk. Before doing the orange wire I'd call Holley again just to be sure that won't affect the efi ecu.

[Railroad]

I was watching for someone with the Wilwood electric parking brakes to mention hiding a power switch, so the brakes could not be released.
I realize the main power disconnect would do the same, but just another block for an attempt.

[Sdonnel]

I use the removable steering wheel and also leave an empty holster for my .45 between the drivers seat and the trans tunnel. I have had more comments about the holster than anything. Insure it, drive it, and have fun.

[Lickity-Split]

Years ago I had a '68 camaro that was kept in the garage. Returning home from a weekend trip, I found the whole house had been gone through. All drawers were turned upside down and emptied onto the floor. The jars on the kitchen counter were dumped with contents spread onto the floor. The thieves were very thorough. No vandalism.
When I got to the garage the Camaro was there with it's hood open and the ignition cylinder was hanging out of the dash by its wires. Two had been disconnected. But, the car was still there.

A long time before I had installed a toggle switch under the dash that interrupted the 12v coil wire. It sure worked for me.

[ydousurf]

As stated, many very good ideas have been shared as solid deterrents. With that said, the most optimal defense in any case is to always have a multi-layered security approach implemented. And I agree, any vehicle can be taken in seconds with a flat bed or even better, an enclosed trailer.

However, it has not been mentioned as of yet, and I think the best and last line of security protection is the Apple Air Tag(S) or similar GPS Tracking product. Hidden in places that are hard to discover or reach! Notice the plural as in "more than one!"

I'm planning to implemented every angle of security (above) and will also plan to have more than one tag hidden, always hot, and always ready to report it's location. That and not leaving one's vehicle alone in a strange place for to long. I'll plan to treat my car like an expensive mountain bike? If it's not under me, it's at my house in the garage. Now days, leaving a bicycle with a lock (any kind of lock) is a no win scenario to someone with a portable angle grinder with diamond wheel on it!

Long gone are the days of respect! Where you once could leave items in the open, or in the cockpit of a really cool vehicle and people would not take them, let alone, steal the vehicle. Be mindful, vigilant and safe out there!

Doug

[iconicflux]

If you fill out the fight form/info with Tile they'll report without sending the alert that the device is following you. That way if someone does steal it then it's unlikely they'll know to look for that one. Just watch out for attenuation of signals.


As stated, many very good ideas have been shared as solid deterrents. With that said, the most optimal defense in any case is to always have a multi-layered security approach implemented. And I agree, any vehicle can be taken in seconds with a flat bed or even better, an enclosed trailer.

However, it has not been mentioned as of yet, and I think the best and last line of security protection is the Apple Air Tag(S) or similar GPS Tracking product. Hidden in places that are hard to discover or reach! Notice the plural as in "more than one!"

I'm planning to implemented every angle of security (above) and will also plan to have more than one tag hidden, always hot, and always ready to report it's location. That and not leaving one's vehicle alone in a strange place for to long. I'll plan to treat my car like an expensive mountain bike? If it's not under me, it's at my house in the garage. Now days, leaving a bicycle with a lock (any kind of lock) is a no win scenario to someone with a portable angle grinder with diamond wheel on it!

Long gone are the days of respect! Where you once could leave items in the open, or in the cockpit of a really cool vehicle and people would not take them, let alone, steal the vehicle. Be mindful, vigilant and safe out there!

Doug