Kill Switch

[homermacleod]

I'm thinking about installing a killswitch in my truck.  I saw a youtube video where the guy suggested using the ECM fuse for the kill switch.  Would that not cause the ecm to reset every time you use the kill switch (similar to disconnecting the battery)?

 

Anyone have any suggestions on which fuse to use for a kill switch?

[richard wysong]

I would use the starter relay signal wire

[homermacleod]

3 hours ago, richard wysong said:

I would use the starter relay signal wire

Thanks Richard

[e.texerado]

been researching this also, was looking for fuel pump relay. Guess has module instead. Got all freaked out when co workers ltz was stolen in Dallas area. Didn't realize how easy these are to steal. Onstar was useless. Faraday cage or pouch is a must have.

[Jethro71]

On 1/27/2023 at 2:47 AM, richard wysong said:

I would use the starter relay signal wire

Where is the starter relay signal wire?  I've been thinking about adding a kill switch in some manner and that's the best I've heard so far.

[fishlessam]

If you interrupt the starter relay signal wire or fuel pump control wire your remote start will not work,I would interrupt the pass lock circuit instead because the factory remote start bypasses the pass lock .

[Paul Beaudet]

My friend just had a system put in his jeep that disables the push button start.

 

Apparently, without the push button start working, the latest methods to steal cars don't work.

 

I'll be putting in my 23 Sierra (whenever it shows up) and will post about it.

[Transient]

On 1/28/2023 at 6:46 AM, e.texerado said:

been researching this also, was looking for fuel pump relay. Guess has module instead. Got all freaked out when co workers ltz was stolen in Dallas area. Didn't realize how easy these are to steal. Onstar was useless. Faraday cage or pouch is a must have.

Did he track his truck with the MyChevrolet app?

[JP642]

Any data/details on how are they stealing our vehicles? I have not googled how to steal a Tahoe/Sierra as I will end up in a database somewhere

[Mike Duhaime]

On 3/7/2023 at 11:16 AM, Transient said:

Did he track his truck with the MyChevrolet app?

My Chev app can tell you when the truck starts. It should be standard that we get a text or email anytime the truck leaves or is started. I'm going yo install a dummy OBD2 plug, and relocate the OEM one. Dealer will have note on file that OBD2 plug is in a hidden location. A kill switch to starter relay (will lose remote start)

Make sure to back in parking spot with ebrake on. So hard to believe these vehicles are getting stolen so easy!

[Mike Duhaime]

On 1/26/2023 at 11:12 PM, homermacleod said:

I'm thinking about installing a killswitch in my truck.  I saw a youtube video where the guy suggested using the ECM fuse for the kill switch.  Would that not cause the ecm to reset every time you use the kill switch (similar to disconnecting the battery)?

 

Anyone have any suggestions on which fuse to use for a kill switch?

I'm tapping into the starter wire, hidden switch.  Then getting a fake OBD2 connector and shorting 12 volt wire to ground, in hopes of shorting out a thief's scanner. Always back into parking spot, ebrake on to make towing more difficult. Adding an alarm to go off if towed...jacked up on angle. The My chev app can email or text each time the truck starts...that shoild be a standard thing...as we would know the second it starts. My crappy Kia had that!

These car makers have to protect us better.

If you didn't do anything to your truck, and find yourself leaving it at an unsafe place...you can simply pull the ECM relay out from under hood. No one can start your truck and it will be where you left it. Costs nothing

[Transient]

48 minutes ago, Mike Duhaime said:

My Chev app can tell you when the truck starts. It should be standard that we get a text or email anytime the truck leaves or is started. I'm going yo install a dummy OBD2 plug, and relocate the OEM one. Dealer will have note on file that OBD2 plug is in a hidden location. A kill switch to starter relay (will lose remote start)

Make sure to back in parking spot with ebrake on. So hard to believe these vehicles are getting stolen so easy!

I looked into several vehicle trackers today, ironically.  There are ones you can buy that don't use the OBD2 port.  Some of them mount directly to the battery.  This, and EMP protection have been high on my list.

 

Chevy Silverado has consistently ranked high for theft.  A lot of times it's the owners being negligent in 1 way or another.  I see this a lot in my neighborhood, and we have private security.

 

Backing into a parking spot and setting the e-brake won't change anything.  If a tow truck is used it'll just pick up the truck and, dragging the rear wheels until it's far enough away that it can install a cradle for the wheels to suit on.  I've seen it lots of times when people park in no parking spots.

 

If you try to driveway with the parking brake engages the brake will automatically disengage. 

 

Imo, the best way to prevent your vehicle from being stolen is to make it unique.  Thieves don't want vehicles that are easy for police to identify.  You don't need to paint it funky colors that look like a unicorn barfed all over your truck.  Just some subtle things that you like/says about you that makes your truck unique. 

[Mike Duhaime]

4 minutes ago, Transient said:

I looked into several vehicle trackers today, ironically.  There are ones you can buy that don't use the OBD2 port.  Some of them mount directly to the battery.  This, and EMP protection have been high on my list.

 

Chevy Silverado has consistently ranked high for theft.  A lot of times it's the owners being negligent in 1 way or another.  I see this a lot in my neighborhood, and we have private security.

 

Backing into a parking spot and setting the e-brake won't change anything.  If a tow truck is used it'll just pick up the truck and, dragging the rear wheels until it's far enough away that it can install a cradle for the wheels to suit on.  I've seen it lots of times when people park in no parking spots.

 

If you try to driveway with the parking brake engages the brake will automatically disengage. 

 

Imo, the best way to prevent your vehicle from being stolen is to make it unique.  Thieves don't want vehicles that are easy for police to identify.  You don't need to paint it funky colors that look like a unicorn barfed all over your truck.  Just some subtle things that you like/says about you that makes your truck unique. 

My insurance agent told me that all her claims were for Ford, Dodge and Jeep. My son is a police officer, and mentioned it's always new Ford pickups getting stolen, then Honda CRV because they are easy to steal! . I'm in an area close to shipyards, where thieves take the vehicles right to containers. All going to Italy, then Africa. New GM trucks are not on the hot list of stolen vehicles. ON STAR definitely makes it risky.

[Transient]

17 minutes ago, Mike Duhaime said:

My insurance agent told me that all her claims were for Ford, Dodge and Jeep. My son is a police officer, and mentioned it's always new Ford pickups getting stolen, then Honda CRV because they are easy to steal! . I'm in an area close to shipyards, where thieves take the vehicles right to containers. All going to Italy, then Africa. New GM trucks are not on the hot list of stolen vehicles. ON STAR definitely makes it risky.

Your son and your insurance agent are hardly the authority on this.  The NCIB definitely are the authority, though.  2004-2006 Chevy Silverado (#1) and GMC Sierra (#6) are too contenders for being stolen.  Nobody wants to steal a Ram though, since it didn't appear on the list.  Probably because none make to be 20 years old.   F-150 was #2 on the list.  Most recent data is for calendar year 2021.  2022 data won't be available until around August. 

 

Here's an article:  https://jalopnik.com/these-are-the-most-stolen-vehicles-in-america-1849356530

 

I live 20 minutes from the Mexican border, and have a major port even closer than that.  But I digress, and I'm done flexing on that one for now. 

Edited March 9, 2023 by Transient

[jaxcam02]

I think the easiest kill switch to stop people trying to use signal repeaters would be to wire in to the push start button. You could still remote start and not being able to take control and unlock the steering wheel without the push start button being pressed. Simple enough to do yourself and hide the wiring and switch and could be abstract enough for a simple car thief to track down in the short amount of time they were hoping.