Making my own "immboilizer"

[Overboosted]

I am thinking of putting a hidden switch in my car that needs to be switched on to start the car. I am thinking of using the ecu power wire but I am not sure if putting that on a switch would be wise.

I was thinking CAS or fuel pump at first but if I can find something a little closer to the dash it would make my life easier plus I dont really want to run 6 feet more wire to a vital part if I dont need to.

I am pretty open where I would mount the switch but I am thinking behing the ecu would be best.

Is there a wire for the starter in this general area? That would be prefect since it wouldent even crank

All opinions welcome

Thanks

[95gto]

The best approach would be to have a switch that when thrown will have a relay open the starter wire. This way the wire will be connected with the relay not being energized, but when you throw the switch you do energize the relay and open the circuit. This is a method similiar to what is employed by aftermarket secuity systems.

The ignition harness is right there by the steering column so it's quite convenient and to do all the work you won't have to remove too many panels.

[Overboosted]

Originally Posted by 95gto

The best approach would be to have a switch that when thrown will have a relay open the starter wire. This way the wire will be connected with the relay not being energized, but when you throw the switch you do energize the relay and open the circuit. This is a method similiar to what is employed by aftermarket secuity systems.

The ignition harness is right there by the steering column so it's quite convenient and to do all the work you won't have to remove too many panels.

But why use a realy? why not just extend the wire a bit and put it on a switch? I couldent see a longer wire causing the starter issues, if there is a wire in the ecu harness that controls the starter even better.

IMO keeping it simple = less possible issues.

Feel free to correct me if I am missing something though

[Lord Warlock]

agree, a short wire to the starter solenoid wire that opens the circuit till the switch is used will keep someone from starting the car...unless they push start it. Easy to conceal, a small toggle under the dash or better yet, use an old switch not used anymore such as the active exhaust button (if you've put an aftermarket exhaust on it) or even sneakier, the window lock button on the drivers door, a totally useless button to start with.

[TheOmniscientRT]

a relay would work best, it will act a a fuse for one thing, a switch could add resistance make the part not function as well, a relay wouldnt, you could hide the rlay close to the part(ecu, pump, ect) and stick the switch out in the open. A car theif is first gonna look under the dash to find extra wires to see if there is a security system and rip them out or bypass them. everything a car thief needs to steal a car is right at the steering colum, so any securtiy device you put in needs to be some were they are not going to look.
If you really want to be sneaky. Use a relay on the starter wireunder the hood and run the wires to a momentary switch. That way the starter wire can only be powered when the button is pressed, so you have to press the button or when you turn the key it does nothing. this will alos keep some1 from hotwiring because putting power on the starter wire will not send power to the starter thanks to the relay. You could then hide the memontary switch, say under the ashtray, that way all you have to do is push down on the ashtray a little bit and turn the key and she fires up. not pushing on the ashtray would keep it from starting. its less obvious than pushing a button.

[95gto]

Using a relay is the propper way to do it, especially considering the undersized electrical system on these cars. If you use a big enough toggle switch you could just cut the starter wire and extend it to a switch but keep in mind the stater wire in the ignition harness is a 12ga or 10ga wire for a reason. So you would be running thick wires to the switch.

Hooking the kill/immobilizer relay up to the starter solenoid relay under the hood would be more concealed since most thieves would not know what they were looking at. Additionally it would provide an opportunity to do the starter relay wiring upgrade.

[Overboosted]

Originally Posted by 95gto

Additionally it would provide an opportunity to do the starter relay wiring upgrade.

[TheOmniscientRT]

Originally Posted by Overboosted

do a search for "Click, Click, Start"

[Lord Warlock]

If you haven't caught that disease, don't worry, you will one day and then you'll understand the link.