Immobilizer/Push-button start

ctishman · Post by **ctishman** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:38 am

So when they stole my Tercel the second time, they screwed up the ignition pretty well. I've gotten it in my head that the best solution to this problem is to forego Toyota's shitty ignition (which doesn't really seem to slow them down anyway) in favor of a hidden killswitch (or better yet, a pull-key of some sort) and a push-button start. I've been quoted $125 for this installation by a local car electronics shop. Is that price reasonable?

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:49 am

But then everyone at the shop will know where it is..........
This sort of thing is best left to home install.

Lollypop · Post by **Lollypop** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:04 am

Thats right Tyrus

We had a rash of car stereo thefts here localy where the thieves were able to get around all the super hi-tech security gizmo with all the hidden traps and all to steal the works

Seems the guys at the stereo place was installin and then UNinstallin at oppurtune minutes.

-----Justin-----

takza · Post by **takza** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:49 am

Can't beat this price for a basic battery switch?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=92688

Should be used on the ground wire?

Might take 2 15A switches...one to turn it on and one to bump the starter? Found at a parts store.....

Put them somewhere else...but don't forget the steering wheel lock?

ctishman · Post by **ctishman** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:39 pm

Ordered one of those cut-off switches. I'll ask around on how to install it.

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:37 pm

ctishman -
Glad the Tercel is back - remember - it still has 7 lives left...
When you get the cut-off switch installed (the one in takza's link?), be sure to wite up something for Repair Guides, and with a pix or two, if possible.
While I doubt any of us will need this to foil a repo man, others could have a similar situation with the temptation of a desirable audio system leading to more damage than just the theft of the system (bad enough, I know).
Good Luck!
Tom M.

takza · Post by **takza** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 5:21 am

Understand that the thieves are trolling the various car forums looking for info on the cars they break into.

They want to do what they do in a hurry and without getting caught....and they usually don't care about any damage they do...unless it's to something they want to resell.

You just need to slow things down and make it more difficult...so they go find easier prey.

You don't want to post the details.

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:07 pm

takza -
Hmmm about the trolling....
In my naivete, I had not considered that .
I just considered - " Steal a Tercel ?!?!?! "
Good point.
Tom M.

takza · Post by **takza** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 5:59 pm

ctishman · Post by **ctishman** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:57 am

Yeah, at this point all I want to do is make it hard for them to steal it. If it's more work that it's worth, chances are they'll leave it alone. I ordered two killswitches - one to install in the cabin, another for the engine compartment that I'll remove when I'm going to leave it for a long time, or am parking in a city or something.