Easy Simple Diy Immobiliser

[johnhenry 20]

Morning

 

I've removed my alarm, but I want to have some sort of immobiliser when i leave the car, would like a simple DIY immobiliser that is simple to use, but would be almost invisible to everyone else.

 

Welcoming all suggestions, will check when im back from work.

 

Cheers

John

 

 

[welshpug 1,657]

remove the coil.

[GilesW 41]

Answer will depend on how easy you want it's activation to be.

 

Removing teh coil is great, but not if it's raining, or if you're out for a meal (stick it on teh table next to your wallet and keys whilst eating????).

So - when do you wnat to immobilise it, how easy do you want it to be, how often do you want to do it?

[dcc 855]

ECU earth on a switch

[Anthony 1,003]

Easiest thing is to install a simple toggle switch somewhere hidden that cuts the feed to the fuel pump, ignition, starter or similar. Wouldn't be difficult to add a couple of extra wires and redirect the output for those circuits to the horn, meaning any attempt to start the car with the switch in the "disabled" position would sound the horn and (hopefully) draw attention to the car.

 

Alternative is removing say the fuel pump fuse or tachymetric (fuel pump) relay, but that's a bit of a faff everytime you leave the car.

 

Personally, I'd just install a stand alone CAT2 immobiliser and be done with it - a nice transponder based one is what I favour as then they're just like a modern car where it "reads" the keyfob automatically when you put the key in the ignition. Toad Powerkey is such a system that I've used.

[johnhenry 20]

im ideally after something really discrete, whilst coil removal is a dead cert to not get nicked, its pretty bulky etc etc.

Something like Anthony suggests - wiring something a toggle that will trigger the horn if tried to start when in 'off' mode, sounds like exactly what i need, cheap and easy DIY! just add other little deterrents like the alarm sensors and the immobiliser light

 

I would get a CAT 2 or something like that, my only gripe is that ive just had to remove a system only installed last year that was so poorly done it just gave me no confidence in the unit. I had an immobiliser lock the car down and shut everything off in the outside lane of a motorway previously (that was the diagnostic from the RAC guy) - so i've removed 2 alarm systems from it, both were equally poorly installed, kind of put me off get a professional in to do the job, and im not exactly an electrical genius - so the really simple system seems perfect!

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

As Anthony says. Get a decent transponder immobiliser and it will do its thing without you having to do anything other than just get in turn the key as usual and go. If you are worried about installation standard either DIY install it, or have it installed but stand over the fitters shoulder and ensure its done to your standards. I had to do this once before on a 405Mi16, a so called professionally installed immobiliser failed after 6 months leaving me stranded outside a girlfriends house in the middle of Sheffield with no tools. "Luckily" it was so badly installed I managed to bypass it in 5 mins using nothing more than my car keys and teeth. i threatened the installing company with reporting them to Thatcham and having their accreditation revoked, they then sent a fitter to fit another one, I had the guy there 4 hours doing a job I was happy with.

[GLPoomobile 958]

Most insurers require you to have at least a CAT2 immobiliser anyway, so if it was me I'd be putting a proper one in rather than only relying on something clever and hidden.

 

I'm no electrical genius either, but I was able to build a complete Mi16 engine loom from scratch, so I always say "if I can do it, anyone can". With that in mind, I honestly believe it shouldn't be too much of a challenge for anyone to fit their own immob/alarm if they are armed (no pun intended) with the right info. There's some good guides on line if you look about. I found a good one ages back that someone had written when installing a Toad Ai606, and I've seen Anthony's guide too.

 

The benefits of doing it yourself are:

1 - Taking your time to do it properly and tidily

2 - You know how you've fitted it, so helps with future fault finding

3 - You can taylor the install, hiding the important bits where you want, and immobilising the circuits you want and where.

4 - You don't have to worry about some other ham fisted monkey breaking your trim. If it gets brokem , it's your own fault!

 

I'm also a strong advocate of using a quick release steering boss (requires a non standard steering wheel). It's quick and simple, and a strong visual deterrent (although not practical for immobilising the car whilst you're away shopping!). You'll always get the usual people who'll see problems in anything and poo-poo this solution, but in 5 years of living in central London my cars were never touched with the steering wheel removed.

[DanteICE 72]

If the cowling above the drivers legs is removed, you could just pull the fuel pump relay?

[welshpug 1,657]

you can do without removing that.

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

A fuel tap is something I was unaware of until recently.

[DanteICE 72]

you can do without removing that.

 

I'm confused?

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

I used to remove the rotor arm... who looks under the dizzy cap when they try to steal a car...

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

I used to pull the wire off the starter when I lived in (a rough part of) leicester, didnt stop some F**ckers ruining the lock and smashing the window to steal my cd player and other bits.

Fair few years ago and I'm still bitter about it!

[AndyCrom 64]

I like my Ai606, but you could always try just unplugging either the afm or the ecu water temp sender

[AndyCrom 64]

either that or..... http://youtu.be/HFoUL_bIotw?t=40s