How effective is the factory alarm?

[Rob98GST]

We are having problems at work with cars in the parking lot being stolen. My car has the factory alarm.

I was thinking about doing the fuel pump wire mod and placing a switch inline and installing the switch under the carpet of the passenger seat. Or maybe another location - maybe through the back seat next to the seatbelt connectors.

I know that the factory alarm has a starter kill, but I am not sure if I trust it. The owner’s manual says one way to deactivate the starter kill is to turn the key in the ignition. I don't know much about stealing cars, but if they can punch the key ignition slot some how, couldn't they override the starter kill and start the car?

I was thinking of even taking it a step further and removing the starter relay under the hood every day(what a pain though). Or at least doing that until I can get the fuel pump cut off switch installed. Removing this relay would prevent the car from being started correct?

Or would I just be better off getting an aftermarket alarm installed?

Anyone sugest any other preventitive mearsures I could do? I have already installed a blinking LED that activates whenever the ignition is off.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[dave99gst]

aftermarket isnt all that effective either. If they want it , it will be gone. alarms just help against small timer'ers that duno wtf there doing. a switch on the pump REALLY REALLY well hiden is prob the best thing you can do. As a quick fix, ya can just unplug the CAS. it WILL not start (unless they see it unplug'd ) The switch thing is easy enought to do. a ok place to stash it would be unger your cupholder . not it the glove box or along the side of the seat or under the dash anywere.

 

[dynatos]

plus in the case of my car, they screw-driverred the lock, which turned off the alarm

I purchased a key switch (rotory key, like on vending machines) to hide for a fuel cut. That way, even if they find the switch, they'll have a heck of a time getting it switched.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Get a decent aftermarket system with field sensors and a two-way pager. That way you'll buy enough time to get to your car if the alarm trips and beat the shit out of the thief.

ROW

 

[Coup D E'Tat]

Does someone have a link to the "fuel pump wire mod?" I'm interested in doing this.

 

[Morel]

Take out the Fuse for the fuel pump outta the fuse box under the drivers side dash..

 

[Defiant]

1.) Get a piece of 3/8" plywood, 18" square.

2.) Buy some attractive upholstery material that co-ordinates nicely with your interior. Avoid flowery material.

3.) Get some foam rubber, 1½" thick, also 18" square.

4.) With contact cement, attach the foam to the plywood. Make sure all the edges of the plywood are nicely sanded and smooth, so that the foam and the upholstery material will have a good, finished appearance when you're done.

5.) With the foam attached, and on a clean surface, turn the assembly over onto the foam so that the wooden bottom is facing you. Using scrap wood, support the edges of the piece so that the foam is held off the work surface by about ¼".

6.) With a power driver, run approximately 100 motherfu(king drywall screws, 1¼" long, through the backing and into the foam.

7.) Using a tuck-and-bead method, upholster the cushion. It's nice to finish both sides, or do an attractive stain job on the back. You may want to embellish with an appropriate DSM design.

8.) When leaving your car, place the cushion on the driver's seat. Be sure to remove it before sitting again, or when leaving the car with a mechanic (that you like) or a valet.

You now have an attractive, self-powered theft deterrant, complete with its own audible alarm (depending on the thief's singing abilities) and DNA sampler.

 

[dave99gst]

Originally posted by Rice Over Wheat
Get a decent aftermarket system with field sensors and a two-way pager. That way you'll buy enough time to get to your car if the alarm trips and beat the shit out of the thief.

ROW

so ya can get there in time to get shot -

 

[EclipseGST-95]

i say go with the club :laugh:

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Originally posted by dave99gst
so ya can get there in time to get shot -

Guess we'll have ourselves a shoot-out then.

ROW

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Originally posted by Defiant
1.) Get a piece of 3/8" plywood, 18" square.

2.) Buy some attractive upholstery material that co-ordinates nicely with your interior. Avoid flowery material.

3.) Get some foam rubber, 1½" thick, also 18" square.

4.) With contact cement, attach the foam to the plywood. Make sure all the edges of the plywood are nicely sanded and smooth, so that the foam and the upholstery material will have a good, finished appearance when you're done.

5.) With the foam attached, and on a clean surface, turn the assembly over onto the foam so that the wooden bottom is facing you. Using scrap wood, support the edges of the piece so that the foam is held off the work surface by about ¼".

6.) With a power driver, run approximately 100 motherfu(king drywall screws, 1¼" long, through the backing and into the foam.

7.) Using a tuck-and-bead method, upholster the cushion. It's nice to finish both sides, or do an attractive stain job on the back. You may want to embellish with an appropriate DSM design.

8.) When leaving your car, place the cushion on the driver's seat. Be sure to remove it before sitting again, or when leaving the car with a mechanic (that you like) or a valet.

You now have an attractive, self-powered theft deterrant, complete with its own audible alarm (depending on the thief's singing abilities) and DNA sampler.

That really isn't a bad idea

 

[Morel]

Originally posted by EclipseGST-95
i say go with the club :laugh:

Clubs are completely worthless for anything other then the most beginner of car thieves..

You can saw thru a steering wheel in 10 seconds..

 

[EclipseGST-95]

i was jokin dude hence the :laugh: <---

 

[dynatos]

Originally posted by Defiant
1.) Get a piece of 3/8" plywood, 18" square.

2.) Buy some attractive upholstery material that co-ordinates nicely with your interior. Avoid flowery material.

3.) Get some foam rubber, 1½" thick, also 18" square.

4.) With contact cement, attach the foam to the plywood. Make sure all the edges of the plywood are nicely sanded and smooth, so that the foam and the upholstery material will have a good, finished appearance when you're done.

5.) With the foam attached, and on a clean surface, turn the assembly over onto the foam so that the wooden bottom is facing you. Using scrap wood, support the edges of the piece so that the foam is held off the work surface by about ¼".

6.) With a power driver, run approximately 100 motherfu(king drywall screws, 1¼" long, through the backing and into the foam.

7.) Using a tuck-and-bead method, upholster the cushion. It's nice to finish both sides, or do an attractive stain job on the back. You may want to embellish with an appropriate DSM design.

8.) When leaving your car, place the cushion on the driver's seat. Be sure to remove it before sitting again, or when leaving the car with a mechanic (that you like) or a valet.

You now have an attractive, self-powered theft deterrant, complete with its own audible alarm (depending on the thief's singing abilities) and DNA sampler.

can you write up a tech article aboue that? :laugh:

 

[Morel]

Originally posted by Morel
Clubs are completely worthless for anything other then the most beginner of car thieves..

You can saw thru a steering wheel in 10 seconds..

:laugh: :laugh:

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by Morel
Clubs are completely worthless for anything other then the most beginner of car thieves..

You can saw thru a steering wheel in 10 seconds..

Saw? Pf. Wire cutters. The small double-action bolt cutters will snip steering wheel rod in a trice.

The factory alarm is only good if a lock is forced, or one of the switches (doors, hatch, hood) is closed while armed. It then shuts off the starter circuit after having its little conniption. However, someone can break a window, lean in and clean the car out without the alarm making so much as a tweet. For just keeping the car from moving, have disablers on the starter and fuel pump.

 

[TurBoGs-T]

I agree with the previous post saying "it they want it they are gonna get it" There are people who are professional car theives. People who know how the more advanced systems work and can disarm them without a problem. Just have faith i guess.