anti-theft "killswitch"

[JamesDean]

hey eveyone,

i was just thinking about installing some kind of anti-theft killswitch on my 190E...i was thinking of somehow tapping into the ignition to make it so that the car is unable to start if someone tried to turn the key (unless the switch it on)...now i don't known where i'd tap into but..i do have a question..what would happen if this killswitch was accidentally bumped off while driving? would it turn the engine off? i am planning on putting maybe 2 switches and 1 push-button start (unless the circuit need to be complete 100% of the time...then see my previous question)

i am also looking for a good aftermarket alarm system...any suggesstions would be helpful...
thanks guys,

kris

[Gilly]

Couple easy things that pop into my mind would be a switch that kills the wire going back to the fuel pump, or a battery kill switch, but that would kill any alarm system. You could get "The Club", that usually deters any attempt at stealing the whole car, be sure to turn the wheel all the way one way or another as that might prevent a tow-away theft, which is getting more common as cars get hard to hot-wire. Add the type that prevent the brake pedal from being depressed. Of course someone could always just break a window and steal your radio, etc. I learned long ago that high end stereo stuff probably not worth it, just go with the factory stuff as some punk kid will try breaking into the car and ripping it off anyways.
Gilly

[raymond~]

i've had kill switches on all my vehicles the past 20 yrs. the E320 which i
purchased a couple of yrs back is the only exception....because i'm still learning
about it as it was so different and loaded with seemingly complex electronics.

the pick up truck has been stolen (attempted ) 4x and never has gotten more
than a 200 yds from the house. it doesn't even have an ignition lock now since
it's too old to locate a replacement. the multiple kill switch idea is how it's
equipped right now. works splendidly...plus, it has one of those simple dis-
connect fittings on the battery post which interrupts the connection when the
knob is removed. there are variations on a theme....eg knife switches but this
one seemed most compact.

[JamesDean]

i was thinking more along the lines of multiple kill switches on the starter motor...i'm not all that fond of putting the switch on the fuel pump as the engine could still turn over. ..

I've been thinking of a magnetic switch to mount below the surface of the dash. Just put the magnet on the dash and away you go. When you park, throw the magnet in the glovebox or sitck it to the side of the seat.

[Gilly]

Well sure you could just put aswitch, whatever type you want, on the signal wire (circuit 50) to the starter motor. Could even just wire it through an existing switch, would be totally hidden then.
Gilly

[JamesDean]

where is the signal wire (circuit 50) ?

[lee polowczuk]

i wouldn't spend too much money...

i don't worry about anyone stealing our cars.... think about it ...they really aren't worth much.

i guess if there is an inexpensive way to do it... do a prototype...and you may be able to make money selling to people on this board.

[JamesDean]

the switches i dont believe are too expensive maybe a few bucks each...i have wire thats no big deal ... ill see how this goes..and let the board know...

kris

[Gilly]

It's the wire that runs from the ignition switch to the neutral safety switch and then to the starter, signals the solenoid to operate.
Gilly

[CamelotShadow]

Not sure where this should be but got t his problem.
Battery was low so it went on safety.
I turned on the valet switch & charged the battery.
In the meanwhile I vacummed the car sticking a crevice nozzle under the seats & hard to reach areas.

Now I try to turn off the valet switch (its a toggle & I flip it as usual but won't turn off so its stuck in valet & I can't arm the alarm, I guess thats better than stuck in killswitch mode.

The car came w the alarm..its old but always functioned by killswitch however the alarm part never worked.

I can only think maybe I vacummed a wire but I've looked uner the seats & can see no obvious loose wire.

Only other thing I can think is to maybe disconnect a battery terminal but I have never had to do this on other occassions where I had to charge a low battery so I really don't think this will help & I am also not wanting to fool with the car systems by cutting power.

I've fiddled with wires under & checked under hood hoping I might just find a cure but even these old alarms were complicated.

I was hoping at first it was because the battery was not at full charge but its charged enough to start the car so I can't see why it wouldn't power the alarm.

I really don't kjnow what to do at this point.
I really like the comfort of having a killswitch in case of entry & buying a new alarm at this time is not inmy budget...

Any advice is appreciated..
Thanks