Read an interesting article the other night...
Evidently car theives are writing down the VIN number of the vehicle they want to steal. They then go to the dealer and tell them that they lost their key and need a replacement. Dealers are suppose to ask to see the title and ID but most don't.
They recommend covering the VIN when parking.

So primative but so effective

ehh doesn't make a diffrence for me, my ex start w/o the key now:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Tat2dExploder
ehh doesn't make a diffrence for me, my ex start w/o the key now:rolleyes:


hmmm......i know where u work too! LOL

you know i would never dare though.

hahah unfortunatey a lot of people know where i work, buttttttttt not a lot of people know that lil secrect about my truck ;)
i know you wouldn't do that... cuz if you did then YOU would have to start worrying about gettin a new motor and tranny:p

its not quite that simple to steal my truck

Originally posted by Tat2dExploder
hahah unfortunatey a lot of people know where i work, buttttttttt not a lot of people know that lil secrect about my truck ;)
i know you wouldn't do that... cuz if you did then YOU would have to start worrying about gettin a new motor and tranny:p

have you not been follwing up...just got mine back from the tranny shop yesterday:D

i would never do that to anyone...especially one thats cool as hell like you!

That scam has been around at least since the late 80s/early 90s (the first time I heard about it).

Thus the dealer is supposed to see proof of ID/title before they sell you a key. Otherwise I feel the dealer is responsible.

Originally posted by expo5.0
its not quite that simple to steal my truck

Same here, aftermarket alarm with starter kill.

:p

ford alarm with starter kill. but more importantly, if i am not within 50 feet of my truck, then some form of security is (at leaset now that it has been quasi-vandalized twice in the last month)

Wireless fuel cut off.....hehe Clifford Advantguard 4

Originally posted by udmsvt
:p

ford alarm with starter kill.

Yeah but if you open the door with the key it disarms.... ;)

actually no. it is made by codealarm for ford.

One thing you are all overlooking ....This is an URBAN LEDGEND...Can't get key from vin #...Think about it...It don't make sense......I am amazed at some of the things people will beleive.:D

Yea, I have heard about this many times on the web hapening. I always have my uncle retumble my truck to a totally different than my factory key. Plus the alarm and such.

Heh...if you have the keys to my truck...it accomplishes nothing....

NO not a urban legend in the USA. New Cars, since the early 90's have had the key code stored by the manufacturer by the VIN. The dealer sends the VIN to the manufacture who then provides the dealer with the proper code for the key machineand you got it, a key.

This is very important as newer cars have a computer chip in the key which also has to be duplicated or the car won't start.:eek:

After market alarms...Anyone who thinks their after market alarm installed by some local alarm place will stop a half way knowledgeable thief is naive. These systems are easily bypassed which they don't tell you... I know I have installed my share of them.

i am not a naive fool and i installed my own alarm- i highly doubt its going to drive away any time soon (but i'm not gonna post the reasons on the internet for obvious reasons)

It is an urban ledgend....I'm phoning the dealer.

Cant steal mine:D

since mine was broken into and there was a spare setof keys in the truck that they took i had to change the locks..... so all they would do is get the wrong key plus.... WHY would any one want my truck?? is kinda crappy =)

PEACE

Originally posted by bipolarbob
It is an urban ledgend....I'm phoning the dealer.

No legend. I just picked up the keys to my pickup truck which I lost- used the VIN to get the key code. They faxed the factory got the numbers and cut me a key in 1/2 hour. Now they did make me show them 2 forms of ID, and the registration, or if I couldnt produce the registtration card(in the glove box) they wanted proof of insurance.
Cost me about 10 bucks.

OK here is the real deal from the dealer....If they sold you the truck and still had all the original paperwork from the sale....they MIGHT with a lot of work, be able to get you a key....not from the vin but from the original paperwork from the dealer.There is no way on any Ford vehicle, any way, any how to get a key from just the vin.

Locksmith said the same thing..No way to make a key from the vin on any vehicle....but if you know where it was bought new and they still have the paperwork then you can get a key...for some vehicles...not from the vin but from the paperwork.

So what I get from this is....If you got a vin from a truck, Went to the dealer and said it was yours and you lost the key, in theory if they sold the truck and had the records you could get a key....Some major flaws here.The dealer told me no, go to a locksmith it is cheaper and easier.This dealer is also going to talk to ICBC(that's who hands out vehicle titles here) and find out who owns the vehicle before he gives a key out and ask for ID.

If you worked at a dealer you could look up the name and address of people and get keys made from the original paperwork.Why do this when you could just go out and get a key copied and wait for someone to buy it...

Originally posted by SteveVB
No legend. I just picked up the keys to my pickup truck which I lost- used the VIN to get the key code. They faxed the factory got the numbers and cut me a key in 1/2 hour. Now they did make me show them 2 forms of ID, and the registration, or if I couldnt produce the registtration card(in the glove box) they wanted proof of insurance.
Cost me about 10 bucks.


they can't cut you a key....they would have to order it.Unless they had it in stock..Keys can only be duplicated, not made.

Bob, I am not sure what dealer or locksmith you talked to. But you can have the key cut from the VIN. You can make a key. Maybe you are just experiencing a "Canadan Thing"?

I have had Torrie at Ford Parts Network make me PATS keys for my '99 using only the VIN.

Originally posted by Black Magic
:eek: :eek: ... just experiencing a "Canadan Thing"? :eek: :eek:

ROFL!!!

I've had a key made in about 10 minutes from a VIN. No warning or setup. I called the dealer asked what was needed, then just showed up with the doc's and in 10 minutes I had a key. ...this was my old '93 (no chip).

Me too, and mines a 92.

My wife lost her keys (2003 Grand Prix) while on vacation and went to the local GM dealer, they wrote her VIN down, made a call to GM and made a key within minutes with chip.

I just called a local dealer, they said it makes no difference where the car was purchased, the key codes are on file with the manufacturer by VIN, not dealer.

anyone have tips on making your explorer less stealable? cheap little trips... everyone knows you can just go get another alarm.

They are not any more or less stealable than anyother car on the market. You could just take off a wheel everytime you park. LOL J/K

Sure.... leave a Pit Bull with AIDS in the truck.

I was thinking if you got one of those cop wheel locks things....

Taking off the wheel would be a good idea... know where I can get some quick disconnects? =P I wonder if you could get like the equivilent of a bike lock for cars...

I could see you always looking for a poll to park by to lock your truck to. LOL

I dunno...I still don't beleive it....:confused:..I did say to the dealer for a 91...and to the locksmith.I geuss they both wouldn't have asked if it didn't work on a newer vehicle?

Those wheel locks, "The Claw" and similar work great unless the theif brings a small hack saw, cuts the wheel and slips the claw off thru the cut. Wheel still works fine. Very popular around this area.

I saw people mention starter kills, but those are easily bypassed.

On my Z car I have a fuel pump kill that is more effective. I am sure there is a way to tap into that on the X. If you are going to have a kill switch, may as well do it there or something other than the obvious starter.

The wheel lock I was talking about are those big yellow things the cops put on the wheel...


blackmagic: I'd just chain my explorer to the car parked next to me.... =P

A fuel pump cut off is definitely more effective. A starter relay just prevents the starter solenoid from getting power...If you have a stick, your x could be push started easily. If your fuel pump kill is controlled/actuated by your after market alarm it can be easily by passed. To be "more" secure you would need to wire in a manually overide switch.

Originally posted by bipolarbob
they can't cut you a key....they would have to order it.Unless they had it in stock..Keys can only be duplicated, not made.


I dont know where you got your information but anyone with the right machine can make a key.

All the dealer parts guy needs is the original code to make the keys- Ford GM, Chrysler seem to all be the same. Some well stocked lock smith shops have the codes also- they dont have the ability to get the code from a VIN, but if you have the key code they can make the key.


Maybe I was not clear about the process, this was for my chevy but numerous others have told me similar stories about Fords and Jeeps.
I took in my VIN, I took in my insurance papers, I took my drivers liscence, and a credit card.
I gave them my VIN.
They asked for the registration and two forms of ID.
I gave them my DL and a CCard, didnt have the registration, but did have an insurance statement with my adress that matched all my IDs.
Counter guy said great Ill be right back.
He faxed the VIN to someplace, came back in like 5-6 minutes with the Key Code. (actually I could have skipped this step if (I had access to my truck- GM stamps it in the glovebox)
Parts guy took the key code looked it up in a book.
He went back got a couple of key blanks. Asked if I wanted both ignition and door keys.
Put the blanks in the machine, and CUT the keys.
Total time was like 20 minutes.
cost was something like 10 bucks.

The home dealer is another bit of misinformation- you should be able to do it at any dealer in the country, good to know if you lock your keys in the vehicle 3000 miles away from home.

3000 miles from home!


that is why i always carry a spare key in my wallet

I have an " Anti-Theft " sticker in my window !!!!!

As long as that sticker is there I am gonna be fine.

when my 94 had a broken off key in the tumbler, it would start just by rotating the tumbler... my antitheft device? pop the hood and take the fuel pump relay with me... the car isnt starting without it... and only the most professional thieves will think ot look into a fuse box and try to rewire the system to get it to work.....

Originally posted by aldive
Sure.... leave a Pit Bull with AIDS in the truck. :D :D :D :D :D :D

Its not an urban legend at all... i work at a dealership.. if a customer loses the keys to a vehicle all we need to cut a new key is the vin.. yeah its that simple...

well here is a way to protect a car...or in this case a jet fighter..sort of WARNING THIS LINK IS SOMEWHAT CRUDE, IF YOU ARE OFFENDED I AM SORRY BUT YOU CLICKED IT...I WARNED YOU...
http://myjokemail.com/pictures/index.php?image=MOAB.jpg&d=d.html

Just a note.

In some municipalities (NYC for example) it is illegal to cover the VIN on the dash and you can receive a ticket for this.

Actally true, saw a documentary on it the other night, where undercover reporters went to dealers and got keys for vehicles with VIN #. No ID, no proof of ownership. Some dealers followed the rules, but some gave keys. What I was not sure of is whether these keys made included ones that have the security chip in them.

lol @ jim. really simple, but no way around it!

Originally posted by Fish Man
but no way around it!

Always a way around everything.

Easiest way to steal a vehicle woiuld be to just back up to it with a tow rig and yank it- repo guys do it all the time. Alarms, cutoffs, fuel bypass switches- dont matter.

Hook and Book

Pheonixx77,

MY EYES MY EYES OH MY GOD MY EYES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kinda makes you wanna gouge them out with a fork
hunh ?

yes it is true that you can get a key code from a vin # but using fordstar which we at ford use, it only goes back to 1996. I'm a ford parts manager. ford has been cracking down on dealers about this topic. even going as far as sending people out to test us. If we give out a key or key code without a valid drivers license and a matching registration they fine us very heavily . Dont get me wrong anything is possibly, but unlikely unless you have a friend at a dealer

like i said i warned you...but i think she would keep everyone away from your vehicle

i might have to try this next week...besides, my key is getting worn down real bad. oh, and ive been wanting to try something new. you know how ford changed the whole ignition switch and key durring like 96? i wish i had a picture. um, like 98-01, i know for sure, i would like to try and get that ignition switch and put into mine, with the same key that works with it....the big square one right? anyway, could this be done easliy? anyway, thanks

It happens. I've had to do it. I called the parts department and gave them my name, not even my VIN... of course they had the VIN because they sold me the car and also did most of the service. It takes me about 5 minutes to get to the dealer and they had a new key cut for me by the time I got there.

my mom's ignition broke. (the place where you put the key in) and when she took it to the dealer, they said they had to put a new one in.. but with a different key then what she used to open her doors with. Is that normal? or what?

it is a toyota 4runner.

so now she has 2 different keys.

Get a locksmith to rekey the door to the ignition key...

Originally posted by hydroxy
my mom's ignition broke. (the place where you put the key in) and when she took it to the dealer, they said they had to put a new one in.. but with a different key then what she used to open her doors with. Is that normal? or what?

it is a toyota 4runner.

so now she has 2 different keys.
Yes, it is common when replacing the ignition switch.

I rigged my truck in a way where if I lost my keys with the remote for the alarm and all, whoever finds it wouldn't be able to drive away with it. Even if he did managed to, I got Lo-Jack to track it down. I am so confident of this set up I even leave a spare key inside the truck. :)

hay guys i got the best alarm in the world
1.yes a alarm
2.a shepherd
3.a lab
4.a chihuahua
now try to get my truck .lol

Hey Bronx man. You don't have to worry about theft in your area. The thieves come FROM the Bronx.















It's a joke... I'm joking, I'm joking... ;) :D

Spoken by a "gylander" :rolleyes: ;)

i'm cheap so when i leave town for the weekend i just disconnect the brakes and battery hehe oops...

hay x ,well am happy to say i dont live there any more. but you might be right.am in binghamton ny