Ignition Toggle Switch

[Rogers-Explorer]

Hi all,

Wasn't sure where to post this.

Last night some SOB tried to steal my Explorer. They punched out the passenger key tumbler and attempted to jimmy the ignition to get the truck started. They failed at that, but went through the vehicle and took a few small items.

Now that my fuming want-to-track-them-down-and-kill-them-attitude has somewhat settled down, I have a question...

If I was to put a bypass toggle in the truck and hide it somewhere under the dash, where/what would be the optimum circuit to tap into in order to isolate the ignition with regard to a remote toggle switch being installed.

I have spoken with several folks around my apartment and this is not an isolated incident...and now that they've compromised my Ex (I've just liquid welded the key tumbler shut ... but anyone can come along and pop it out before it cures ) I fear that this may happen again, and I won;t be so lucky.

This sort of thing pisses me off to the limits, and when I hear of it happening to anyone else my adrenaline starts to make me think irrational thoughts

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. I would like to have this issue looked ASAP as I don;t want to be out in the -25C weather come Monday

Thanks very much.

Cheers Roger

 

[DeRocha]

Not your exact year, but can be used in the same way..
Check out the Fuel pump kill Switch thread (my posts start at #18).. Lots of info and pictures on using the fuel pump inertial switch as a means to kill the fuel pump.. The cool thing is a thief can crank the engine, but it just won't start (he won't know if the truck is temperamental or you have installed a kill switch)

 

[Rogers-Explorer]

Update to post

DeRocha,

Thanks very much for your prompt reply.

I completed the mod yesterday. It was no different than your previous post ... it was a pink & black wire that was spliced into. I installed a toggle switch in my centre console, and hopefully it will serve as an appropriate deterent.

When I went to the Edmonton Police (I am in the military and am living in Edmonton...with my family still in Halifax) they offered an SUV steering wheel club free of charge, which I accepted with thanks. The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) has sponsored a program to offer "The Club" to individuals who have had their vehicles stolen (A program that the CAA/AAA may offer elsewhere ... considering the impact on insurance companies). The Officer who offered the Club to me said that I was one of the lucky ones, so asked if I would like to take part in the program, of course I accepted.

So, with the club and a modification you offered, hopefully I will be even luckier ... and can sleep soundly

I plan to add another redundant system to the truck...a bypass for the clutch safety starter switch.

Thanks again for the information DeRocha ... you are truly a positive impact to this site.

Cheers, Roger.

 

[A Wise Guy]

If you want to use the clutch switch or any other source that only needs momentary contact, unlike the fuel pump, another good place for a switch is in the drivers door panel. I had seen this done in a Mustang and it worked well. Installed in the door panel was a pressure switch that you activated with your elbow. If you are being watched the thief will see you flip the switch in your center console. He will be able to use small bolt cutters to cut the plastic steering wheel and the thin aluminum ring inside of the plastic to slide the club off but he may not notice your elbow pressing on the door panel. On second thought why did they give you the club? Was it for the steering wheel or just in case you catch them?

 

[Rogers-Explorer]

Hi A Wise Guy,

The Alberta Motor Association (AMA-equivalent to the AAA/CAA) has recognized the cost of vehicles thefts and its impact on vehicle theft insurance claims, so decided to offer "The Club" to those who had had their vehicles stolen, with the hopes that vehicle thefts would be reduced...Arguably a multi-billion dollar business.

Anyway, they believe the program is proving to be effective...but still, I will look at adding another redundant system into my Explorer theft program ... and as an added benefit, the Club has a nice handle grip for pummelling any unsuspecting suspect

Thanks for the reply...and the furtherance of "Explorer Protection" information

Cheers, Roger

 

[Rogers-Explorer]

Hey Wise Guy,

When you talk about the "door switch" is it to take place of the console switch or does it pertain to another circuit? ie: clutch, starter, alarm system?

I am seriously looking at another redundant system that may render the vehicle "useless - unstartable (if that's a word )" and was wondering what you were talking about. The "elbow switch" in the door is an option, but what would you recommend it controlling?

When I was looking at Crappy Tire (Canadian Tire - an automotive store), I actually thought of using a high beam foot pressure switch hidden up higher on the floor of the Explorer. It could be used to engage another system (fuel/electronic/starter/etc). Similar to the old "67 pattern military jeep" the Canadian military used (ok, I know I'm dating myself ) to start the jeep. Basically, the foot pressure switch could be used to control another circuit instead of the highbeams...I don't know....what do you think????


Anyway, Thanks for the idea...

Cheers, Roger (bracing for the impending cold weather )

 

[A Wise Guy]

In the Mustang that I had seen it in use in the car would not crank unless the door panel switch was pressed. I guess it could be used to control any circuit that needs to be momenterily closed. Unlike a fuel pump that needs a closed circuit to run a clutch pedal only needs to be pushed to close the circuit while cranking thus the pressure switch in the door panel could work in this application.

I still think you should take the club and hide in the bushes with it and wait for them to come back. Might be more useful that way or at least it would make you feel better when you club the heck out of them. When the police question your actions just tell them that is what you thought it was for and the reason they gave it to you.

 

[Rogers-Explorer]

Hey Wise Guy,

Sorry, wouldn;t get away with that in Canada

Besides...too friggin' cold here now to be hidin' in the bushes

Good idea though ... nothing would calm my nerves more than being able to use my club another way other than putting it on the steering wheel ... oh well, who knows ... maybe someday

The elbow switch would work like a starter button? Only you would use your elbow? I'm a bit confused... but I suppose it could be used as an "on/off" switch....

Thanks for the alternative club use

Cheers, Roger

 

[A Wise Guy]

Not as a starter button but as something similar to a clutch safety switch. As when you start your truck you need to press the clutch well here you need to press the clutch and the door panel switch then turn the key to crank. Kind of like part two to the clutch safety switch. Hopefully it is safe to assume you have a manual trans by your comment in the third post about a clutch bypass?

 

[Rogers-Explorer]

Yep...Manual tranny...

The door switch seems to be a good addition...I'll look into it and see what extra work will have to be done.

Thanks Wise Guy, very much appreciated

Cheers, Roger

 

[A Wise Guy]

Your welcome and Goodnight.

 

[reserved50]

In the Mustang that I had seen it in use in the car would not crank unless the door panel switch was pressed. I guess it could be used to control any circuit that needs to be momenterily closed. Unlike a fuel pump that needs a closed circuit to run a clutch pedal only needs to be pushed to close the circuit while cranking thus the pressure switch in the door panel could work in this application.

I still think you should take the club and hide in the bushes with it and wait for them to come back. Might be more useful that way or at least it would make you feel better when you club the heck out of them. When the police question your actions just tell them that is what you thought it was for and the reason they gave it to you.

good ideas, I've seen some mustangs with a magnetic switch under the center console hooked to the starter wire under the dash with a relay, and you can only crank the vehicle with a magnet in a specific spot. In a vehicle like that it works somewhat but desperate theives usually just jumper it under the hood, it would great for an Exploder etc.
Another trick is hook a relay to say the door lock button and the vehicle only cranks when lock or unlock is depressed, sneaky . Can use power seat button etc., also works for any buddy deciding to borrow your keys lol.

 

[gijoecam]

Personally, I'd say trade it in for a '98-up with the PATS system. Without a recognized key, the system will not fire the ignition. It's probably the single-most effective system at preventing Ford vehicle thefts over the years.

-Joe

 

[reserved50]

Most criminals dont looks at Exploders and recognize them as having PATS after certain years . All you need to do is install an alarm with fuel or ignition kill thats is hooked up normally open with a relay incase power is cut to the alarm. Thats how mine is with a pager and im sure its more effective than the PATS system. There are also GPS trackers etc if you really need your vehicle back.

 

[Rogers-Explorer]

gijoecam,

I wouldn't mind trading it up, but I'm kinda partial to this one ... we've been through so much together .

Besides, why would I want to start from scratch learning to keep a newer one on the road

I was on a website yesterday and it had the Explorer ranked #15 on their list of most desireable for vehicle thieves ... It's probably a combination of the number of Ex's on the road and the need for chop-shop parts

Anyway, starting to hunker down to combat the cold weather ... it's probably going to be too cold to start it anyway

Cheers, Roger

 

[gijoecam]

Most criminals dont looks at Exploders and recognize them as having PATS after certain years . All you need to do is install an alarm with fuel or ignition kill thats is hooked up normally open with a relay incase power is cut to the alarm. Thats how mine is with a pager and im sure its more effective than the PATS system. There are also GPS trackers etc if you really need your vehicle back.

gijoecam,

I wouldn't mind trading it up, but I'm kinda partial to this one ... we've been through so much together .

Besides, why would I want to start from scratch learning to keep a newer one on the road

I was on a website yesterday and it had the Explorer ranked #15 on their list of most desireable for vehicle thieves ... It's probably a combination of the number of Ex's on the road and the need for chop-shop parts

Anyway, starting to hunker down to combat the cold weather ... it's probably going to be too cold to start it anyway

Cheers, Roger

I hear ya' both... If someone wants to get into it, no alarm is going to stop 'em. A Club is a deterrent, but if someone really wants it, they'll hack the steering wheel to remove the club, or just pick the thing up with a flatbed and haul it away.

However, if yours is PATS-equipped, it's impossible to jimmy the locks, pop the ignition, and start it and drive it away. They can still gain entry, just not start it.

-Joe

 

[Rogers-Explorer]

Well, like you said...if someone wants it bad enough it's easiest to flatbed it and deal with all the issues in seclusion

When they punched in (or drilled) the passenger door lock I had to do something quick and cheap so just filled the hole with JB-Weld. Once it cures and the weather improves I'll get it ground down and painted over and hopefully have a nice looking keyless entry on one side of the Ex

I bought the truck without the fob, but it does have remote start (weird-especially with the manual tranny) and lock/unlock. I was thinking about looking at getting another fob...anybody know what's involved monetarily?

Cheers, Roger

 

[Rogers-Explorer]

Was just wondering if anyone knows what is involved in obtaining a fob for the door locks...I'm apprehensive that someone may come and punch the other (my last working one in the the driver's door) doorlock/key tumbler and lock the truck...rendering my key useless

Oddly enough, the folks who broke into the truck initially had re-locked the doors prior to fleeing... scheitza (or however you spell it : )...

Cheers, Roger