I wonder what views members have about the best way of protecting our beloved cars from thieves and vandals is. I have no garage so she lives on my drive, protected by a good quality wheelclamp which I'm reasonably happy about but it's when she's left away from home while out and about. The clamp's too much trouble and only works with the hubcap removed anyway. I bought one of those Autolock things that attach to the gearstick and handbrake but I've since learned thieves force the gearstick forward by pushing with both feet enough to liberate it at the handbrake end. I'm not sure the steering wheel bar things would fit our ancient steering wheels effectively so would the best solution be to have an immobiliser fitted and can they be fitted to our cars. I'm still on the original points ignition by the way. Interested to hear members views, experiences. Thanks.
Protecting our P6's
- Thread starter p6loopy
- Start date
webmaster
New Member
If its got a boot mounted battery, its very easy to fit a battery cut off switch, with removable key, the same they use on race cars etc. I have one fitted to mine, pop the boot, remove the key, and all electrics are disconnected, car can't be started plus almost nill chance of an electrical fire when its parked up.
You would probably want to fit a feed to the clock and possibly stereo if you have a modern coded job, but a very low amp fused supply will prevent it starting the car.
Another one I have seen is a brake line lock, it is plumbed into the brake hoses and has a lock, you apply the footbrake and turn the key, this locks the brakes on. I'm not sure I would want to leave it on for long periods though !
And if you want to be really silly, you can get quick release stearing wheel mounts, so you just pop the stearing wheel off and take it with you.....
Mind you, I find that cutting the roof off and spraying it turquoise seams to put most theives off !
Richard
You would probably want to fit a feed to the clock and possibly stereo if you have a modern coded job, but a very low amp fused supply will prevent it starting the car.
Another one I have seen is a brake line lock, it is plumbed into the brake hoses and has a lock, you apply the footbrake and turn the key, this locks the brakes on. I'm not sure I would want to leave it on for long periods though !
And if you want to be really silly, you can get quick release stearing wheel mounts, so you just pop the stearing wheel off and take it with you.....
Mind you, I find that cutting the roof off and spraying it turquoise seams to put most theives off !
Richard
Peter Stolpmann
New Member
If you talk very nicely to your local Mercedes Dealership, the cars sometimes come with a 'Hella' cut switch and cables that attach to the Negative battery terminal. This is to isolate the battery when the car is shipped. I have some but they are in New Zealand... the best one is from the latest 'E' class...
Peter
Peter
arthuy
Well-Known Member
Hi Peter,
There is a product called DisCarnect.
Very similar to Richards battery isolator. It fits on at the battery, to protect the car you unscrew a know which effectively is like taking off a cable from the battery. However there is a fused link which allows enough current through to feed the stereo and clock but will blow the fuse should you try and start the car. This is ok but means removing the battery cover every time.
You could fit a hidden switch which earths the coil. simply run a wire from the coil to a switch and then to earth. very simple and the car wont be able to start.
You can fit/have fitted an alarm immobiliser. you can pay as much as £50 upwards depending on how much you love your p6.
Immobilsers wont protect your car from vandals, so you will need an alarm with in car sensors and tilt sensors.
Find a local company that do alarms/stereos and pick their brains for a a few minutes.
I am going to fit an alarm to my car after I put central locking in.
Arthuy
Arthuy
There is a product called DisCarnect.
Very similar to Richards battery isolator. It fits on at the battery, to protect the car you unscrew a know which effectively is like taking off a cable from the battery. However there is a fused link which allows enough current through to feed the stereo and clock but will blow the fuse should you try and start the car. This is ok but means removing the battery cover every time.
You could fit a hidden switch which earths the coil. simply run a wire from the coil to a switch and then to earth. very simple and the car wont be able to start.
You can fit/have fitted an alarm immobiliser. you can pay as much as £50 upwards depending on how much you love your p6.
Immobilsers wont protect your car from vandals, so you will need an alarm with in car sensors and tilt sensors.
Find a local company that do alarms/stereos and pick their brains for a a few minutes.
I am going to fit an alarm to my car after I put central locking in.
Arthuy
Arthuy
OrganDoctor
New Member
I just had to add an amusing story to this subject:
When I was going through a divorce many years ago, I managed to find my TC at home while my wife was away.
To stop her from driving it, I removed the distributor cap and wires, and left for work.
I found out later that she was smarter than I thought, and went to my spare Rover to get that cap and wires. Fortunately for me, that car was inhabited by some rather mean hornets who protected my interests without charge.
Now there's a good theft device.
Dick West
When I was going through a divorce many years ago, I managed to find my TC at home while my wife was away.
To stop her from driving it, I removed the distributor cap and wires, and left for work.
I found out later that she was smarter than I thought, and went to my spare Rover to get that cap and wires. Fortunately for me, that car was inhabited by some rather mean hornets who protected my interests without charge.
Now there's a good theft device.
Dick West
rovermorris999
New Member
DiskLok (spelling?) is the only physical device that is Thatcham approved. It's a steel cover which fits loosely over the steering wheel. About £70 I think.
Guy Engelsman
New Member
The ultimate deterant? A 1964 2000 with an attitude!
Jezabel, my 2000 was left parked on top of a hill in Sydney one night, and in the morning I found her at the bottom of the hill. Some local "Lads" apparently decided to take the old heap for a bit of a run but were unable to get it to start!
Funny thing is that I put in the key, pulled the choke out 1" and it started first time!!!
Who says old cars dont know their owners.
Seriously I am in the process of having a Black Widow alarm fitted to my blue car, and it incorperates volumetric sensors, lift sensors and all the bells and whistles. Not cheap but after 4years of work and thousands of dollars I dont trust people not to damage it. Sad really. :angry:
Jezabel, my 2000 was left parked on top of a hill in Sydney one night, and in the morning I found her at the bottom of the hill. Some local "Lads" apparently decided to take the old heap for a bit of a run but were unable to get it to start!
Funny thing is that I put in the key, pulled the choke out 1" and it started first time!!!
Who says old cars dont know their owners.
Seriously I am in the process of having a Black Widow alarm fitted to my blue car, and it incorperates volumetric sensors, lift sensors and all the bells and whistles. Not cheap but after 4years of work and thousands of dollars I dont trust people not to damage it. Sad really. :angry:
Squashed Nose
New Member
I had a BMW 320i (E30) a few years ago which had a small rocker switch fitted in line with the live ignition feed. It must have cost about 50p and was tiny. It was fitted in an out of sight location and even had me confused a couple of times!
JohnGlinn(Cardiff)
New Member
Our editor at the time (December 1997) kindly printed a page that I had written on vehicle security which included the description of a cheap and simple, but effective security device that I have fitted and used on every 3500 that I have owned and which may be used by all owners of P6 models with automatic gearboxes.
As owners of cars with automatic gearboxes are aware, their car may only be started if the gear lever is in "P" or "N" so the first job to do is identify the starter inhibitor relay (it's usually at the back of the inner wing on the driver's side) and remove the black earth wire. Now try to start the car and you should find that the starter motor will not turn. Connect one new wire of the same thickness to the newly-bared earth terminal on this relay and another similar wire to the removed black earth lead and run both these wires to an automotive on/off switch inside the driver's glove box and voila, Robert's your mother's brother.
Now, with the switch in the "off" position your car will not attempt to start and with the switch in the "on" position it should start first time, as all Rovers do!
Don't forget to turn this switch "off" and lock your glove box every time that you leave your car.
I hope that this saves your pride and joy becoming someone else's.
Regards, John.
As owners of cars with automatic gearboxes are aware, their car may only be started if the gear lever is in "P" or "N" so the first job to do is identify the starter inhibitor relay (it's usually at the back of the inner wing on the driver's side) and remove the black earth wire. Now try to start the car and you should find that the starter motor will not turn. Connect one new wire of the same thickness to the newly-bared earth terminal on this relay and another similar wire to the removed black earth lead and run both these wires to an automotive on/off switch inside the driver's glove box and voila, Robert's your mother's brother.
Now, with the switch in the "off" position your car will not attempt to start and with the switch in the "on" position it should start first time, as all Rovers do!
Don't forget to turn this switch "off" and lock your glove box every time that you leave your car.
I hope that this saves your pride and joy becoming someone else's.
Regards, John.
Squashed Nose
New Member
If your pride and joy goes missing it is unlikely to become somebody elses.
It is far more likely to turn up in a banger race. I believe this is what happened to LRD 822L, my beloved P5B.
It is far more likely to turn up in a banger race. I believe this is what happened to LRD 822L, my beloved P5B.
Diesel Dick
New Member
I deal with this type of thing a lot at work and the best deterrent seems to be the Thatcham 3 big mutha type disc crooklocks. Either that or a snap off steering wheel (I can't really see the little scumbags trying to steer with a set of mole grips).
DD.
DD.