G'day,
Reading through the forum i read the thread regarding the stolen torana, this has me worried about the safety of mine. Everyday at work it's parked in a carport which the public can access by walking up the river bank (i work on a hydro power station on a dam wall).
I have installed a battery isolation switch when moving the battery to the boot, im wondering if i switch it to off and take the "key" with me to prevent people starting my car (not too hard to do in the old holdens) will it reset or cause a problem with my ECU?
My car has an EFI 5.0litre VP engine and transmission in it.
Cheers,
Rhys.
Battery Isolation Switch
Started by
_rhysandhisLJ_
, Mar 12 2007 01:00 PM
18 replies to this topic
#2
_SLRMike_
_SLRMike_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 March 2007 - 01:28 PM
Hi Rhys,
My work vehicle is a VT Commodore and the ECU contains a ROM of sorts (like the bios in your computer)that stores the startup info for the motor, when I disconnect then reconnect the battery, and start the car for the first time the ECU goes reloads this info just like an computer at startup (this only takes seconds) and off I go. What damage does this do to the ECU if this happens daily, like with your battery isolation switch, I dont know but cant see any logical problem why damage would occur, maybe consult Holdens?
I install alot of this battery isolation switches, the key type are the less reliable ones FYI.
Any of these type of switches are easily bypassed and unless secured or hard to access dont offer much security. Often customers come in and have forgotten their key after switching the battery off, easy fix for me, I just get mine out!
cheers
Mike
My work vehicle is a VT Commodore and the ECU contains a ROM of sorts (like the bios in your computer)that stores the startup info for the motor, when I disconnect then reconnect the battery, and start the car for the first time the ECU goes reloads this info just like an computer at startup (this only takes seconds) and off I go. What damage does this do to the ECU if this happens daily, like with your battery isolation switch, I dont know but cant see any logical problem why damage would occur, maybe consult Holdens?
I install alot of this battery isolation switches, the key type are the less reliable ones FYI.
Any of these type of switches are easily bypassed and unless secured or hard to access dont offer much security. Often customers come in and have forgotten their key after switching the battery off, easy fix for me, I just get mine out!
cheers
Mike
#3
ls2lxhatch
-
- Members
-
- 5,332 posts
- Location:Perth
- Car:LX Hatch
- Joined: 29-May 06
Posted 12 March 2007 - 01:34 PM
A hidden switch that cuts the power to the fuel pump would be a simple option.
#4
_rhysandhisLJ_
_rhysandhisLJ_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 March 2007 - 02:02 PM
Thanks SLRMike and ls2lxhatch,
The switch i have is installed in my boot, and my fuel pumps are in my boot also, i don't like the idea of putting a switch so close to the fuel pumps and surge tank so maybe i could install one up under the dash somewhere (the wiring actually comes from the ECU under passenger side of the dash then runs under the carpet into the boot to the fuel pumps so it shouldn't be too hard.
Thanks guys,
Rhys.
The switch i have is installed in my boot, and my fuel pumps are in my boot also, i don't like the idea of putting a switch so close to the fuel pumps and surge tank so maybe i could install one up under the dash somewhere (the wiring actually comes from the ECU under passenger side of the dash then runs under the carpet into the boot to the fuel pumps so it shouldn't be too hard.
Thanks guys,
Rhys.
Edited by lxsl76, 12 March 2007 - 02:02 PM.
#5
LXdamo
-
- Members
-
- 521 posts
Still Lurking
- Name:Damo
- Location:ADL/PER/ZNE
- Car:bits here bits there.....
- Joined: 22-December 05
Posted 12 March 2007 - 02:31 PM
A cut off switch on the fuel pump is a good idea Rhys.I got two on mine and one for the computer power as well.
If they cant get it anywhere,they'll probably trash it,but at least u'll still have it.
I dont think cutting the battery power to your comp will hurt it,as i have been doin it for the past two months with no probs on the blue car.
cheers Damo
If they cant get it anywhere,they'll probably trash it,but at least u'll still have it.
I dont think cutting the battery power to your comp will hurt it,as i have been doin it for the past two months with no probs on the blue car.
cheers Damo
#6
_rorym_
_rorym_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 March 2007 - 03:52 PM
or rerun the main coil wire into a switch under the dash..I did this on one of my XU1s..no sparky...no stealy!
R
R
#7
LXdamo
-
- Members
-
- 521 posts
Still Lurking
- Name:Damo
- Location:ADL/PER/ZNE
- Car:bits here bits there.....
- Joined: 22-December 05
Posted 12 March 2007 - 09:13 PM
No computer=no sparky=no fuelly=no steally=no tears
Edited by LXdamo, 12 March 2007 - 09:14 PM.
#8
_Herne_
_Herne_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 March 2007 - 09:33 PM
Hi, aren't you worried about people seeing you open the boot before you start the car. to me thats a sorta giveaway, or have I got the wrong idea?Thanks SLRMike and ls2lxhatch,
The switch i have is installed in my boot, and my fuel pumps are in my boot also, i don't like the idea of putting a switch so close to the fuel pumps and surge tank so maybe i could install one up under the dash somewhere (the wiring actually comes from the ECU under passenger side of the dash then runs under the carpet into the boot to the fuel pumps so it shouldn't be too hard.
Thanks guys,
Rhys.
Cheers
Herne
#9
_rorym_
_rorym_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 March 2007 - 09:43 PM
Good point.Hi, aren't you worried about people seeing you open the boot before you start the car. to me thats a sorta giveaway, or have I got the wrong idea?Thanks SLRMike and ls2lxhatch,
The switch i have is installed in my boot, and my fuel pumps are in my boot also, i don't like the idea of putting a switch so close to the fuel pumps and surge tank so maybe i could install one up under the dash somewhere (the wiring actually comes from the ECU under passenger side of the dash then runs under the carpet into the boot to the fuel pumps so it shouldn't be too hard.
Thanks guys,
Rhys.
Cheers
Herne
R
#10
TerrA LX
-
- Members
-
- 14,241 posts
Fulcrum Fixture
- Location:Sid 'n' knee
- Joined: 31-May 06
Posted 12 March 2007 - 09:47 PM
Cutting the power will reset most computers and will restore its self once you run the car again. Depending on computer some store learnt programs over a day or some a week of driving to compensate for driving styles, usually one for granny style and one for lead foot, so it may seem a bit flat when you first switch power back to it, but a day or so of driving will bring it back to where it was.
#11
Tiny
-
- Administrators
-
- 10,018 posts
Oh My, Don't you post alot
- Name:Tiny
- Location:Sydney
- Joined: 04-February 07
Posted 13 March 2007 - 11:32 AM
With an EFI system would it be easier to install a kill switch or three hidden around the dash area ( seats are convenient too), to break contacts to the ECU like fuel pump relays, Earth lines to the computer and things like that?
i cant see a drama with fitting an isolation switch as youve described, I've got one in the -ve circuit of my boot mounted battery system.
One thing ive noticed though.. If the car is running and you want to kill it.. the switch does nothing! - even the electric fuel pump keeps running!
Cheers.
i cant see a drama with fitting an isolation switch as youve described, I've got one in the -ve circuit of my boot mounted battery system.
One thing ive noticed though.. If the car is running and you want to kill it.. the switch does nothing! - even the electric fuel pump keeps running!
Cheers.
#12
_QIKSLR_
_QIKSLR_
-
- Guests
Posted 13 March 2007 - 05:46 PM
Aren't those computers "learning computers"? Eg they automatically improve the tune as time goes on? hence resetting it to the base tune every time you turn the car on? That's assuming the myth is true..
#13
arrimar
-
- Members
-
- 3,123 posts
"Have you still got that Torana!"
- Location:brisbane
- Car:Salamanca L34, Absinth LH SLR/5000, Caribean Blue LH 5.0, C250 Merc,
- Joined: 13-January 06
Posted 13 March 2007 - 06:07 PM
i really have to wonder about all these threads discussing car theft.
i now know your car colour,work place,location and type of anti theft device,
intended alterations to your ignition system........
keep the info basic guys.
use pm's if you have to.
real crims willl get it if they want it.
lets not educate the weak of mind.(not you the crims mate)
i now know your car colour,work place,location and type of anti theft device,
intended alterations to your ignition system........
keep the info basic guys.
use pm's if you have to.
real crims willl get it if they want it.
lets not educate the weak of mind.(not you the crims mate)
#14
_QIKSLR_
_QIKSLR_
-
- Guests
Posted 14 March 2007 - 08:25 AM
Real crims will just walk up and take it one way for the other... These extra mesures just stop the kids from hotwiring it.i really have to wonder about all these threads discussing car theft.
i now know your car colour,work place,location and type of anti theft device,
intended alterations to your ignition system........
keep the info basic guys.
use pm's if you have to.
real crims willl get it if they want it.
lets not educate the weak of mind.(not you the crims mate)
My mum used to be an insurance fraud investiagator and some of the stories I've heard about excotic cars being ripped off. People will break into your house and steal the keys, people will stick a gun to your head, people will show up in a tow truck and just take it.
I reckon the best bet is to try and keep the car hidden from the public. I know exactly where a number of really serious cars that most of you would know of live. They're both within a few kms of my house, but I bet there would be very few people that live in my area who would know. Reason being that you never ever ever see those cars out the front or in the driveway. The only reason I worked it out is that I recognised their tow cars from the drags and have seen them out the front, that combined with living in the same area for 15 years.
I reckon that people will manage to take it one way or another so the only real insurance is some form of well hidden tracking device with it's own backup battery supply.
#15
orangeLJ
-
- Members
-
- 10,259 posts
Yes, yes I do post alot!
- Joined: 02-May 06
Posted 14 March 2007 - 08:59 PM
yeah, but sometimes there is no alternative, especially when your car is loud and bright orange, you neighbours and anyone else around seem to notice. one thing i am always sure of is that no one follows me home. and i never park anywhere i cannot keep an eye on the car (dont know how you could do this with a daily driver) i find the more you can do to prevent theft the better, dont rely on ONE thing to stop them, so have 2 or 3 stage immobilizers, isolation switch, fuel cut off, take random parts from the car, even have 2 cut offs on some things. and mix it up, so if they are casing you out, they dont see you get into a routine. just some ideas guys.
#16
_CHOPPER_
_CHOPPER_
-
- Guests
Posted 14 March 2007 - 09:36 PM
One old trick is to pop the bonnet and remove the rotor button. Simple and cheap.
#17
orangeLJ
-
- Members
-
- 10,259 posts
Yes, yes I do post alot!
- Joined: 02-May 06
Posted 14 March 2007 - 09:49 PM
and also a very well known trick chopper. That was my old mans sugestion when i first started taking the torry out. But when he mentioned it was an OLD trick then i thought well most people would know and there for the theives would know. 
so more imaginative tricks are needed.
so more imaginative tricks are needed.
#18
_CHOPPER_
_CHOPPER_
-
- Guests
Posted 14 March 2007 - 09:51 PM
You think your average thief would carry a spare rotor button in their pocket when they go to steal a car?
#19
orangeLJ
-
- Members
-
- 10,259 posts
Yes, yes I do post alot!
- Joined: 02-May 06
Posted 14 March 2007 - 10:28 PM
not the average car theif, chop, but a professional. as said though the more you can do the better.
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
