Easy to Start a Charger without the Key?: Fear of Getting Charger Stolen

['CUDA360]

I had the micro switch near the seatbelt under the carpet, (on a gm product I owned years ago) That way you look like your reaching for the seatbelt while you start the car

[69chargeryeehaa]

Doesn't the key need to be in the on position before you can jump the relay to start it?

I just tried my 71 and that is the only way it will start that way.  If the key is in the off posistion it will just crank over.  When you turn the key to the on position and then jump the relay it fires up!

if you don't have the key you just run a jumper to give power to the coil, and jump the starter relay, the car will start right up.  you would'nt have turn signals, or instruments but the car would be drivable, you'd have headlights and brake lights.

i like the idea of having the battery in the trunk, and a manual switch to make the car hot, that and the electric fuel pump would really make it hard to steal.  i've seen master switches with keys as well, you could hide that, and make a "secret" switch anywhere like a blower switch to make the fuel pump power "hot".  at least they would'nt be able to drive the car, just hack the dash, ect.....but then there's the whole trailer/tow truck issue.  i think the main issue is to make it hard to get into, take out the door knobs and put anti theft ones so you can't use a coat hanger, and the visual deterent of a club and a alarm light just might be enough to make them go to the "next car".  i just don't leave my charger anywhere, i'm either driving it or it's in the garage.

[Arthu®]

Doesn't the key need to be in the on position before you can jump the relay to start it?

I just tried my 71 and that is the only way it will start that way.  If the key is in the off posistion it will just crank over.  When you turn the key to the on position and then jump the relay it fires up!

if you don't have the key you just run a jumper to give power to the coil, and jump the starter relay, the car will start right up.  you would'nt have turn signals, or instruments but the car would be drivable, you'd have headlights and brake lights.

i like the idea of having the battery in the trunk, and a manual switch to make the car hot, that and the electric fuel pump would really make it hard to steal.  i've seen master switches with keys as well, you could hide that, and make a "secret" switch anywhere like a blower switch to make the fuel pump power "hot".  at least they would'nt be able to drive the car, just hack the dash, ect.....but then there's the whole trailer/tow truck issue.  i think the main issue is to make it hard to get into, take out the door knobs and put anti theft ones so you can't use a coat hanger, and the visual deterent of a club and a alarm light just might be enough to make them go to the "next car".  i just don't leave my charger anywhere, i'm either driving it or it's in the garage.

I agree the best way not to get it stolen is to park it as safe as possible. These cars are old are way too easy to break into. I mean especially the charger with it's 2 door coupe shape. With the seperate front and rear window which is lets face it just too easy to get into. It will be hard to keep thieves out of these old cars, but there is some stuff you can do to make it harder for them to drive off. But eventually if the thief is already near your car it's too late. If they have enough time to do everything any of the cut offs, etc will be able to be short cutted. You just have to make sure you catch them asap.

Arthur

[472 R/T SE]

If no one's ever tried the screwdriver trick, please make sure your car's in gear or neutral.

I run MSD, so I'm able to run a hidden kill switch.   If I have to spend the night somewhere, I crank the wheel hard one way.  That way if they're using a flatbed they have to work for it.    Crooks want the easy route, they don't want to have to work for something.

[Crazy Larry]

Like a previous poster said - the professional theives are looking for Ferrari's and Hemi 'Cuda's - not a non-numbers matching Charger with a 440.

It's the petty criminals that I would want to bypass here - and you Skyview69, you are right when you add "park in a safe place". That is one of the most effective ways to keep away the bad guys. Parking in the far corner of an underground mall parking lot is not a good idea in the long run. 

[Crazy Larry]

If no one's ever tried the screwdriver trick, please make sure your car's in gear or neutral.

I run MSD, so I'm able to run a hidden kill switch.   If I have to spend the night somewhere, I crank the wheel hard one way.  That way if they're using a flatbed they have to work for it.    Crooks want the easy route, they don't want to have to work for something.

Does MSD have a the wiring for a kill switch already set-up - possibly at the brain box? Or did you design the wiring run yourself?

I love the crank the wheels thing - that's a good idea.

[Charger Aficionado]

  I didn't read this whole post, but I have connects with GM products, and I'm adding OnStar.  GPS tracking etc...

[Mike DC]

                 
Forget all that anti-theft crap.  Just put a 4-speed in your Charger. 

Dumbass teenagers can't learn the 1st/reverse shifter pattern from PlayStation games and they're probably not even strong enough to push the clutch pedal down anyway.

               

[71_deputy]

its pretty simple to hot wire any pre colum lock mopar. not sure what year the colum locks started, but i am thinking my 69 coronet had the dash mounted switch, i may be wrong on this..either way a simple piece of wire with 2 alagator clips, one to the pos post of the batt, the second to the balast resistor (+ side of the coil will work for a while). now stick a screwdriver between the big post and small post on the starter to crank it over (or jump the firewall relay) and VROOOM it starts right up. supplying power direct to the ballast will work on mopar elec ign or points systems.

     now before anyone starts thinkin im a car thief , im not but i have had to use this trick to get a couple parts cars running. these ignition systems arent rocket science, why do you think they invented the colum lock.

very correct!!!!!!!!!!


done this for a buddy's car  years ago- no colunm lock.

using a double pole double throw switch hidden in the car.
one one set of switch poles you cut into the power wire to the coil on " start " , this cuts off the power to the coil from the ing sw. and using the other contact pole of the  " kill sw " you ground the wire to the car that feeds the coil!!!
this will prevent the jumper of 12 volts to the coil- watch the sparks fly!!!!!

using the other set off contacts - use it to turn on a flashing led like a car alarm!!!!!! as well as reminding you the " kill sw " is on!

[472 R/T SE]

If no one's ever tried the screwdriver trick, please make sure your car's in gear or neutral.

I run MSD, so I'm able to run a hidden kill switch.   If I have to spend the night somewhere, I crank the wheel hard one way.  That way if they're using a flatbed they have to work for it.    Crooks want the easy route, they don't want to have to work for something.

Does MSD have a the wiring for a kill switch already set-up - possibly at the brain box? Or did you design the wiring run yourself?

It's tied into the "switched" wire if I remember correctly.  We're getting ready to put a new 6AL box in, so I'll check.

Another redneck way is to take your hood pop up spring out.  You hear the hood latch, but nothing happens.  Fools even the Mopar guys. 

[hemihead]

I have the old fashioned alarm system,a German Shepard and a Colt 45 Auto. and I'm a very good shot.

[rt green]

why mess with the electrical system at all? rig up 2 line locks for the brake system so the wheels will not turn. even if you were to drag it on a flat bed, squeeling tires would make noise.  you might be able to make the rear wheels turn with horsepower,  but the the front wheels would be locked also.                 bruce

[Crazy Larry]

why mess with the electrical system at all? rig up 2 line locks for the brake system so the wheels will not turn. even if you were to drag it on a flat bed, squeeling tires would make noise.  you might be able to make the rear wheels turn with horsepower,  but the the front wheels would be locked also.                 bruce

Line locks? Can't say I ever heard of those - any details?

I love anyway that doesn't mess with the electrical system but sometimes you just gotta

[autodynamics]

since im in the business there are a few ways to combat a car from being stolen. first most thief's know about starter kill relays and such so i think thats a poor suggestion, i would in your case ground the coil wire with a switch or even the cigarette lighter would work.its real easy to jump the starter wire especially under the hood on the car. as for grounding the coil i would right to the coil and disguise the wire so it looks factory. as far as tracking devices there are plenty on the market that can be purchased for about 300 that will allow you to track your vehicle via the internet. and tell you were its been and rate of travel among other things. i suggest for all of us not to have one method of determent rather than a alarm/ kill switch/ tracking device/ or what have you all would work especially together...

[472 R/T SE]

since im in the business there are a few ways to combat a car from being stolen. first most thief's know about starter kill relays and such so i think thats a poor suggestion, i would in your case ground the coil wire with a switch or even the cigarette lighter would work.its real easy to jump the starter wire especially under the hood on the car. as for grounding the coil i would right to the coil and disguise the wire so it looks factory. as far as tracking devices there are plenty on the market that can be purchased for about 300 that will allow you to track your vehicle via the internet. and tell you were its been and rate of travel among other things. i suggest for all of us not to have one method of determent rather than a alarm/ kill switch/ tracking device/ or what have you all would work especially together...

Most of us aren't in "your" business so we do what we think will work.

No one's gonna start my car with the kill switch activated, hell the dumbshti's won't even be able to open the hood.  They may get it on a flatbed truck, but they will have problems.

[autodynamics]

you can always put a hood lock in that probably the best bet so nobody can access your hood from the outside..

[rt green]

line locks are used during the burnout phase at the drags. when you go through the water hole, you do the burn out to heat up your tires, right? the line lock is a soliniod that you place in your rear brake line, so that your rear brakes don't ativate when you power brake. your front brakes will.    rig up the same system where you can press the brake pedal down,cancell the brake lamps, and the soliniods will lock your brake system on. havent got it all mapped out yet, but it should work. a seporate 12v system could activate it and deactivate it if need be. this is what i plan to work on for mine.

['CUDA360]

I don't think so rtgreen
The solenoid would have to stay on all the time and those things get real hot after a while. I remember I left mine on at the track once and then leaned on it while I was jetting the carb. It was so hot it left a mark..
I think the least it would do is drain the battery out but the worst is burn up wires or even melt down

[rt green]

food for thought.  thanks

[blackcrowe]

my friend put a steel hoop in his driveway n used special chain and padlock through the k frame..i think if they really want it theyll get it.but the more stuff you put as a deterrant the better