Kill switch
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 233
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter Florida
Kill switch
Haven't gotten my 65 yet but was wondering.... I remember the old days of using a Kill Switch hidden in the interior so the car couldn't be started. I think it was set up to cut power to the coil. Is this the best place to cut power?
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 271
Likes: 134
I think so. I like that better than a starter kill switch (which you find common on alarms). Starter kill is obvious (they may try to defeat it), ignition kill is not. Chances are, they won't know why it does not start, and they kill the battery trying to start it. Better to have a dead battery, than a missing car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 196
From: Wilton Ca.
You can also install a **** type battery quick disconnect. It will save your battery when the car is sitting for a long period, say in winter but, it can be used as a theft deterrent as well by unscrewing and removing the **** there by killing any power supply to the system.
You'll get pros and cons as some guys have had issues with them (green ****, foreign produced) but there are some that are USA made (black ****) that, IMO are of better quality which is what I been using.
If you do decide on one install it on the negative post.
Gary
You'll get pros and cons as some guys have had issues with them (green ****, foreign produced) but there are some that are USA made (black ****) that, IMO are of better quality which is what I been using.
If you do decide on one install it on the negative post.
Gary
Last edited by Gary's '66; Feb 11, 2016 at 02:03 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Yes - if you want a "kill" switch those green **** cutoffs will do the job....after a few years they'll get corroded and kill any chance you have of starting your car. I've had the expensive, American-made ones and they gradually went bad - I use only knife switches.
Any thief worth his salt will have a simple jumper wire and jump from the battery to your ignition coil and bypass your dash switch and most any cutoff you may install.
Just get good insurance and take reasonable precautions when leaving the car somewhere and enjoy life.
Any thief worth his salt will have a simple jumper wire and jump from the battery to your ignition coil and bypass your dash switch and most any cutoff you may install.
Just get good insurance and take reasonable precautions when leaving the car somewhere and enjoy life.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,016
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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If your only stoping a joy rider then that might delay them by a few minutes any person who is out to steel your car that won't even faze them at all. A trailer with a winch or a wire with clips and a screw driver and your off
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 159
Likes: 17
From: SF Bay Area CA
For a key-fob controlled battery-kill switch, you might want to look into a product called the Battery Brain T3. I installed one on my '58 about a year ago and I have never had an issue with it. It's a very convenient way to kill the battery without having to pop the hood each time.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
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From: Fresno California
These cars are super easy to steal. Be insured. That said, I have a hidden kill switch to the coil of my '67 GTO convertible, which I leave unlocked and sometimes with the top down. I have a chain and padlock hood lock, so it would take a little effort to cut the lock off and hotwire the car. That, and it has a Truck-sized 'club' on the steering wheel. Use The Club on the 'Vette, too, just to keep people without bolt cutters honest. A lot of cars are stolen on a lark, and a kill switch will prevent that from happening. Plus, if your car is a stickshift, that seems to be a deterrent for the younger, clueless generation of thieves who can't drive a standard.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 466
Likes: 155
JRiver.... I also did this many times before but decades ago as you describe. Any typical 12V toggle or button switch properly rated that interrupts the negative side of the coil can be hidden in the cockpit and work reliably for years to deter the amateur car thief. A cranking car makes noise. Unless they are pros if you cost them any unexpected time it increases chances they leave. Cost for wire + switch at any auto parts store is minimal. You can also install a dummy switch ( with wires tied beneath dash) in more obvious location as a decoy. Again.....time cranking a motor that won't start is the deterrent. Cheap insurance bud !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 233
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter Florida
These cars are super easy to steal. Be insured. That said, I have a hidden kill switch to the coil of my '67 GTO convertible, which I leave unlocked and sometimes with the top down. I have a chain and padlock hood lock, so it would take a little effort to cut the lock off and hotwire the car. That, and it has a Truck-sized 'club' on the steering wheel. Use The Club on the 'Vette, too, just to keep people without bolt cutters honest. A lot of cars are stolen on a lark, and a kill switch will prevent that from happening. Plus, if your car is a stickshift, that seems to be a deterrent for the younger, clueless generation of thieves who can't drive a standard.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 233
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter Florida
For a key-fob controlled battery-kill switch, you might want to look into a product called the Battery Brain T3. I installed one on my '58 about a year ago and I have never had an issue with it. It's a very convenient way to kill the battery without having to pop the hood each time.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
Jriver, I never lock my ragtop GTO even with the top up because I'd rather have my road maps stolen than my top slit. A simple, rated switch in series with the ignition + side hidden somewhere will give you piece of mind. I have installed them in glove compartments (hidden), and have then locked the glove compartment. So somebody would have to be really on the ball to get your car for a quick joy ride. A worthy $10 addition to any classic car, IMO!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 619
From: northern CA
JRiver.... I also did this many times before but decades ago as you describe. Any typical 12V toggle or button switch properly rated that interrupts the negative side of the coil can be hidden in the cockpit and work reliably for years to deter the amateur car thief. A cranking car makes noise. Unless they are pros if you cost them any unexpected time it increases chances they leave. Cost for wire + switch at any auto parts store is minimal. You can also install a dummy switch ( with wires tied beneath dash) in more obvious location as a decoy. Again.....time cranking a motor that won't start is the deterrent. Cheap insurance bud !
John
Last edited by mrg; Feb 11, 2016 at 02:56 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 391
Likes: 36
From: taunton mass
Kill switch
If you choose a switch to kill power to the coil you may also want to use (if you have a chrome distributor shield) allen head or torques machine screws to attach the shielding as most joy riders may have a screw driver but wont have a set of allen wrenches or torques to get at the coil. This tip came from a post I read in early 2000 when I first got my 66. Hope this helps. Jeff
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 233
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter Florida
If you choose a switch to kill power to the coil you may also want to use (if you have a chrome distributor shield) allen head or torques machine screws to attach the shielding as most joy riders may have a screw driver but wont have a set of allen wrenches or torques to get at the coil. This tip came from a post I read in early 2000 when I first got my 66. Hope this helps. Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,218
Likes: 399
From: Northern CA
Kill switch is really useless. Thieves who are after classics generally watch them for awhile. A professional will have it on a sled in less than 60 sec... and in a container in less than an hour. Seen it done. Quick, Quiet and Painless.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 233
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter Florida
The professional could steal it out of my garage if he wanted. I'm trying to keep someone seeing it parked with the top down while I have dinner from jumping in pulling the connection from the cyl. jumping that and driving away.
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 271
Likes: 134
Yes I think we ALL agree a pro will get it no matter what, but I don't think that is what we are talking about here. Anything you can do to misdirect or slow them down, is only a good thing and MAY help those that are less than pros (which probably make up the majority of car thieves )
Otherwise, if everyone is so set on it being so easy, just leave your doors open, keys in, and leave it running on the side of the road.... no? why? because we want to do what we can to deter them and/or slow them down.
Otherwise, if everyone is so set on it being so easy, just leave your doors open, keys in, and leave it running on the side of the road.... no? why? because we want to do what we can to deter them and/or slow them down.
Last edited by yzguyfl; Feb 11, 2016 at 07:34 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 376
Likes: 25
From: Ham lake Mn
I bought 2 of these, one for the car and one for my boat. Haven't installed them yet. But I like the concept. Probably will interrupt the coil. Hopefully it will make the theft just long enough so I can jump on the hood as they are driving away.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logisys-RM02...YAAOxy0P1SDmX-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logisys-RM02...YAAOxy0P1SDmX-