1985 Cheap Anti-Theft
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
1985 Cheap Anti-Theft
Hey guys-
Just a thought as I'm fixing up my Vette. It's starting to look a lot better and I don't want to get it stolen. I hardly live in a heavy-crime area, but the 1985 doesn't have the VATS system, and I don't think it has much at all in the way of anti-theft devices.
SO-my question, is there an electrical line someplace that I could put on a switch that will keep the car from starting, but isn't obvious? I mean, if someone is really committed to stealing it I'm sure they still could but a simple hotwire wouldn't allow it to start without the switch being on.
First thought I have, is a line to where the injector fuses are that would keep power from the injectors. So it would crank and crank and never start. Would-be thief assumes it's just not going to start.
I know I could also install a full alarm system, but I honestly don't want to.
Just a thought as I'm fixing up my Vette. It's starting to look a lot better and I don't want to get it stolen. I hardly live in a heavy-crime area, but the 1985 doesn't have the VATS system, and I don't think it has much at all in the way of anti-theft devices.
SO-my question, is there an electrical line someplace that I could put on a switch that will keep the car from starting, but isn't obvious? I mean, if someone is really committed to stealing it I'm sure they still could but a simple hotwire wouldn't allow it to start without the switch being on.
First thought I have, is a line to where the injector fuses are that would keep power from the injectors. So it would crank and crank and never start. Would-be thief assumes it's just not going to start.
I know I could also install a full alarm system, but I honestly don't want to.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
* Cable to starter solenoid but that is easy to detect and bypass. ( And that is already there from 1984 also but it does not use the coded key )
* Power to ignition coil. Engine still gets fuel and could ruin sparkplugs.
* Power cable to fuel pump, can be heard.
* Power to injectors. You could add a relay behind the fuse panel.
* Power to ignition coil. Engine still gets fuel and could ruin sparkplugs.
* Power cable to fuel pump, can be heard.
* Power to injectors. You could add a relay behind the fuse panel.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
You could install a switch in line for the injectors (though it would have to be a double pole switch)
You could install a switch in line in the wire that powers the coil.
You could install a switch in line in the wire that powers the start enable relay.
You could install a switch in the fuel pump power wire
Lots of options.
You could install a switch in line in the wire that powers the coil.
You could install a switch in line in the wire that powers the start enable relay.
You could install a switch in the fuel pump power wire
Lots of options.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
You could install a switch in line in the wire that powers the start enable relay.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Hey guys-
Just a thought as I'm fixing up my Vette. It's starting to look a lot better and I don't want to get it stolen. I hardly live in a heavy-crime area, but the 1985 doesn't have the VATS system, and I don't think it has much at all in the way of anti-theft devices.
SO-my question, is there an electrical line someplace that I could put on a switch that will keep the car from starting, but isn't obvious? I mean, if someone is really committed to stealing it I'm sure they still could but a simple hotwire wouldn't allow it to start without the switch being on.
First thought I have, is a line to where the injector fuses are that would keep power from the injectors. So it would crank and crank and never start. Would-be thief assumes it's just not going to start.
I know I could also install a full alarm system, but I honestly don't want to.
Just a thought as I'm fixing up my Vette. It's starting to look a lot better and I don't want to get it stolen. I hardly live in a heavy-crime area, but the 1985 doesn't have the VATS system, and I don't think it has much at all in the way of anti-theft devices.
SO-my question, is there an electrical line someplace that I could put on a switch that will keep the car from starting, but isn't obvious? I mean, if someone is really committed to stealing it I'm sure they still could but a simple hotwire wouldn't allow it to start without the switch being on.
First thought I have, is a line to where the injector fuses are that would keep power from the injectors. So it would crank and crank and never start. Would-be thief assumes it's just not going to start.
I know I could also install a full alarm system, but I honestly don't want to.
If the car is broken into, the alarm sounds and it won't start
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
Open door => "SECURITY" is flashing.
Lock with central locking button => "SECURITY" without flashing.
Close door. Alarm is on.
Reach in and unlock the door and the alarm will go off.
Unlock with key to disarm.
That functionality is in the 1984 and I don't think they removed it in 1985.
Lock with central locking button => "SECURITY" without flashing.
Close door. Alarm is on.
Reach in and unlock the door and the alarm will go off.
Unlock with key to disarm.
That functionality is in the 1984 and I don't think they removed it in 1985.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
It can happen that it gets stolen but I don't think it is often enough for me to worry. Now if I owned something in the top 10 most stolen cars, sure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
Ya the alarm is prettey good and sounds loudly. What I read as a precaution if someone wanted to steal a early c4 they would stick a long screwdriver in the battery so it would go dead. No alarm after a few hours. That was back in the day. Now I doubt you have to worry. Mine is 85 also. I noticed a wire to a led (which was bad) mounted in my panel. When I replaced the led it was blinking as the wire was soldered onto one of the alarm connections. I put a small switch from frys next to the lighter so I can turn it on and off when I wish. I did not research where it was connected.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Pretty cool. Have you seen many alarms go off and what happens? People hardly look. I don't even bother to turn my head when an alarm goes off. Why? Pretty much anything can set it off. I can snort the engine a little in a parking garage and set off a few alarms. Granted my engine and exhaust is louder than most, it can still be an issue of people being desensitized by the hypersensitive alarms that sound for almost anything.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
Like others said, you have the same system my 84 has.
it does not have the special key later years use, and i'm thankful for that.
It's pretty basic, but the car will disable if the alarm is tripped.
It works much like the factory alarm on my S10, if the doors are unlocked with what the system thinks is the key, then it should disable.
On my car the alarm would trip when i unlocked the door with the key randomly.
Fixed that by cleaning the little key switch sensor.
It's not a perfect system, and i do wonder if a slim jim would bypass the alarm...
One thing that worries me is a joyride...
I can disable my car from starting or running through my ECM, but it was only a side effect of my engine mods.
New ECM can have several different programs loaded up at once, and i can switch them on the fly.
I have one memory bank loaded with a program that the fueling tables are zero'd out.
Sometimes for fun i switch the bank to shut the car off...
They also make battery disconnect relays, you could run a switch inside of the car to operate it.
one option fpr a hidden switch is one of the head light dimmer switches for an old chevy truck, they mount on the floor...
it does not have the special key later years use, and i'm thankful for that.
It's pretty basic, but the car will disable if the alarm is tripped.
It works much like the factory alarm on my S10, if the doors are unlocked with what the system thinks is the key, then it should disable.
On my car the alarm would trip when i unlocked the door with the key randomly.
Fixed that by cleaning the little key switch sensor.
It's not a perfect system, and i do wonder if a slim jim would bypass the alarm...
One thing that worries me is a joyride...
I can disable my car from starting or running through my ECM, but it was only a side effect of my engine mods.
New ECM can have several different programs loaded up at once, and i can switch them on the fly.
I have one memory bank loaded with a program that the fueling tables are zero'd out.
Sometimes for fun i switch the bank to shut the car off...
They also make battery disconnect relays, you could run a switch inside of the car to operate it.
one option fpr a hidden switch is one of the head light dimmer switches for an old chevy truck, they mount on the floor...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Like others said, you have the same system my 84 has.
it does not have the special key later years use, and i'm thankful for that.
It's pretty basic, but the car will disable if the alarm is tripped.
It works much like the factory alarm on my S10, if the doors are unlocked with what the system thinks is the key, then it should disable.
On my car the alarm would trip when i unlocked the door with the key randomly.
Fixed that by cleaning the little key switch sensor.
It's not a perfect system, and i do wonder if a slim jim would bypass the alarm...
One thing that worries me is a joyride...
I can disable my car from starting or running through my ECM, but it was only a side effect of my engine mods.
New ECM can have several different programs loaded up at once, and i can switch them on the fly.
I have one memory bank loaded with a program that the fueling tables are zero'd out.
Sometimes for fun i switch the bank to shut the car off...
They also make battery disconnect relays, you could run a switch inside of the car to operate it.
one option fpr a hidden switch is one of the head light dimmer switches for an old chevy truck, they mount on the floor...
it does not have the special key later years use, and i'm thankful for that.
It's pretty basic, but the car will disable if the alarm is tripped.
It works much like the factory alarm on my S10, if the doors are unlocked with what the system thinks is the key, then it should disable.
On my car the alarm would trip when i unlocked the door with the key randomly.
Fixed that by cleaning the little key switch sensor.
It's not a perfect system, and i do wonder if a slim jim would bypass the alarm...
One thing that worries me is a joyride...
I can disable my car from starting or running through my ECM, but it was only a side effect of my engine mods.
New ECM can have several different programs loaded up at once, and i can switch them on the fly.
I have one memory bank loaded with a program that the fueling tables are zero'd out.
Sometimes for fun i switch the bank to shut the car off...
They also make battery disconnect relays, you could run a switch inside of the car to operate it.
one option fpr a hidden switch is one of the head light dimmer switches for an old chevy truck, they mount on the floor...
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 610
Likes: 12
From: Seattle Wa
Just helped a buddy get his, new to him, car running. PO couldnt get it started. 4 Kill switches! Like Peter C4 says. Insurance! I have an agreed value of 10k from Hagerty....$300 a year! Love Classic car Ins.! h