Best way to install a kill switch?

[Matt400]

Its hard to beat the chipped key, I haven't read on TDR where a chipped truck was stolen. All the thief has to do is look in the window to see if the red led on the dash is on, if it is then its got the chip. If not all they gotta do is hot wire it.

 

[JWChessell]

I recently posted info from the National Insurance Crime Burea website -- www.nicb.com -- that in 2004 the 7th most stolen vehicle in the U. S. was the 2003 Dodge Ram pickup (whether diesel or gas, the website didn't say; my guess would be that the majority were gas 1500s).



It would make sense (I think) that AT LEAST half of those had a chip'd key, and further that less than half of that number were towed as opposed to driven away. So, that probably leaves a significant number of 2003 Dodge Ram pickups with chip'd keys that were stolen by driving them away from where they were parked.



HOW was this accomplished? Can anyone explain the process, other than by using another chip'd key? Thanks.

 

[Matt400]

Why would you assume that half were chipped? Everyone that I know of here on TDR that had one stolen was not chipped.

 

[JOblenes]

Its hard to beat the chipped key, I haven't read on TDR where a chipped truck was stolen. All the thief has to do is look in the window to see if the red led on the dash is on, if it is then its got the chip. If not all they gotta do is hot wire it.

Do all trucks with the chipped key have a red light? I am pretty sure I have the chipped key (Sentry Key) but don't recall seeing any red light. I am going to have to go check my window sticker to make sure I do, in fact, have Sentry Key.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Aren't the sentry keys grey instead of black? That is the way it is with my '04 Rubicon. Don't know if the dodges are the same but I would guess so.

 

[Matt400]

Chipped key is gray and fat, non chip is black and thin.

The red led in the dash lights up when the doors are locked with a gray key.

Its still there, just not functional on trucks with the black key.

 

[JWChessell]

Why would you assume that half were chipped? Everyone that I know of here on TDR that had one stolen was not chipped.



I was just trying to make some "guesses" because I had no information from the national insurance website concerning exactly WHICH model Ram pickups had been stolen. If "Dodge Ram pickups" were #7 among all stolen vehicles in the U. S. in 2004, then the total numbers for Dodge Ram pickups is fairly high. Many of those stolen had to be 1500s with gas engines; some of those undoubtedly had chip'd keys. A certain number of the rest had to be diesels, and some of those had chip'd keys; perhaps the final number of "diesels with chip'd keys" was very small, but those trucks were still stolen, and probably some of them were not towed. I'd like to find out how many that # actually was, and how we can protect ourselves -- notwithstanding that we have a chip'd key -- from having our trucks driven away from where we parked them. If the actual fact of the matter is that NO 2003 diesels with chip'd keys have been stolen by "breaking in, hot-wiring, starting and driving away" (as opposed to towing) then I'm happy with my chip'd key and don't need to install a kill switch.

 

[WUrbowicz]

which wire again???

has been asked... not answered/ where is the jumper wire for the clutch switch on an '04 automatic (not stick)??? /have found the Yellow/Red (not Yellow/Blue as stated in issue 43 P. 111)jumper wire on an '01 auto/thanks for anyone with a knowledgeabe reply





'04. 5 3500 SRW 48 RE/'01 3500 DRW AUTO

 

[betterthanstock]

I like the idea of having the engine start, then die about 3 seconds later and refuse to crank. It's very frustrating to a thief, a big let down. They may decide to abandon it.

You need to be creative. Specialized Ram thieves do read some of these postings.

I like some of the ideas I've seen on here about people using magnetic switches, where you have to place a magnet to a secret part of the dash to get it to start.

 

[GECCO]

WUrbowicz, check ur PM's

 

[DaveK98]

Dumb question but is it possible to upgrade to the chipped key?

 

[GECCO]

Yes, it is. There's a thread about it here https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149925

 

[JasonCzerak]

re-visiting thread

Do you prevent the truck from ever starting? (clutch switch, starter wire, cam/crank wire)



Or



Do you allow the truck to start, roll a mile and die? (lift pump)



If you can't start the truck, your going to pull the radio, look for switches, break stuff. then run away.



If you can drive, they'll leave quicker, but it will stall, what would one do if they have a broken truck after 1 mile? Would one run? or proceed to look for a switch? attempt to at least hit a tree?



The general public here tends to lean toward not starting at all. But I know I can split wires into my intake lift pump and look factory at that.





Now a slightly more personal question of you all. . Where do you put your switches. . I have one idea thus far. And it would be the last place I personally would look for one.



Under seat? first place. dash? second place I'd look.



Anyone ever use a magnet activated switch? That sounds like a real trip idea

 

[GECCO]

Now a slightly more personal question of you all. . Where do you put your switches. . I have one idea thus far. And it would be the last place I personally would look for one.



Under seat? first place. dash? second place I'd look.

Perhaps mount a rocker switch under the cloth of the seat so you have to feel it more than see it?

 

[JasonCzerak]

Perhaps mount a rocker switch under the cloth of the seat so you have to feel it more than see it?

yeah, that's what I was thinking. But if you got wires that don't look 100% factory or perfectly hidden, it can be by-pasased if found. wires in the dash are hard to get around, especially if they are in a cluster of gauge pod wires.