Theft deterent?

[Elite1]

Last week I changed my oil & fuel filter. When I change the fuel filter I always drain the fuel filter canister with the little valve. (This valve is installed to purge the water from the fuel, & you should drain your canister periodically. ) Anyway, after I changed the oil & filters, I went to start the truck up & it started for a few seconds and died. Then it wouldn't start... I then realized that I left the purge valve open at the fuel filter canister! I closed the valve turned the key to the on position, waited about 10 seconds for the canister to fill, then it started right up.



Now my question is, let's say I'm traveling out of town and I am in a rather suspicious area & I want an extra level of security, why not just flip the fuel valve open, that way no one can start your truck even if they hot wire it!???

 

[Pawpaw]

All true, but I believe a healthy lift pump will empty your tank before the batteries die. (That would require a very dedicated thief. )



There is an easier (to use) solution... Find the wires that go to your clutch switch. Cut one of them and splice in a hidden toggle switch. With the switch open (off), the ECM will think the clutch is out and won't even let the starter engage.



At least that's what I read in some old posts.



Bob

 

[rbattelle]

I think that fuel drain valve is a very clever idea!



-Ryan

 

[Elite1]

All true, but I believe a healthy lift pump will empty your tank before the batteries die. (That would require a very dedicated thief. )



There is an easier (to use) solution... Find the wires that go to your clutch switch. Cut one of them and splice in a hidden toggle switch. With the switch open (off), the ECM will think the clutch is out and won't even let the starter engage.



At least that's what I read in some old posts.



Bob

Bob, that's an easier solution?



I suppose my way you do risk a tank of fuel if the thief got real carried away... but being out a tank of fuel I could live with!



A funny thing happened to me a few months ago... I parked my truck in a parking lot in San Diego, very close to the border & walked across the border with some buddies. I wasn't real thrilled with leaving my truck there even though the lot had security... I popped the hood and opened up the fuse box & pulled out the fuse marked "ignition" & a few other fuses nearby. About 6 hours later we got back from Tijuana jumped in the truck and drove to my friends house in San Diego. When I got out of the truck I felt something in my pocket and realized the 3 fuses were still in my pocket! I got a good chuckle out of that, here I thought I was disabling my truck in case of a thief & it didn't even work on me! :-laf

 

[Pawpaw]

By "easier" I meant it would be easier to USE. Easier to reach down and flip a hidden switch than to open the hood and reach down beside the engine to open the drain. If it's dark, you'll probably need a flashlight to se it. Not too stealthy.



The drain valve would certainly work, if the thief didn't see you do it. Of course thieves aren't the smartest bunch, so he probably couldn't figure out exactly what you did when you reached in. Nor is he likely to know to bump the starter to prime the system.



If the thief happens to be a pro, we're all blowing smoke.



Bob

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I installed the clutch toggle kill switch. But the water drain valve sounds like an excellent secondary. Is there any possibility of sucking air into the lines and ending up having to purge them, i. e. crack the lines to bleed the air off?

 

[sincity]

Elite1 I don't know whut fuses you pulled but I pulled all three of mine and it wouldn't start all the lights & buzzers came on but when you turn the key nothing.

 

[klenger]

The key here is that you pulled the "ignition" fuse.

 

[CTieman]

Anybody know a similar trick with toggle and clutch sensor on an auto?

 

[jwduke]

Water drain valve idea, is a cheap security feature. I like it.

 

[rbattelle]

Is there any possibility of sucking air into the lines and ending up having to purge them, i. e. crack the lines to bleed the air off?

Nah, the common rail system is self-purging.



-Ryan

 

[Pawpaw]

Anybody know a similar trick with toggle and clutch sensor on an auto?

According to some, the same trick will work for the auto. The connector for the clutch switch is supposed to be there, somewhere around the parking brake, with just a wire completing the circuit. Cut the wire, install your switch.



This is all second (or third, or fourth) hand. I haven't done it, but I should.



Bob

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Nah, the common rail system is self-purging.

But I no longer have a CR, I've evolved back to the P1700. However, sounds like from your response that it could be a problem for pre CRs?



CTieman, there was an article in the TDR mag about how to nueter the autos about a year ago. I'll look when I go home.

 

[TowPro]

Someone trys to steal you truck, they try to start it for around a minute, now there is around 2 gallons of diesel under your truck.



So they give up and:



a: Light the diesel?

b: run away?



If a, you still lost your truck, plus maybe others near it.



If B, you now have a nasty enviromental spill under your truck that could cost a $$$ to clean up if you get caught.



If b: was in your own driveway, expect a hole as large as the diesel spill in a couple weeks!

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

The auto kill article in in TDR 43 pg. 111.

 

[rbattelle]

But I no longer have a CR, I've evolved back to the P1700. However, sounds like from your response that it could be a problem for pre CRs?

It sure is!



-Ryan

 

[GECCO]

Bob, that's an easier solution?



I suppose my way you do risk a tank of fuel if the thief got real carried away... but being out a tank of fuel I could live with!

The other problem is that if he was so determined that he cranked it long enough to empty the fuel tank your starter is toast; it probably wouldn't last long enough to empty the tank in the first place. Now, is a fried starter better than having your truck stolen? Certainly, but, as Pawpaw pointed out, there are much better solutions out there.

 

[BrianJ]

Someone trys to steal you truck, they try to start it for around a minute, now there is around 2 gallons of diesel under your truck.



So they give up and:



a: Light the diesel?

b: run away?



If a, you still lost your truck, plus maybe others near it.

I may be wrong on this, but I believe that diesel will not ignite with a match.



Last year there was even a post about keeping the CTD running during fill-up that discussed that diesel would not ignite from a spark or match, eluviating the concern that you would have leaving a gasser running during fill-up.



Anyway, back to the topic at hand... In addition to the wear on the starter noted in other posts, wouldn't this also put additional wear and tear on the already suspect lift pump?



I would think the kill switch would be a better alternative.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Diesel will start with a match. Diesel mixed with saw shavings is a common wood stove starter mix in back country camps.



Guess I'll stick to my kill switch and not use the WIF valve to snuff my CTD.

 

[MickeyMiller]

I like the drain valve as a secondary measure... primary, you could just pop the started relay from the fuse panel. It won't start without it!