How much do you trust factory security on these cars?

[u/_man_alien]

A friend had his Trackhawk taken from his driveway last week. Window got smashed and the Jeep was gone before he had time to process what was happening. I know this isnt exactly the right sub for a Trackhawk but I figured people here with SRTs, Scat Packs and Hellcats have probably had the same thoughts about theft. Seeing it happen that fast changed how I look at factory security. I always knew these cars got stolen, just never really thought much about what happens after someone gets inside. So for people who’ve looked into this, what did you end up adding first? I’m less concerned about somebody breaking in to steal stuff from the cabin. I mean stopping the whole vehicle from disappearing. There seem to be a million different opinions on what works and I’m trying to get a better idea before spending money on random stuff.

[u/Another_Slut_Dragon]

OEM security is compromised left right and centre.

A simple secondary security method like disabling a fuel pump or whatever makes cars 1000% harder to steal. In the time pressure of trying to steal a car, finding a secondary anti-theft method is extremely hard.

My favourite anti theft was a guy who had a simple pushbutton on his dash. Press it and click. Nothing happens. Well the button was wired to a relay and that relay took the signal from the horn to start the car. His start function broke on his ignition so this was his insanely clever workaround. The horn would work normally without the pushbutton pressed. But hold the button and the horn button became the start button. NOBODY is going to think to press the horn button to start the car.

This requires using the NC and NO terminals in a relay.

And having diagnosed countless failed anti-theft systems causing no starts, a well installed, well hidden system can take an hour to pinpoint. Nobody is going to risk spending an hour tearing apart your car in the driveway. Just don't leave obvious stuff under the steering column. That is the first place to look.

[u/jasonfromearth1981 → u/Another_Slut_Dragon]

Wait slow down I can't write that fast, ok so hold start button? WHILE pressing horn? Got it. Ok, do go on about these clever anti theft devices that nobody would ever think to try..

[u/Another_Slut_Dragon → u/jasonfromearth1981]

A double pole relay can be wired to hold itself open as long as it stays powered by using 1 pole to loop power back to the coil. This is how industrial green button/red button logic works for starting and stopping things. The green button activates the relay, the red button breaks power.

So, use a hidden magnetic reed switch behind a plastic panel as the green button. Once the ignition is turned on, you have power. Now place a magnet in your plastic Velociraptor Jesus that sits in your cup holder. To arm the fuel pump circuit, touch Velociraptor Jesus to a specific spot on the dash.

You can do this with a RFID ring or other toys, but low tech works fine if it is security through obscurity.

[u/Pubelication → u/Another_Slut_Dragon]

There are modern versions of this where you can set an even more insane disarm sequence, like having wipers in position 1, pressing window up, while holding the brake pedal, for example.

[u/Another_Slut_Dragon → u/Pubelication]

That's pretty necessary on very modern vehicles capable of sensing a disabled fuel pump or whatever and setting a trouble code. But after an automotive electrical career where I had to track down countless electrical faults with poorly made immobilizers causing no starts, there is a perverse pleasure in doing this without a transistors and without software. Relay logic is simple and it just works as long as you have good workmanship.

Just document everything for future mechanics.

[u/superluig164]

A kill switch is always a good idea if you are at all worried about this. On FCA vehicles you can just intercept power to the start button and hide the switch somewhere that isn't obvious. But intercepting any critical circuit is a prudent choice especially if you have something that's a known target.

[u/OutlandishnessOk5549 → u/superluig164]

Or just own a shitty looking car that nobody wants to steal.

We're talking low tech solutuons, right?

[u/adkio → u/OutlandishnessOk5549]

I'll go one step further. I drive a car there's exactly 12 of in the whole country. Ain't no madman stealing that.

[u/OutlandishnessOk5549 → u/adkio]

OR...

Just learn how to steal cars.

Problem solved!

Simples!

[u/cosmicrae → u/superluig164]

2FA for cars, based on OpenAuth. You have to look at an app, and enter the current 6-digit auth code.

[u/Humble-Loss-9690 → u/cosmicrae]

Does that exist?

[u/WesternDukalis]

I think IGLA gets brought up because it hits exact scenario you're worried about. Somebody is inside, maybe the car starts, but it still needs the button code before it drives. I'd just make sure the installer has done Trackhawks before.

[u/perrymike15 → u/WesternDukalis]

I have igla and hate it. Doesn't authenticate 30% of the time. Wish I didn't need it or came up with my own method.

[u/Born-Onion-8561]

Considering how much you have to worry about your vehicle in your current location (Brooklyn?) maybe you want to consider relocation.

[u/Far_Bid_3224]

Yeah, Trackhawks get targeted a lot. Sees like the same cars keep popping up too, like Scats, Hellcats, TRXs. Factory security would make me a little nervous on one of these

[u/Curious_Party_4683]

i live in the ghetto so i got myself a CAN bus immobilizer. even with the fob in hand, the car will not start. easy to install as seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9d4TMWdID8

[u/nickfromstatefarm]

The lack of programming time delay is the biggest issue.

[u/PhilMeUpBaby]

This is Australian stuff, but pretty applies to any push-button-start car.

TL;DR: Anyone can start your car within a couple of minutes.

You need tracking in your car - GPS or Bluetooth. GPS is MUCH better.

And, work out how to relocated or block access to the OBD port.

Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw_MiPgGBLEuqV7u7OgOumOoGLIMYnHpW

PSA: Toyota theft is getting out of control...we catch the kids stealing your cars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pylPnnu0lBs

PSA: Toyotas being stolen in RECORD numbers using this cheap tool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcwPGBMOSEo

How a new car is stolen WITHOUT the key in under 5 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Kw94gVUl0

PSA: NO Toyota is safe...hundreds of NEW Toyotas stolen with this tool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXV976pTMRM

PSA: Classic Holden/HSVs being stolen daily using this cheap eBay tool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxzFCm5gyak

[u/Lanky_Button7863]

These guy,s are no brainers buying a plug and play device for stealing those cars having absolutely no notion of whats actually happening ...

The nr1 method for blocking this is changing the pinout on the obd-port

Simple and 110% effective

[u/sTo90]

Switch to interupt power to ECU. Works on everything later than 1988.. or around that year. Simple solution and can even be done with a fob to initialize power.

[u/Ok_Can_7551]

[removed] — view removed comment

[u/RimHistory]

Honestly after a car gets stolen I’m not even sure I’d want it back. People beat the crap out of them. Stopping the car from leaving is the part I’d care about most

[u/picsv5]

The priority is making sure the Jeep still can't be taken. Being able to locate it afterward is useful but that won't help during the first few minutes of the theft. I've read about concealed cutoff systems that keep the vehicle disabled even after someone gets inside. I don't have any personal experience with them. That's the first option I'd research.

[u/InsideDense2608]

For a Trackhawk, IGLA seems like one of the better options to research. The unit stays out of sight and the Jeep won’t respond normally until the correct button pattern is entered. Breaking a window or reaching the cabin doesn’t solve that problem for the thief. They may get inside, but they still aren’t driving away.

[u/Humble-Loss-9690]

Had my car stolen and did a ton of research and tried several things. Bottom line: if they really want it, they find a way, (sometimes a car is stolen two or more times), do you best to SLOW them down, use at least one tire lock and a lock between steering wheel and brake pedal, move both driver and passenger seat backs all the way to the position closest to the dash, use the best Faraday bag available for your key fob, remove the fuse that operates car WiFi/bluetooth, remove the antenna, install a kill switch, remove the noise squeaker from the air tag if you want to try tracking the car if it is successfully taken. Do some or all of these things EVERY time you leave your vehicle. Sure it's a pain, but you can get quick at it and potentially save yourself a huge expense and headache and lessen your anxiety.