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kill switch engage!

anwat

anwat

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Some of you will get the title, some won't. I've got a friend coming over tomorrow with his 1969 VW Beetle. It has the most basic of electrical systems. He wants me to help him put in a hidden kill switch in it. Now that I've started to think about it, I'm at a loss as to what circuit to put it on. the first place anyone will look is the ignition wire, so I'd like to skip that. Plus this thing is so simple, it would be easy to supply the 12 v directly to the coil from a smaller battery that the thieves brought for just such an encounter. It's got a mechanical fuel pump. There is no clutch safety switch. I could put the disconnect on the line from the battery to the fuse block, but that would require a relay and also be kind of easy to figure out, since nothing electrical in the car would work. The ignition is really the only thing I can think of that I could put a switch on to keep it from being driven away. Am I right? And if so, does anyone have any good ideas for this purpose? Feel free to PM me if you don't want to put it up for everyone to read your good ideas, if word gets out about a certain hiding spot or trick, it kind of defeats the whole "hidden" part of HIdden Switch. I'm sure someone will have a good idea, so thanks in advance!
 
Are there any factory switches not being used? I had an integra years ago and I used the AC button to kill the fuel pump relay.
 
I had a fuel pump kill switch in my Honda and it still got stolen.

the old beetles are so light that 4 big guys can sometimes just lift them up and on to a trailer if they really want it. I might try some kind of solenoid switch that interrupts the fuel line from the gas tank. Would be easier since the tank is in the front on those.
 
My older brother put an access door in the transmission tunnel in the back floor. Carpet over it. He would open it and pull the sleeve pin he added in the throttle linkage. Would start if they tried to steel swipe it, would not drive.
 
Mechanical fuel pump. But the linkage idea is good...we just had to cut the tunnel for the clutch cable. Have to dig around in there and see if there's something easy to disconnect within reach....Or maybe something that can be done to the fuel pump mechanically when he parks it...I'm almost leaning towards telling him to buy one of those parking boots you get when you don't pay your tickets. Or so I've heard.
 
he throttle cable runs inside of a tube to the back. A section of the tube has to be removed. The other thing that can be done is a 12v valve on the fuel line. Separate switch to turn it on.
 
The 12volt normally closed fuel valve is a good idea. Just know sometimes cranking and keeping that valve open requires a good battery and circuit wiring.

A battery cut out switch under the back seat. I would take my steering wheel with me, when I had a 69 beetle.

Thieves don't even need to bring a battery to defeat primary ignition open switch, a jumper from the alt/generator is all you need.
 
bp71k5 said:
I had a fuel pump kill switch in my Honda and it still got stolen.

the old beetles are so light that 4 big guys can sometimes just lift them up and on to a trailer if they really want it. I might try some kind of solenoid switch that interrupts the fuel line from the gas tank. Would be easier since the tank is in the front on those.
Click to expand...
Yeah, there's no way to be certain they can't take it...you can be sitting in the driver's seat and they will still take it if they want it bad enough. This is just something so he's not giving it away...they have to put in a little effort and bring some tools. In my opinion, the most effective thing to do is put a tracking chip on it...They can take it, but sooner or later, you'll find it, or you'll see it headed out to sea on some ship, but at least you'll know it's gone! I've got one that is satellite based, no cell phone towers needed, and it pings every 10 minutes...$100 a year.
 
I like the idea of a fuel valve that's normally closed. Where would one find such a valve? As far as the service, I'll see if I can find out who I'm paying for the access. I don't get a break on my insurance, since I have it on my two trucks, neither of which has full coverage. I figure it's cheaper than the insurance...There's a lot of companies offering the trackers, though, they are becoming commonplace on fleets and on heavy equipment.
 
I will ask eileen about the tracker.

This is the valve we used if I remember right.

www.macsautoparts.com

Model A Ford Fuel Shut Off Valve - Modern Style - 12 Volt

A great safety item! This can be wired to operate from your pop-out ignition switch, the lighting circuit or a separate switch. Even if you use a disconnect switch it will shut off and reopen once the power is restored. Includes fittings, wire connectors, wiring diagram and instructions. Due...
www.macsautoparts.com www.macsautoparts.com
 
The tracker I have is here...they have changed their pricing policy a little but its actually cheaper now if you keep it for a few years. And I had no idea I could get all the info...I haven't even pulled up my info in a year or so....it's pretty cool how much data they can provide...I just hard wired the box in between the double body panels, and haven't done anything in a couple of years...I probably should go change the backup battery in the unit. There are tons of other companies out there offering these services with different spins on payment.

gpsandtrack.com

ANTI THEFT DEVICE

Use an Anti Theft Device to Protect Your Assets. GPS and Track offers the most innovative anti theft device available. Protect and monitor vehicles, trailers, equipment, assets, heavy equipment, and more with the power of GPS tracking technology.
gpsandtrack.com gpsandtrack.com
 
Ordered a valve and wired the car up for it...it will fit perfectly where the fuel line switches from hard to soft just in front of the fuel filter. I just wired it directly to the switch...you think I should have used a relay? I couldn't find anything about the draw on the valve, but I can't imagine it is more than a couple of amps. I did put a fuse on the circuit, but just ran it straight to where the valve will be.
Thanks for the idea, I never knew something like this existed. I used a Ford inertia switch on my truck, but it's got an electric pump. Wouldn't help too much on a manual pump......
 
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