Standalone Anti theft options

Does anyone know if there are ecu brands that are putting built in anti theft security options in there firmware. Lots of people take there projects to shows or restaurants meetups and the cars not always being watched. It would be nice to have an option for say, a pedal dance to re enable injectors or something with out having to burry a switch ect. I recently have been putting break in mileage on my r32, but everyone knows you can take these with a butter knife. As a previous victim of auto theft its supper shitty to have to be paranoid about someone just jumping into your car and disappearing in minutes. Obviously there's nothing you can do about someone towing it but just running into a grocery store or taking kids to movie or going to dinner with the wife ect. Unfortunately we live in a country where people don't respect others hard work and will take things just because.

I already knew you live in the US without checking your profile lol. I'm right there with you living near DC, Bro. It's a shame we are forced to live around these idiots, but that's our reality right now. I've learned about a few modern car options that use controls on your steering wheel which is great for stuff like a dodge challenger. With an older vehicle you can get a system that shuts off your fuel pump or your ignition system and is controlled through an app or a remote.

Gents, it's the same everywhere, regardless of a country- some people steal, unfortunately. I'm not sure if any ECU has the option of anti-theft feature but went different rout. I've installed well hidden GPS tracker and installed hydraulic breaking system hub, that blocks breaks rock solid automatically if not activated before driving and it takes quite an effort to disengage them back. Of course, there is still the option of towing the car but in that case GPS tracker should help.

I fitted a router to my car...as well as providing 4 ethernet ports, 4G "modem" and wifi it also includes GPS. This includes the ability to track it's location interactively and send text messages when required. I can also log into the router remotely, and hence the ECU/dash/data logger/PC and create all sorts of havoc! It also has the ability to monitor and report on sensors, to planning door etc switches that will also trigger a dial home.

In addition, I am planning a hidden button combination required to start the engine. Very easy with CAN and PDM's.

And the advantage of having a totally unique vehicle, they can't just look on the "dark web" on how to hack into it. In fact even with the key several people haven't even worked out how to get into it!

Denis that sounds pretty comprehensive! Being able to find a towed vehicle seems a key part of any theft prep work.

Scott a switch that disables a main relay, so there's no fuel or spark, no ecu power, is a simple way to avoid engine operation, but you could make it require multiple switches.

You could set the fuel pump up to only run if RPM > 500 or a combo like some button is pressed while and throttle is between 30 and 70 and the brake is pressed, so once the engine is running all is normal.

Beyond that, some standalones have immobilizer type functions, like Link has one which can involve a CAN signal if desired.

Honestly I could think of tons of ways to do this, it just depends how wild you want to get.

Thanks guys I know there are plenty of different ways. Ive always done the hidden switch main relay type disable in the past, Mikes post is more what im thinking, and Scott from link is working on something right now along those lines that would more or less be a gas pedal dance in order to enable injectors pump ect. Ill post up what he comes up with, they've done it in the past

My preference would be a shaped charge under the driver's seat, but there are some practical issues with that.

Easiest is a toggle cut-off switch concealed somewhere - if it's controlling the fuel pumps it'd allow the engine to initially fire on rail pressure, but not run. That it started should fool any thieves who shouldn't think of a shut off, but something else, and a casual/semi-pro' should leave it and look for easier pickings.

Shota's brake line-lock sounds good, if plumbed in fail-safe mode, as it adds to the hassle, and they should look for easier pickings.

Unfortunately, there is no way to totally stop a thief (well, maybe my initial suggestion... - I REALLY hate thieves!), the best you can do is not make it worth their time.

To illustrate this, way, way back there was a Porsche stolen in London - it was in a locked garage, in a locked and secured yard, behind a house, the thieves stole a freaking crane and lifted the roof off the garage, and then lifted the car out. Extreme example, but if they want it, they will get it.

There are some other, basic things one can often do, such as minimising how many people know where it's kept, keeping quiet about any anti-theft provisions, checking on-line for vulnerabilities and suggestions for countering them - it's a minor hassle, but something like disabling remote key unlocking may be an option, as that will also disable alarms, which means the thief will have direct access to the interior, and there are (fairly) readily available tools for capturing and using the radio, or IR, signals.

I have a quick release steering wheel so i take that off and take off the fuel pump fuse, at my work we have disablers on our trucks and you have to put in a code to be able to crank the engine which ive been getting something like that on my car.

LOL Gord!

Like Victor mentioned I did the steering wheel way on one of mine as a test and it did work, so that is an option. I have a CAN bus wheel and when it's not there the missing signals prevent ECU operation of the starter, plus no fuel or spark.

I am also going for a removable steering wheel. My exhaust guy makes them so no chance of someone identifying the make and getting a spare!

I'm not sure about other countries but in my area it's quite common thing when they come and pick the car up by special crane truck from whereever they can, sometimes even from the street. They do that very quickly and they are mostly after TLC 200 but wouldn't mind getting any other good build with expensive parts that they can sell. Removing steering wheel wouldn't help much in that situation.

Fortunately in my case they would first have to move the car to get the crane to it...good luck with no steering wheel up my drive with CCTV, alarms and numerous nosey neighbours.

Ultimately if the really want it they will get it (as Gord's example showed!). Just need it to not be worth their effort and go somewhere else.

I just have three pedals and a gear lever, stops 99% of joyriders.

Stephen are manuals rare in your area now as well?

Pretty rare, I think that it is less than 5% of cars sold that have a manual gearbox. My two oldest children didn't want to learn in my manual car, sticking with the wife's automatic.

We're under 2% here now. An increasing percentage of people don't seem interested in engagement with their vehicle, or want to drive at all.

I use a lock out button as a conditional switch on my Haltech's starter solenoid output. Ir requires a specific keypad button to be in a specific setting, plus clutch and brake depressed and neutral else car won't start.

I'll just say requiring clutch depress for start may be a concern for engine thrust bearing wear depending on the application.

Some engines are more prone to this, and heavy pressure plates increase the worry.

It's a good safety measure for less experienced drivers though.

I think every individual solution will work, as it's forcing the thief into head scratching. So unless your're driving a really valuable car for your area thiefs will avoid it, simply because they can't make a plan in front of.

Some ECU have Bluetooth and can make virtual switches. You can, if you like to, switch the injectors off with a virtual switch from your mobile phone... No chance to get it away by it's own, unless you know the brand of the ecu and the Bluetooth pin ... if you then add a mechanical lock onto it, like fully tilted locked steering column, your're golden in most instances...

...glad to live in Europe, the cars I'm interested in are simply not stolen... so an insurance is less than 100,- a year... so the key stays in the slot at all... at least when I'm at home

I agree, Mike, especially "performance" vehicles that may sit for a while and have a 'heavy' clutch that loads the thrust more.

link ecu has something. i have it enabled in a car i tune. i repurposed an oem momentary switch that has to be pressed before cranking the car. i think if it isn't pressed it disables both the injectors and the coils so the car wouldn't start.

You should be able to have password protected Bluetooth/WiFi access to several ecus now and just disable outputs from your phone.