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Car Thieves Arrested After Using Laptop and Malware to Steal More Than 30 Jeeps

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Re: Car Thieves Arrested After Using Laptop and Malware to Steal More Than 30 Jeeps

#11

Post by cmdrfred »

icantdrive55 wrote: post #6

If your poor, like myself, and want to slow down a car thief, put in a kill switch. Run the proper gague wire from the primary on the coil to a switch in the cab. The primary wires are the small wires on the coil. (I can't think of any reason the ECU would throw a trouble code.) It gets more complicated if you have a separate distributor running to each cylinder, but there's always a point in the electrical system yo…

Adam Corolla recommends this method. He also recommends painting your car stereo bright orange with spray paint to prevent theft.

Re: Car Thieves Arrested After Using Laptop and Malware to Steal More Than 30 Jeeps

#12

Post by function_seven »

chrissnell wrote: post #10
icantdrive55 wrote: post #6

If your poor, like myself, and want to slow down a car thief, put in a kill switch. Run the proper gague wire from the primary on the coil to a switch in the cab. The primary wires are the small wires on the coil. (I can't think of any reason the ECU would throw a trouble code.) It gets more complicated if you have a separate distributor running to each cylinder, but there's always a point in the electrical system yo…

There's a cleaner way. You can use a battery terminal disconnect directly on the battery: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N729FS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_p1xP... Personally, I drive an old diesel truck and it's as simple as disconnecting the fuel cut-off solenoid wire from the solenoid. Old diesels like mine are terrifically simple and really only have two wires: the starter positive lead and the fuel cut-off lead. The cut-o…

That seems like quite a hassle to pop the hood every time you're ready to drive the car, then pop it again when you're done. It also would prevent electronic locks from working.

Much simpler to install, for sure. But having a hidden toggle switch somewhere is a lot simpler for every day operation IMO.

Re: Car Thieves Arrested After Using Laptop and Malware to Steal More Than 30 Jeeps

#13

Post by TwoBit »

my_first_acct wrote: post #2

More details from this article: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/a... Quote: Berj Alexanian, a spokesman with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, said officials know how the Jeep Wrangler was stolen. According to Alexanian, the thief broke into the vehicle and used a laptop to enter its VIN number in order to access the Chrysler database. Dealerships, repair facilities and locksmiths are usually the…

So they had unauthorized access to the Chrysler servers. Possibly via a stolen laptop. Seems too easy.

Re: Car Thieves Arrested After Using Laptop and Malware to Steal More Than 30 Jeeps

#16

Post by rudedogg »

function_seven wrote: post #12
chrissnell wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a cleaner way. You can use a battery terminal disconnect directly on the battery: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N729FS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_p1xP... Personally, I drive an old diesel truck and it's as simple as disconnecting the fuel cut-off solenoid wire from the solenoid. Old diesels like mine are terrifically simple and really only have two wires: the starter positive lead and the fuel cut-off lead. The cut-o…

That seems like quite a hassle to pop the hood every time you're ready to drive the car, then pop it again when you're done. It also would prevent electronic locks from working. Much simpler to install, for sure. But having a hidden toggle switch somewhere is a lot simpler for every day operation IMO.

And you'd have to reset your clock, and preset stations. Also the fuel trims the ECU is using would be wiped out.

That product is pretty cool though, I didn't know they existed. Makes sense for an RV or something you rarely use.

Re: Car Thieves Arrested After Using Laptop and Malware to Steal More Than 30 Jeeps

#18

Post by asimuvPR »

icantdrive55 wrote: post #6

If your poor, like myself, and want to slow down a car thief, put in a kill switch. Run the proper gague wire from the primary on the coil to a switch in the cab. The primary wires are the small wires on the coil. (I can't think of any reason the ECU would throw a trouble code.) It gets more complicated if you have a separate distributor running to each cylinder, but there's always a point in the electrical system yo…

All modern cars have individual coil packs. The way to do it is to intercept the signal to the starter or to the fuel pumps. Both are accessible from the cabin.

Older japanese cars are stolen due to the import tuner scene. The older hondas and nissans are easy to steal and sell in parts. A honda B18C engine still costs around $1000. This one is found in third generation acuda integras (gsr model). Even newer ones like the Honda s2000 get stolen for interior parts (seats and gauge cluster).

Re: Car Thieves Arrested After Using Laptop and Malware to Steal More Than 30 Jeeps

#20

Post by asimuvPR »

rudedogg wrote: post #16
function_seven wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That seems like quite a hassle to pop the hood every time you're ready to drive the car, then pop it again when you're done. It also would prevent electronic locks from working. Much simpler to install, for sure. But having a hidden toggle switch somewhere is a lot simpler for every day operation IMO.

And you'd have to reset your clock, and preset stations. Also the fuel trims the ECU is using would be wiped out. That product is pretty cool though, I didn't know they existed. Makes sense for an RV or something you rarely use.

It is also not recommended for Euro cars like bmws. They are finicky.
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