Security Kill Switch: Which Circuit to Interupt?

[IanRJ]

Hi Folks

Wondering if anyone has fitted a Kill Switch to prevent their van from being driven away.

I have a Tracker and the usual Ducato Key and Security etc, but I'd like to have a hidden Kill Switch installed.

It seems the Ducato has two fuel pumps, one of which is mechanical (or so I'm lead to believe), and one electric. My understanding is that if a Kill Switch interrupts the fuel pump circuit the engine will still turn over and start and it may be driven some short distance before there is fuel starvation. And once it has stopped the mechanical pump may allow it to start and drive that distance again. I guess that would cause some degree of problems for thieves but not exactly what I'm looking for.

So I think interrupting either the ignition feed well away from the key and steering wheel (so cant easily be traced and reconnected), or even the starter (relay)feed would be preferable, in which case the engine should not even turn over.

Have any of you Funsters actually done this on a Ducato, and if so would you share the method you used?

Appreciate your feedback.

 

[2GB Racing]

A little risky on an open forum to advise how to fit a battery kill switch then all and sundry will know how to bypass to steal, Private message perhaps to members only ?

 

[IanRJ]

Hardly going to discuss the location of a kill switch! I think discussing the best circuit to interrupt is unlikely to start a rush to steal Motorhomes!

Which member would you recommend I PM

 

[bigwood]

I fitted a switch in the starter motor solenoid cable on the old MG I owned. This stopped the engine from cranking. Nothing very technical but it might slow down any potential theft by a low life.

 

[IanRJ]

I fitted a switch in the starter motor solenoid cable on the old MG I owned. This stopped the engine from cranking. Nothing very technical but it might slow down any potential theft by a low life.

Thanks bigwood Yes that is a definite option but I believe that is a 20amp circuit, so would prefer a lighter circuit to splice a switch into. Perhaps the signal feed to the starter relay (that I think feeds the Solenoid)?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

Thanks bigwood Yes that is a definite option but I believe that is a 20amp circuit, so would prefer a lighter circuit to splice a switch into. Perhaps the signal feed to the starter relay (that I think feeds the Solenoid)?

I think that's what Big wood is referring to.
The other starter soliniod cable would need a switch capable of carrying 200 or 300 amps.
The trigger switch wire would be my preferred choice and would be the least obvious.
Using the electric fuel pump could throw a fault code for the fuel system. IE: ignition on, no fuel pressure, fault code.

 

[Stealaway]

The other starter soliniod cable would need a switch capable of carrying 200 or 300 amps.

My mate has one of these in the starter motor cable. He takes the key out with him

 

[IanRJ]

I think that's what Big wood is referring to.
The other starter soliniod cable would need a switch capable of carrying 200 or 300 amps.
The trigger switch wire would be my preferred choice and would be the least obvious.
Using the electric fuel pump could throw a fault code for the fuel system. IE: ignition on, no fuel pressure, fault code.

Thanks Pappajohn, which is the trigger switch wire you are referring to? The wire to the starter relay?

 

[XxAnthxX]

You could potentially fit one of these, but maybe into the starter motor cable rather than the main battery supply.......

Car Remote Control Battery Switch Disconnect with Positive Connection Cable DC 12V Latching Relay Electromagnetic Solenoid Valve Terminal Master Kill System Anti-theft Amazon product ASIN B07ZFPYML1

 

[IanRJ]

My mate has one of these in the starter motor cable. He takes the key out with him

View attachment 470828

Yeah that really needs to be under the bonnet, I’m hoping for something in the cab a bit more discrete.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

Thanks Pappajohn, which is the trigger switch wire you are referring to? The wire to the starter relay?

Yes, the thin wire at the solinoid.

 

[Stealaway]

Yeah that really needs to be under the bonnet, I’m hoping for something in the cab a bit more discrete.

He has come through the bulkhead and the switch key / lever is inside the cab

 

[IanRJ]

You could potentially fit one of these, but maybe into the starter motor cable rather than the main battery supply.......

Car Remote Control Battery Switch Disconnect with Positive Connection Cable DC 12V Latching Relay Electromagnetic Solenoid Valve Terminal Master Kill System Anti-theft Amazon product ASIN B07ZFPYML1

That’s a nice find, unfortunately that will completely disconnect the battery so the likes of clocks etc would need to be reset after each activation (AFAICS). I think something simpler is the answer.

 

[IanRJ]

He has come through the bulkhead and the switch key / lever is inside the cab

Would that be a little obvious then? Or is it hidden somehow?

 

[XxAnthxX]

That’s a nice find, unfortunately that will completely disconnect the battery so the likes of clocks etc would need to be reset after each activation (AFAICS). I think something simpler is the answer.

As I said install it in the cable to the starter motor instead.....rather than a total battery disconnect.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[IanRJ]

Yes, the thin wire at the solinoid.

I think that wire to the solenoid will be 20amp too, I know in other vehicles the feed to the ECU and the starter relay is only around 1 amp or so, but I’m open to an education on it.

 

[Stealaway]

Would that be a little obvious then? Or is it hidden somehow?

Yep under the glove box. All you see is hole surrounded by a plastic ring. The connections are in the engine bay by the diesel filter, on the bulkhead

 

[pappajohn]

I think that wire to the solenoid will be 20amp too, I know in other vehicles the feed to the ECU and the starter relay is only around 1 amp or so, but I’m open to an education on it.

In that case (which I doubt) you could break the solinoid feed wire and fit a 30amp N/C automotive relay and switch that instead
It would probably be in Milliamps to trigger it.

 

[I2C]

I know I'm a bit late to this, just took out subscription, but I did the following, obviously not saying where it is but it's been in place for a few years now. One thing I did was work out a way to disable when it goes in to the garage, didn't want to tell the garage how to use it.

 

[IanRJ]

I know I'm a bit late to this, just took out subscription, but I did the following, obviously not saying where it is but it's been in place for a few years now. One thing I did was work out a way to disable when it goes in to the garage, didn't want to tell the garage how to use it.

Thanks for that and welcome to the Funhouse! I haven't got my van from storage as yet but my first plan is to interrupt the negative (ground) on the ignition/starter relay, assuming I can identify it and access in in the relay panel. I'll use an on / off switch rather than a momentary to avoid the issue with servicing etc.

Nice design though, thanks.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[I2C]

IanRJ If you have any questions please feel free to PM me and I’ll try to answer them - I have ideas to improve the switch part (magnetic reed switch, Arduino with blue tooth access via phone) but I’ve not gotten round to them yet, it works so there’s no hurry to improve.

 

[cmcardle75]

Remember that any solution involving the starter circuit can be defeated by bump starting. It is also easy to hotwire, if you know what you're doing.

 

[Sidthegreat]

Hi all
have you worked out a simple solution to this?
im looking to do similar to me 2017 Ducato

 

[Bailey58]

A variety of options already mentioned but you may get more response and answers to many other questions if you pay the membership fees and join.

 

[pelican]

My mate has one of these in the starter motor cable. He takes the key out with him

View attachment 470828

Don't tell them pyke.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Stealaway]

Don't tell them pyke.

You will have trouble finding it. All that's visible is a all hole.

 

[pelican]

You will have trouble finding it. All that's visible is a all hole.

Ah but I know what it looks like!

 

[Stealaway]

Ah but I know what it looks like!

Ah but ---- it mounted down the back of the engine where you can't reach it. .
Actually you can still bump start it if you realised

 

[pelican]

Ah but ---- it mounted down the back of the engine where you can't reach it. .
Actually you can still bump start it if

You said under glovebox in earlier post.

 

[Stealaway]

You said under glovebox in earlier

Ok it's under the glove box.

Ah but ----- where's the van?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}