Installing a killswitch in a 2000 Corolla?

Walleye · 05-26-2004, 03:10 PM

Well, it has come to my attention that i need a kill switch for my car.

My sister quite literally stole it today. somehow there was a 3rd set of keys set around. I gave the second set to my brother, and i keep the first set.

The reason she stole the car, is that since she's older, she thinks she's entitled to it. She owns a 95 ford explorer, and she crashed it into another car. this is the 3rd car she's pretty much destroyed, in 7 years of driving. the explorer isnt completely totaled, but it'll be several thousand worth to fix it. (2 other cars are the 84 camry, and a 99 corolla)

So, she thinks that because she's out of a car for the meantime while hers gets repaired, she thinks she owns mine. We offered her other options already. an 84 camry, and a 96 windstar. but no, she has to have the 2000 corolla.

I have to do something to keep her from stealing my car continually. I'll start pulling the distributor or doing some other cutoff, till i can get this installed. but i want to do something.

I have all the documentation and everything for the car, and i will probably be putting the kill switch in the door map pocket. (i dont keep anything there anyway. ) if not, then i'll locate it under the dash. I have the pinouts, the electrical diagrams, factory service manuals, etc. So... what should i tap into for the kill switch? anyone have any suggestions on what kind of switch to use? how much current should the switch be able to handle?

MatrixPC · 05-26-2004, 03:46 PM

Pull either one of these fuses out then the car won't run.
Fuels pump, car will start but die in 5 - 10 seconds
EFI, car will NOT start at all, but will crank till battery die.
Those 2 fuses are easily accessible via driverside kickpanel.

If you really want to install a kill switch, the fuel pump is the best way to go.
Fuels pump power is driven by a relay. Cut a wire that trigger the relay and install an inline kill switch.

robiewp · 05-26-2004, 03:53 PM

If you take off the knee panel on the driver's side, you'll have direct access to the ignition harness. It's been a while since i've played with the stuff, but if you can't find a wiring diagram (think: remote starter) i can be more specific. Anyway, this is an apropriate place to interupt the starter wire. I don't think you want your sister to be able to crank the engine over for 1/2 hour trying to start the thing.

Defiler · 05-26-2004, 03:55 PM

I used to have a car where I had a kill switch installed to the lighter. If it wasn't pushed in it wouldn't start.

SoFlaLude · 05-26-2004, 03:58 PM

Yep, real easy to do. Install a momentary switch on the wire leading to the fuel pump relay. Once you get out of your car, hit the switch. There's usually a little bit of fuel left in the lines so for a split second the car seems like it might start, but she'll just sit there cranking it over with nothing happening. Get in the car, hit the switch, crank it over and it'll fire up perfect. Try to hide the switch in a non-obvious location, under some carpeting or behind a plastic interior panel (if you feel inclined to run an extension wire), and it'll be a cheap little security system too: no gas getting to the cylinders = car not starting = thief not driving away with car. Heck, this might be good for someone you wanna pull a prank on and have access to some wire, the momentary switch, and their keys: wiring a kill switch on the _other_ side of the car so you can randomly hit it.

robiewp · 05-26-2004, 04:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Defiler

I used to have a car where I had a kill switch installed to the lighter. If it wasn't pushed in it wouldn't start.

you just gave me quite a bit of inspiration.

Walleye · 05-26-2004, 06:07 PM

found the factory service manual. there's no complete pinouts, or even fuse box pinouts anywhere in that piece of **** book.

I looked in the car, there's no kick panel. the book mentions something called a hush panel, and that behind it can be accessed another fuse box. that requires the removal of 2 10mm bolts. it's on the drivers side, left of the steering wheel at hand level.

I dont know what to do at this point. i cant find anything in this piece of **** book to help with electrical. no diagrams, nothing.

Scouse Monkey · 05-26-2004, 06:21 PM

For an immediate solution you could get a steering lock like mine (see below). She will soon get the message when faced with that! Also, if you look in front of the gear stick you can just see the immobilser key pad so if someone does borrow my keys they still can't 'borrow' the car! - you do feel like the Transporter though (shame it ain't a BMW though).

Ormo · 05-31-2004, 06:17 AM

Or you could look after your spare keys...

kandyman676 · 05-31-2004, 11:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Ormo

Or you could look after your spare keys...

*IF* she has not already made several copies for herself":-P

The *easiest* method would be to find the fuse box, and yank out one of the fuses. the fuse box *is* the hush box, btw. If you need directions on how to get to it, look here for the 99 model (gf says the 2000 and 99 inside are about the same, just large exterior changes...she has a 99:-) )
http://www.autotoys.com/New_Tech/DIY...99_corolla.htm

the funny part is even the police sites recommend that you install a kill switch on your car to prevent it from being stolen. I would AVOID the kill switch being anywhere near the driver's seat: makes too much logical sense. I would install it on the passenger's side, or in the trunk. they also recommend a dealership to install it so you don't void your warrenty.

god_of_cpu · 06-01-2004, 09:50 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by kandyman676

they also recommend a dealership to install it so you don't void your warrenty.

Warrantys can only be voided if the dealership can prove you damaged the car and then they can only void it on the parts that they can prove you damaged not the whole car.

Confused · 06-01-2004, 09:55 AM

I would tell her that the next time she takes the car without your permission, you WILL call the Police, and she WILL get in trouble. Is she insured to drive your car? If not, then she can get done not only with taking the car without permission, she can get done for driving without insurance.

Hell, i would definately do that if I had a sister who kept taking my car without my permission, ESPECIALLY if she's totalled her own cars in the past, she's more likely to not take care of someone else's car if she didn't take care of her own.

Garry

Scorpnstail · 06-01-2004, 10:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Defiler

I used to have a car where I had a kill switch installed to the lighter. If it wasn't pushed in it wouldn't start.

I like the Idea behind this, now to go about learning how to make something like this work.

Scorp

Ormo · 06-01-2004, 11:13 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by kandyman676

*IF* she has not already made several copies for herself":-P

Good point...
Hmmm..... you can't drive with broken arms.... Small fee and "the lads" can sort her out for you...

Marsupial · 06-01-2004, 12:31 PM

I would simply go with the sterring wheel lock. I have one called "the Club" on my corolla, and one day being lazy I wanted to change my parking location from one side to the other of the street to avoid a ticket without taking the lock off - its not even possible...

with this device, you cannot drive the car unless you damage the sterring wheel and remove it, that should do the trick and leave a clear message.