Key fobs and car thieves

klumpikat · Mar 4, 2015

Articles I have read of late regarding thieves being able to use some sort of mechanism/fob that "jams" our fob's codes and thus allows them to steal our cars have me confused. How does it really work, and how can we protect our Stangs? :shrug: I read that manually locking and unlocking (pinching/touching the handle) is "safer" than using the fob. True?

IndustryLeech · Mar 4, 2015

I suppose using the door handle to lock/unlock your car would result in no broadcasting of your fob's signal, so it couldn't be intercepted. That said, the fob must be actively broadcasting something for your car to know it's in close proximity.

I guess what I'm saying is that I have no clue.

Charles147 · Mar 4, 2015

klumpikat said:
Articles I have read of late regarding thieves being able to use some sort of mechanism/fob that "jams" our fob's codes and thus allows them to steal our cars have me confused. How does it really work, and how can we protect our Stangs? :shrug: I read that manually locking and unlocking (pinching/touching the handle) is "safer" than using the fob. True?

If a criminal is in your immediate area, you think manually locking and unlocking will stop him/her? If they have that tool, they have MANY others...

Fox5.0 · Mar 4, 2015

IndustryLeech said:
I suppose using the door handle to lock/unlock your car would result in no broadcasting of your fob's signal, so it couldn't be intercepted. That said, the fob must be actively broadcasting something for your car to know it's in close proximity.

I guess what I'm saying is that I have no clue.

LOL:lol:

Clink · Mar 4, 2015

IndustryLeech said:
I guess what I'm saying is that I have no clue.

That shit was funny right there. :lol:

cush · Mar 4, 2015

IndustryLeech said:
I suppose using the door handle to lock/unlock your car would result in no broadcasting of your fob's signal, so it couldn't be intercepted. That said, the fob must be actively broadcasting something for your car to know it's in close proximity.

I guess what I'm saying is that I have no clue.

Just a guess because I'm not the FOB design engineer, but your fob probably only sends a signal when a button is pushed or when it receives a query from the car. I say this because if it were transmitting all the time you'd probably have to change the battery quite often. The car on the other hand has much more battery power available to be transmitting on a regular basis. The range is not very far either so your would be thief would have to be very close to intercept your fob signal.

Shanghai Dan · Mar 4, 2015

cush said:
Just a guess because I'm not the FOB design engineer, but your fob probably only sends a signal when a button is pushed or when it receives a query from the car. I say this because if it were transmitting all the time you'd probably have to change the battery quite often. The car on the other hand has much more battery power available to be transmitting on a regular basis. The range is not very far either so your would be thief would have to be very close to intercept your fob signal.

I always assumed there was an active transmitter when you pushed the button, and an RFID chip inside that the car constantly scans for, reads when you're close, and then unlocks.

Push button = active signal. Get near, car scans RFID = passive signal.

doulos4jc · Mar 4, 2015

Another reason to get my remote kill switch installed. Car will not start with that switch thrown, period.

Ecoboosted · Mar 4, 2015

doulos4jc said:
Another reason to get my remote kill switch installed. Car will not start with that switch thrown, period.

I'm interested in this. If and when you get one installed please post what it costs and how long it took to install. Thanks

doulos4jc · Mar 4, 2015

Ecoboosted said:
I'm interested in this. If and when you get one installed please post what it costs and how long it took to install. Thanks

You got it. It's an inexpensive DIY. A hidden toggle switch tapped into the "push to start" switch(either the clutch on a manual or the brake pedal on the auto)

SVTFreak · Mar 4, 2015

Real thieves use a wrecker truck. If they want it, they'll drag it off alarm sounding and all. No one will pay a single ounce of attention.

I do have a hidden dead mans switch in my Shelby replica on the ignition line. But for some reason, I can leave a pair of Oaklys on the console and people won't touch it. Like they are afraid he snake will strike then for even trying.

klumpikat · Mar 4, 2015

doulos4jc said:
You got it. It's an inexpensive DIY. A hidden toggle switch tapped into the "push to start" switch(either the clutch on a manual or the brake pedal on the auto)

This sounds like a great idea. Except...seems like one would want to install the toggle switch in a less obvious place? Maybe in an overhead light switch? :shrug:

doulos4jc · Mar 4, 2015

The switches are under respective pedals. You can tie into them anywhere you can get to the correct wire coming off that switch. Then splice in a micro toggle switch that you can put just about anywhere you want. The hardest part is finding the correct wire to tie into because those switches are fairly complex and control several things.

klumpikat · Mar 4, 2015

doulos4jc said:
The switches are under respective pedals. You can tie into them anywhere you can get to the correct wire coming off that switch. Then splice in a micro toggle switch that you can put just about anywhere you want. The hardest part is finding the correct wire to tie into because those switches are fairly complex and control several things.

Ah, now I understand.

So you don't even need a remote control/fob for this to work, yes? You basically just throw the switch as you exit the car?

Ironcitysteelers · Mar 4, 2015

LoJack.

Key fobs and car thieves

klumpikat

Chick driver

IndustryLeech

Well-Known Member

Charles147

Well-Known Member

Fox5.0

Well-Known Member

Clink

Well-Known Member

cush

Well-Known Member

Shanghai Dan

Well-Known Member

doulos4jc

......looking^

Ecoboosted

Well-Known Member

doulos4jc

......looking^

SVTFreak

#275

klumpikat

Chick driver

doulos4jc

......looking^

klumpikat

Chick driver

Ironcitysteelers

Well-Known Member