A friend of mine has a 2003 GMC. His truck was broken into in the mall parking lot yesterday. These crooks are smart. He has the factory alarm system. The way the alarm system works is that it disarms the alarm if you unlock the door with the Keyless entry remote or the key. If you break a window, reach in and unlock the door then open it, the alarm will honk the horn and flash the lights. So what these crooks are doing is smashing a little hole beside the key with a punch and prying the the door lock rod to unlock the door. What this does is disarm the alarm as well as unlock the door! I haven't actually looked at it yet myself he just described it to me. I will take pictures when I have a chance.


The good news for those of you with an aftermarket alarm is that this procedure will not disarm the aftermarket alarm.


I am likely going to disconnect his lock rods so this can't happen again. Then he can just use the keyless entry remote to get in and hope he remembers to change the battery often. He also has onstar so he should be ok as long as the battery never goes dead in the truck. We might rig up some kind of mechanical mechanism as well. We'll have to see when we get in there.


I've have always had an aftermarket alarm in all my vehicles and I have been lucky enough to never have one broken into. I think this is a little bit luck but also has a lot to do with lazy thieves. They would rather go for an easy target then break into one with an alarm. Of course there are exceptions but if you can save a B&E once it's worth it! Even a simple flashing LED is a step in the right direction.

Just though I would warn all of you.

Thanks Max.

I used to have a flashing LED in my 97 truck. No alarm but you would think there was.

Thanks Max.

I used to have a flashing LED in my 97 truck. No alarm but you would think there was.



To be honest, as far as theft deterants go I think that is as good as anything.

You can also use Rear Door handles on the front! That might confuse the enemy!

You can also use Rear Door handles on the front! That might confuse the enemy!





I was thinking of that as well.

That why I dont lock my doors. I rather has some of my stuff taken then to have window broken. If they going to steal the truck a little lock wont stop them.

Someone point me in a good direction to obtain an easy install flashing LED. I want something I can turn on when the ignition is off.

That why I dont lock my doors. I rather has some of my stuff taken then to have window broken. If they going to steal the truck a little lock wont stop them.








Locks only keep out the honest people. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif Sad but true.


A friend of mine lived in an apartment a few years ago. He had his stereo system stolen out of his truck. He did the same the same thing as you after that. He just didn't lock his doors anymore and didn't bother putting a stereo back in it untill he moved. They still broke his window 3 times after that! Once they knew he had a stereo they assumed he would be putting one back in.

Someone point me in a good direction to obtain an easy install flashing LED. I want something I can turn on when the ignition is off.



I use one manufactured by Industrial Devices Inc. in Chicago. (201) 489-8989


IDI Part # 5100H1FL 12V flashing LED. It also has a mounting bezel and lead wires. Very easy to intall.

The way I hook them up is the 12v lead goes to a constant 12v source and the negative lead goes to an ignition wire. This way when the ignion is off there is ground on the ignition wire and it makes the light flash. When the ignition is on there is power on the ignition wire so the LED doesn't flash. This way you never forget to turn it on or off. Very simple and effective.

Max Power -


Please excuse me if I missed something in this thread. On my truck, the alarm will go off if you unlock the door with a key after you lock the door with the fob. Isn't the "door lock rod" mechanically connected to the lock tumbler? If so, then it would be the same thing as unlocking the door with a key and the alarm will sound.


Are you sure your friend locked the door with the fob? Locking the door with a key will not arm the security system on my truck.

Max Power -


Please excuse me if I missed something in this thread. On my truck, the alarm will go off if you unlock the door with a key after you lock the door with the fob. Isn't the "door lock rod" mechanically connected to the lock tumbler? If so, then it would be the same thing as unlocking the door with a key and the alarm will sound.


Are you sure your friend locked the door with the fob? Locking the door with a key will not arm the security system on my truck.








It shouldn't go off if you unlock it with the key. There is a mechanical switch that will disarm the alarm if you unlock it with the key. Try this, lock you door with your fob but leave your window rolled down. Wait a couple minutes and then open the door from the inside. The alarm will then be set off, honking the horn and flashing the lights. If you stick your key in the drivers door and turn it to unlock the alarm will disarm. Trust me http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif If you don't believe me, go and try it for yourself. Think about it, if you fob batteries went dead you need a way to disarm the alarm. This is why they do it like they do.

To further prove my point, here is schematic that shows the drivers 'door key switch'


If you can't make it out, save the picture to a file then open it.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/FED_TifToGif.gif

What volume and on what page did you find the schematic? Inquiring minds want to defeat these crooks. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif

damn, I kinda pictured Manitoba, Canada as a place were you did not have to worry about that kind of thing happening.


I live in Southern Maryland, about 25 miles from Washington DC and I don't lock my doors. Half of the time the keys are in the ignition.


Jesse

Since he needs body work have them take the locks out all together No locks they will know where to punch the whole in the door Is the lock in the handle?????Edited by: Leatherman

Max Power


I'm going to look into defeating the switch that is mechanically connected to the lock tumbler or other linkage. This would mean that if the fob battery went dead and you opened the door with a key, the security system would go off regardless of the position of the lock linkage. To disarm, you would need to turn on the ignition with the correct transponder key.


BTW thanks for the schematic. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gifEdited by: Dura_Mike

No need to look into defeating it. All you would have to do is unplug the wire or cut it.


Actually the key does not have a transponder in it. Passlock 2 uses the haul effect to take a reading of the key. (Different cuts produce different readings) And turning the key on does not disarm the alarm. So you would still need an alternative way to disarm it in that situation. One way would be to hide switch that simulates unlocking the door with the key. Not difficult to do at all.



Leatherman, no body work is required. They simply punch a hole through the door handle. Only the door handle needs to be replaced. I am going to talk to him tonight about his options. We might just replace the handles with one without a key hole.Edited by: Max Power

damn, I kinda pictured Manitoba, Canada as a place were you did not have to worry about that kind of thing happening.


I live in Southern Maryland, about 25 miles from Washington DC and I don't lock my doors. Half of the time the keys are in the ignition.


Jesse





Actually in Winnipeg which is the capital of Manitoba there are an average of 10 vehicles stolen each day. This is in a city of just under a million people. Seems pretty high to me. This is the city where his truck was broken into.


I am about an hour away from there and our crime rate is really low. i don't lock my doors in my house when I am at work all day. I never lock the doors to my truck around here either.Edited by: Max Power

I found which ignition wire actually starts the vehicle, not the one that turns everything on (except starting) when the key is in the "on" position, and I tapped into it... installing a kill/disable switch... I mounted it where no one would ever find it except me... so unless someone does some serious hunting around to find the switch, they won't be able to start the truck... cost me about two dollars for the switch and already had some wire laying around. Cheap but effective.

No need to look into defeating it. All you would have to do is unplug the wire or cut it.


Actually the key does not have a transponder in it. Passlock 2 uses the haul effect to take a reading of the key. (Different cuts produce different readings) And turning the key on does not disarm the alarm. So you would still need an alternative way to disarm it in that situation. One way would be to hide switch that simulates unlocking the door with the key. Not difficult to do at all.



Starting the engine does disarm the alarm on my '04.


I just ran a test. I sat in the drivers seat, closed the doors and armed the security system with the fob. When the system security indicator light went out, I opened the door. The alarm sounded. I put the key in the ignition and started the engine. The security system disarmed immediately. It looks like all one would need to do is unplug the switch on the lock cylinder linkage and punching a hole in the door handle plate to move the linkage would not circumvent the security system.

Your truck already has passlock 2 which pretty much makes it unstealable anyways. No offense but your igntion kill is overkill. If it helps you sleap at night, thats all that matters. I'm not flaming your just informing you.

I went and had a look at his truck tonight. The didn't actually punch a hole through the handle bezel like I thought. The drove a screw driver into the lock itself and used the bottom of the lock as a fulcrum for leverage and twisted the whole lock by the looks of it. There actually isn't much damage. I will take pictures when I take it apart to change the damaged lock. I will know a bit more then.

Thanks for the info. I'm originally from CA where I had 3 vehicles stolen, so I guess the Passlock 2 system will help me sleep better. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


I checked out Oilburners.net. Its a nice site. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

No need to look into defeating it. All you would have to do is unplug the wire or cut it.


Actually the key does not have a transponder in it. Passlock 2 uses the haul effect to take a reading of the key. (Different cuts produce different readings) And turning the key on does not disarm the alarm. So you would still need an alternative way to disarm it in that situation. One way would be to hide switch that simulates unlocking the door with the key. Not difficult to do at all.



Starting the engine does disarm the alarm on my '04.


I just ran a test. I sat in the drivers seat, closed the doors and armed the security system with the fob. When the system security indicator light went out, I opened the door. The alarm sounded. I put the key in the ignition and started the engine. The security system disarmed immediately. It looks like all one would need to do is unplug the switch on the lock cylinder linkage and punching a hole in the door handle plate to move the linkage would not circumvent the security system.





I will have to test this tomorrow on my 03. I am pretty sure it doesn't disarm the alarm. I will confirm tomorrow.


You are right about unplugging the switch wire if that were the case. As I said, I am pretty sure the 03 is different. We install a lot of remote starters in vehicles so bypassing the security system is obviously required. It is very possible that 03's and 04's are different.

Max Power


With all the questions and confusion about the theft systems, I would rather have my kill/disable switch, because I know it will work all the time, no matter what... I'm a little old fashioned in the sense that I don't like to rely on computers to protect me... if I do it myself, then I know it will work... and if the SOB that tries to steal my truck can find the switch, then he deserves the truck!


Not trying to start an argument here buddy, just trying to explain why I did it that way... unlike some other people, I like to get along with everyone!!

Like I said, if it helps you sleep at night it's worth it.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif I just wanted others to know that the passlock II is very effective.

An ignition or fuel pump shutoff will also stop someone with a duplicate key from stealing your vehicle.

An ignition or fuel pump shutoff will also stop someone with a duplicate key from stealing your vehicle.

That is very true. Edited by: Max Power

No need to look into defeating it. All you would have to do is unplug the wire or cut it.


Actually the key does not have a transponder in it. Passlock 2 uses the haul effect to take a reading of the key. (Different cuts produce different readings) And turning the key on does not disarm the alarm. So you would still need an alternative way to disarm it in that situation. One way would be to hide switch that simulates unlocking the door with the key. Not difficult to do at all.



Starting the engine does disarm the alarm on my '04.


I just ran a test. I sat in the drivers seat, closed the doors and armed the security system with the fob. When the system security indicator light went out, I opened the door. The alarm sounded. I put the key in the ignition and started the engine. The security system disarmed immediately. It looks like all one would need to do is unplug the switch on the lock cylinder linkage and punching a hole in the door handle plate to move the linkage would not circumvent the security system.






You know what is really funny is that, just as i thought, my truck does NOT disarm when I turn the key to run. I have to unlock the door with the key or press unlock on the FOB. mine is an 03. Very odd, I am surprised they changed such an insignificant thing.

The key factor is putting in something that takes too much time. Given time, you can seal anything, even alarms with several redundant systems. I wired in a key fob to my aftermarket system to alarm both the aftermarket and the OEM systems. The ignition is dead in 3 different ways total. I also had the vin etched on all the glass as a deterent. I found out that a Chevy PU is the #1 stolen vehicle in Texas. Hey! That's what I drive! I at least want to make it a royal P.I.T.A. to steal.

chuntag, I would be willing to pet that pre 98 are the #1 stolen. Passlock 2 slows them down a lot. Pretty much the only way they can steal it is with a tow truck.

My truck had a intermittent problem with the computer thinking that the rear DS door was open. It only happened one day and hasn't happened since. The fob would not shut the horn off. I had to put the key in the ignition and turn it on to shut the horn off.

that is extremely wierd. The FOB should always disarm the alarm. The other way that would have worked would have been to put the key in the door and unlock the door.

I tried that too Max. I just hope it doesn't happen again. I scheduled an appointment to take it into the dealership the next morning. It was still doing it when I got home from work that night, but everything was fine the next morning. I did make sure they documented it though.


I will try to remember to test the alarm in the morning and see what happens. Maybe it was just a computer glitch.

There is definately a problem there.