More scumbags

[Igor]

There are more scumbags also in Dublin. Last night someone tried to steal my car. About 10 days ago someone also broke in but just smashed the fly window and rummaged through the compartments, nothing to be taken anyway and that was it. It seems the assholes came back.

So last night someone tried to steal it. They broke again, the same, fly window (wonder wouldI get a volume discount with the glass repair guy? ), broke the lock and while trying to get away left the car few meters away as for some reason they couldn't turn (it's very tight there) and run it into a wall. Fortunately, the area is so tight that everything needs to be done in first gear so the damage is only on the bumper, scratched and a bit dented under the light, no other body work damage,not even the light. But the bastards broke the lock and made a mess there. They were heard immediately and they run away, hopefully CCTV footage will help to catch them.

Have to say Garda was very good, they arrived after few minutes, insisted to take the car for the forensics and are very eager to get as much from the CCTV. Funny enough, just last night was a garda in my house to pick up the CCTV from the previous break in.

Just a quick question.
I found the car with the engine off but there was an audible clicking sound coming under the bonnet. All the lights were off and only the airbag light was blinking dimly. The airbag was not released as there's no space to accelerate at all, even in mx5 I had to disconnect the battery to stop it. Would that clicking noise come from the coils? Hope nothing major and I'll get the car back on the road soon. I assume the locking mechanism that was broken is not a major operation to replace either. Hm, if the lock is replaced does it require keys to be recoded? Probably not as the lock is only a reader and the immobiliser has the codes.
Anyway, bastards. They used to shoot people for stealing horses in some parts of the world.

[anniniwa]

Jeez sorry to hear that Igor, nasty couple of days for you. Thank God they were disturbed..cud have been alot worse I guess.

Fingers crossed they catch those scumbags¬!!!!

Ann

[franksm]

Where was that Igor ?

Hate to say it, but now that they know where the car is, they *will* come back over and over again until they see you've secured it properly.

I take it you don't have an alarm/immob yet, so do get a proper motorcycle lock for the steering wheel. Having said that, it only needs one bolt undone to negate that idea if you have it wrapped around the underneath of the seat.

When you park up for the night, pull the INJ relay out of the fusebox and leave the car unlocked (don't tell the insurance company though).

[hillymx]

sorry to hear of your bad luck Igor...........such b***ards
Hilly

[Igor]

Thanks guys!

Well, the car was about to be fully secured these days, the alarm was ordered and only bad weather postponed installation. It has the immobiliser though and I think that caused them some issues. I don't know the details though as it seems they couldn't drive off. The car is taken for forensics so I couldn't do any checks. They were actually quite bold as the estate is difficult to drive through and to get in/out, I don't think they'd be able to get the car out at all though. Garda has the CCTV footage so hopefully they'll pick them up from the footage.

[franksm]

Cool - give us a shout if you need help with the installation. I fitted a Clifford Avantguard, and everyone reckons they're a nightmare to install. Not so.

[Igor]

Cool - give us a shout if you need help with the installation. I fitted a Clifford Avantguard, and everyone reckons they're a nightmare to install. Not so.

Thanks Frank! Really appreciated. I was to fit this on my own but since the car is going to be at the mechanics and they will have to mess with the electrics to fix it I will most likely just ask them to put the alarm in since they're at it. Was looking before for the GPS tracker (thanks for electrical diagrams) but though it'd be too much but now I'll probably go for it. A topic for a tech day, eh?

I do have to say that I was checking some car alarm installers in Dublin and most have just absurd prices. As I was looking for the alarms on the web I noticed that the even some cheaper alarms that costs about 60 euros on the web in Dublin car alarms places will sell you the same one for 350(alarm only)+plus installation (often +VAT). I don't expect those shops to be cheaper than the web and would pay for it and the service but they're just milking it too much.

[johnc55]

Very interested in the topic of security. In 2009, had my roof ripped and car messed with. Alarm and immobilizer were operating and stopped them going much further than stealing a pair of sunglasses and the radio facia.

Have now sourced and got a gps/gsm tracker unit which also incorporates remote monitoring and engine cut-off via sms text. With this I want to instal a radar proximity detector which can detect someone approaching the car before they get inside. I believe this can be adjusted to avoid accidental activation.

This is all just a project in the planning so far because I have not had the time to play around with the parts yet. Also trying to learn about the intricacies of car electronics while doing this - isolating diodes, relay switching etc.

My idea is to leave the installed alarm and immobilizer as a stand alone system and add in the gsm/gps unit which will text me if the car moves or is disturbed but before the alarm is activated.

Not sure if I have the complete plan clear yet but will be working on it over the next while.

A tech day around this would be very interesting.

JohnC55

[RLtd]

Sorry to hear about that Igor, makes me sick. I'd love to catch someone trying to break into a car......
John & Frank, I'd be interested in any tips/advice you have on security.

[Geese]

Be careful if you're using the chain around the wheel thing. Last time they sawed through my wheel and whipped the chain off. Get an alarm ASAP it's teh only way to deterr them.

[leamyj]

There was mention of the removable steering wheel earlier. On my Mk1 I changed the gear shift to a short throw one and it came as a 2 part device, so you were able to actually "unwind" the shifter upon leaving the car if you wanted to.

Not sure if this one is two part.......

[franksm]

AJ's car got done *again* outside the house this morning. It's immobilised, no battery or anything, hardtop and all fitted, but still they had to go and bend the window glass out of its frame. They spent a few minutes trying to get a crooklock thing off the steering wheel (and failed although the steering wheel is bent now) and very slowly realised the car has no power and is going nowhere. They then went for my red one in the driveway, but the Clifford in that shooed them away. Gave them a chase, they disappeared into a nearby park. Cops caught them 30 minutes later. In court on Tuesday. Fab !

Anyone out there still have no alarm/immobiliser on their '5 ? It's only a matter of time... very few easily stealable cars left these days, and the MX5 would be the primary target.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tRVkH54GU

[mx5ash]

F**kin bastards. In bloody broad day light. Hope they get more than just a slap on the wrists.

[decoy]

AJ's car got done *again* outside the house this morning. It's immobilised, no battery or anything, hardtop and all fitted, but still they had to go and bend the window glass out of its frame. They spent a few minutes trying to get a crooklock thing off the steering wheel (and failed although the steering wheel is bent now) and very slowly realised the car has no power and is going nowhere. They then went for my red one in the driveway, but the Clifford in that shooed them away. Gave them a chase, they disappeared into a nearby park. Cops caught them 30 minutes later. In court on Tuesday. Fab !

Anyone out there still have no alarm/immobiliser on their '5 ? It's only a matter of time... very few easily stealable cars left these days, and the MX5 would be the primary target.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tRVkH54GU

what area is this in??

[RLtd]

Fair play to you for having the cameras and putting the vid up and well done to the Gardai for catching them. If there is any justice left in this excuse for a country, they will get proper punishment.
Damn bad when they have the cheek to try in broad daylight alright.