jdmsol

Well I'm tired of reading all these posts about how cars are being stolen left and right, so let's start fighting back with simple mods like this. The write up is specifically for the del Sol, but I'm sure others are pretty much the same. This is something that we ALL need and you can bet that it is the first thing that I'm doing in the morning. Hopes this helps a lot of people and to the one's that this didn't reach in time...I am very sorry.

FUEL PUMP CUTOFF SWITCH CHEAP SECURITY
For less than $10, you can make your Del Sol impossible to drive off by even the most determined car thief. The idea is to install a switch in the power circuit to the fuel pump. The switch is hidden in a really secret spot. With the switch off and fuel pump dead, the engine quickly dies. Car cranks like usual, but doesn't run for more than 5 seconds. The only way to steal your car now is to tow it or put it on a trailer. You need the following stuff for the mod:

1. Wire cutters and striper
2. 10 ft. of 12 gauge wire or one size smaller(length depends on where you put the switch)
3. Exacto knife or razor blade
4. Shrink tube insulation or electricians tape (shrink wrap/tubes better - from Radio Shack)
5. Soldering gun and solder
6. A bunch of male/female connectors
7. A switch (two pole). I got a rocker switch from Radio Shack that was rated for automotive use.

Step #1. Here's the creative part. Find a location for hiding the switch. I'd tell you where I put mine, but then I'd have to kill ya. However, here are some suggestions:

· Under the shift boot. Invisible. You press through the boot cover to hit the switch. You might have to do some fabrication of a switch holder bracket.
· In the ashtray/cigarette lighter area (be sneaky)
· Inside the console compartment (too obvious)
· Inside one of the lockable storage bins (hmmmmm)
· Inside the trunk of the car (pain to get to, but max hidden)
· Any place that's a blind spot. I don't recommend the glove box or under the dash. Too obvious. Remember, the car jacker has probably already disabled your alarm, ignition kill, and starter kill system. He'll deduce that you have a poorly maintained car, or you have another kill switch somewhere.

Step #2. Remove the back center panel (just pull off) and big storage bin piece (screws). You might need to undo the screws on the back of the center console (one screw in bottom of console cover area). Then locate the top of the fuel pump. It's on the shelf where the storage bins rested, pretty close to the center. A round dohicky with a bundle of wires going to it.

Step #3. Carefully open up the cover of the wire bundle leading to the top of the fuel pump. The bundle of wires split at some point with 3 wires going to the fuel sending unit and low fuel connector, and two wires going to the C566 connector and pump. Mine had electricians tape around it. Locate the yellow/green wire (that's yellow wire with green stripe). This is the power wire (from ignition circuit) that fires up the fuel pump. [If still confused on the what is what, wires to ignore are yellow/white, black/yellow, black/white, & green/red. They are for sending unit to fuel gauge and low fuel light.] I used the yellow/green wire myself. Cut the wire. Strip some of the insulation off of both ends (just enough to connect with male and female connectors).

Step #4. Locate where you want to install the switch. Figure out how you're going to affix or attach the switch. If access to connecting the wires is limited, wait until the last minute to glue, screw, or bolt the switch down. I super glued mine. Improvise.

Step #5. Connect a new section of wire to the wire coming out of the fuel pump. You do have the option to hard wire the circuit . However, I soldered a female connector to the wire coming out of the pump and a male connector on the new wire (more about this later). Use a hair dryer to shrink insulation over the connection. Your option is to use electrician tape.

Step #6. Route that wire to your switch. Solder or use a female plug connector to attach to one pole of the switch.

Step #7. Now, take another piece of wire and connect to the other pole of the switch (female connector or solder). Route that wire back to the fuel pump area.

Step #8. Connect that wire coming from the switch to the remaining or only loose end fuel pump wire (the one that goes to the circuit and finally to the power). Use a female connector on the wire from the switch and a male connector on the remaining wire. Shrink tube insulate that puppy. The circuit is now complete. The reason I have a male connector on the wire coming from the power circuit and a female connector on the wire from the fuel pump is to have an emergency way to hook up the circuit if the switch fails. Just a failsafe backup.

To keep all the wires from chafing or disconnecting, I used small zip ties to bundle the wires to other wires or spots. Use some duck tape and tape it down. Whatever.

Step #9. Test the switch. Start the car. If it starts, the switch is in the "on" position. Then, switch the switch to the opposite setting. The car should stall out. Taaaadaaaa, fuel pump is switched off. If the car doesn't start in either setting, you have bad connection someplace. Recheck the circuit. You only have four places that it could be screwed up. The only other problem could be the cheap *** switch you bought at Target.

Step #10. If the switch works, finish the install of the switch. Hide it good. Reassemble all the panels. You're in biddness.

The only thing you have to be aware of is that it is a given you will forget about the switch. You'll jump in the car, turn the keys, and it won't start. That's when you slap yourself silly because you forgot (for the 10th time) that you didn't turn on the fuel pump switch. DAMNIT!!! Stupid, stupid, stupid. However, that's the idea. You want the car jacker to think that you're a rotten car owner that poorly maintains his car. Won't start. A more experienced car thief will look for a mechanical fuel cutoff switch under the hood or some other device under the dash or glove box. If the switch is hidden and he doesn't want to spend a lot of time looking, the thief will split to find an easier target. This security mod is a cheap, extra layer of protection. No guarantees.

Now, I could tell you how I've installed a second switch in that same circuit. The first switch is easy to find (car thief thinks "Ah HA!"), but I always leave that one in the ON position. The second switch is buried in the bowels of the car. That's the real one. I'm not going to tell you where that one is located. MOOWHOOOWAAAHAAAHAAA!

WongFeihung

those are great ideas mang! Im not so worried about anyone jacking my car though..it looks like a beater from the outside. dents, scratches, paint peeling and alot. Its a sleeper.

jdmsol

^

Leb_CRX

I did that to my CRX back in the day, kept blowin fuses...than I figured out it was touchin the body of the car (need to use more electrical tape)...hehe

great idea though, gotta do it to my hatchy soon, gives good peace of mind :D
|eb_CRX

slvrcivic97

I might just have to do this also

deepnite

at the risk of getting themselves shot some nite ud think that these ****** would get a legit job instead of ripping off others hard earn work and money