Someone tried to take the Mustang

mustang68

On sat night someone tried to take the Mustang, used a screwdriver to bend down the window, and pop the lock, alarm went off (I have a key fob that woke me up) and by the time I got to the window they were driving off.

The odd thing was they parked in a parking space in (I think)an Audi A3 and then headed off slowly when the alarm went off. I don't think they were master criminals. with my alarm there was no way that they would be leaving in my car.

Now I'm investing in a whole pile more of warning stickers/lights to tell people about the alarm, those morans seem to have missed my current ones.

BeardyGit

Alarms and all that are great, but if you really want to make sure they're not going to just take a chance on yours, stick a dirty big chain and reinforced padlock on it. Nothing deters an idiot trying to rob a car like that will....

You need something with at least 8mm links and preferably a branded one like Abus or similar which have with dual tempered octagonal profile. I tried getting through one before on my old motorbike when I lost the keys.... Killed grinder disks, hacksaw blades, wouldn't break no matter how much I pounded it with a sledge on an anvil, and broke an expensive bolt cutters. Finally gave in when I took a con-saw to one of the battered links, but made a hell of a racket. Best €150 I ever spent on keeping my gear safe, even if it pissed me off no end when I had to try and remove it.

A pro can get around an alarm using all sorts of tricks and technology, but you just can't avoid making a big noise and a mess dealing with a good chain and a proper padlock.

Hope the damage to your Mustang is easily repairable, and that they leave it alone next time.

bijapos

Don't really understand you, are you saying they mananged to move the car and then stopped?

I used a battery cut off switch on a VW T1 I used to own, crude but it helps sometimes. But if the car is really valuable consider a satellite tracker, at least if its taken you have a very good chance of getting it back.

mustang68

bijapos wrote: »

Don't really understand you, are you saying they mananged to move the car and then stopped?

Ah, sorry, no. They left when they opened the door and the alarm went off. But they had carefully parked the car that they came in, which struck me as odd, if you want to steal a car, don't carefully park your getaway car, leave it in the street running.

Thanks for the chain advice, I do have the mother of all steering locks, I guess I'll have to pop it back on.

voxpop

mustang68 wrote: »

Thanks for the chain advice, I do have the mother of all steering locks, I guess I'll have to pop it back on.

A chain is no use - they just cut the steering wheel with a hacksaw and drop the chain out.

mustang68

I've got one of these:

JoeySully

I always find taking the rotor arm out of the distributor to be a good engine immobiliser. Small enough to fit in your pocket.

Chances of scum-bags having one or even knowing what one is are slim too. Guess its to only advantage to not upgrading to electronic ignition.

spooky donkey

no he is saying they never got the car moving. The car that was moving was the Audi A3 that they then left in. I had to read it twice myself to get that.

Where was the car stored out side your house? Where abouts did this happen, Just wondering what area these scum are operating in.

Glad the bastids did not get away with the car anyways.

chiefwiggum

i know a fella who had a car that there was always scumbags trying to get at it.what he did was get two pieces of plyboard and put nails screws and blades on each and left them under the seat covers....woke up one night to the sound of howling and two scummers running off holding there arses...crude but effective...

BeardyGit

voxpop wrote: »

A chain is no use - they just cut the steering wheel with a hacksaw and drop the chain out.

Not if it's wrapped once around each of the three spokes on the steering wheel, with the tails tucked under both the seat rails and padlocked.

No system is infallible - It's all about delaying a would be thief and making it less attractive for them to take a shot at your pride and joy.

antodeco

RoverCraft wrote: »

Not if it's wrapped once around each of the three spokes on the steering wheel, with the tails tucked under both the seat rails and padlocked.

No system is infallible - It's all about delaying a would be thief and making it less attractive for them to take a shot at your pride and joy.

+1. If they see the car as being anyway a hassle to take, they will try someone elses. I detach the battery everytime, and also deter in clear view with a wheel lock. If they get around the wheel lock, the car wont start.

Dades

Ideally you want something that will stop them damaging the car before they realise they can't drive the thing.

I have an immobilizer and alarm with associated stickers. If that doesn't deter them the fact that my 924's charging system is giving me grief so the battery is likely to be hooked up in my living room should stop them. :pac:

COB MGV8

Why are these guys interested in stealing old cars ?

Is it :

Just for a laugh ?

To sell on or break for parts ?

They think they are easier to steal than a modern car ?

I've heard of a guy who's Triumph Dolomite had chains / padlocks / immobilisers / alarms etc - it was put on a flatbed and taken away ! Makes me wonder - why go to these lengths - can't be for the money. I can see why they'd go for a Mustang in good nick because of the market value....

I use a battery cut-off switch in one of mine and an electronic fuel cut-off in the other. I still live in fear of them disappearing because the insurance certainly won't pay back the time / money and tears that have gone into them ! Currently in the process of going to an 'agreed' value with the insurer....

spooky donkey

COB MGV8 wrote: »

Why are these guys interested in stealing old cars ?

Is it :

Just for a laugh ?

To sell on or break for parts ?

They think they are easier to steal than a modern car ?

I use a battery cut-off switch in one of mine and an electronic fuel cut-off in the other. I still live in fear of them disappearing because the insurance certainly won't pay back the time / money and tears that have gone into them ! Currently in the process of going to an 'agreed' value with the insurer....

I have one of them batery cut off switches in mine also handy little things and only a tenner. I just take mine out leave the car unlocked as I dont want them damaging the door to find out they cant drive the car. ALso I leave my modern car with an imobliser in front of my classic in the drive so they will also have to get by that first before even getting to my baby.

a_v525

Dades wrote: »

No, LIGHTNING, the issue is somewhere related to the alternator, voltage regulator or the wiring of same.

I had a refurbed alt fitted as the battery wasn't charging. Solved the problem for a week or two. Now the same thing is happening. My current theory is that the battery lamp in the dash is blown. Apparently if this lamp goes the whole charging circuit is incomplete, and the battery won't be charged. I've noted the battery lamp doesn't light up at all where it should at least on startup.

Any thoughts appreciated!

[MODS feel free to move to a new thread!]

Sorry for goin off-topic but must be a common prob for the '24

My service history has a brand new alternator fitted 2 years ago with an engineer's report saying they couldn't confirm a fault with the old one and my voltmeter shows only about 11V whenever I try to start her after leavin her sitting overnight, she starts but battery is very sluggish.
I reckon alternator is 100% as it stays in the green zone near the 14V mark whenever the car is driving, but when she idles low the voltage drops back down around 10-11V

Still, gotta love the '24

Dades

a_v525 wrote: »

My service history has a brand new alternator fitted 2 years ago with an engineer's report saying they couldn't confirm a fault with the old one and my voltmeter shows only about 11V whenever I try to start her after leavin her sitting overnight, she starts but battery is very sluggish.

Sounds like you have a drain, rather than a charging issue! They can be a nightmare.

a_v525 wrote: »

I reckon alternator is 100% as it stays in the green zone near the 14V mark whenever the car is driving, but when she idles low the voltage drops back down around 10-11V

I think the bosch alternators need at least 900RPM to charge. So if you have a low idle it may not charge until you move off. At least if you are getting 14V on the move it means everything is working though - I don't get anything!

a_v525 wrote: »

Still, gotta love the '24

Someone has to love them!

(Have requested this thread become a new one, btw)

mustang68

COB MGV8 wrote: »

Why are these guys interested in stealing old cars ?

Is it :

Just for a laugh ?

To sell on or break for parts ?

They think they are easier to steal than a modern car ?

I've heard of a guy who's Triumph Dolomite had chains / padlocks / immobilisers / alarms etc - it was put on a flatbed and taken away ! Makes me wonder - why go to these lengths - can't be for the money. I can see why they'd go for a Mustang in good nick because of the market value....

I'm a bit concerned by this go at my car, this wasn't drunken teenagers looking for a joyride, this was someone who specifically drove into the estate in an ok car. After the alarm went off, they drove away a bit but waited, then they only headed after we switched on the lights. I have a feeling that they will be back. In the meantime I'm going to go belts and braces on the car, lets not make our classics an easy target.

I'm wondering would it be on a ferry now if there hadn't been an alarm on it.

I'm in west Dublin 15, but i'll not say any more then that!

Dades

Any chance you can set up a CCTV camera?

I set up a cheap one with an LED pointing down at my car outside the gaff.
It doesn't even need to be hooked up - just visible and with a red LED or something.

Also stick up a big monitored by CCTV sign.

a_v525

Thx Dades.

Back on-topic:

The only problem with using a chain is that itll take time to chain up & take off in the morning.
And the problem with a battery cut-off switch or just unhooking the battery is that your clock will always be wrong & youll lose your station presets on your radio, plus any half-decent thief will probably be aboe to locate a cut-off switch.

As OP said, its worrying that these guys werent just scumbags or teens tryin to have a bit of fun, they seemed organised. A big steering lick should deter them again, also the fact that now they know its alarmed might make them think twice again

cian1500ww

Get yourself one of these:

COB MGV8

cian1500ww wrote: »

Get yourself one of these:

As the old joke goes ..... Can he put out fires as well ?

bijapos

If you are worried about the car disappearing altogether then get a satellite tracker, can't recommend these things highly enough and it should be worth something off the insurance.

As a deterrent a motion sensor and a small spotlight help, floods the area around the car with light. If your living in a built up area the neighbours might not approve though.

mustang68

bijapos wrote: »

If you are worried about the car disappearing altogether then get a satellite tracker, can't recommend these things highly enough and it should be worth something off the insurance.

Good advice.

cian1500ww

How expensive are those trackers ?? Do you have to pay per month ??

mustang68

cian1500ww wrote: »

How expensive are those trackers ?? Do you have to pay per month ??

less then 100, ebay is your man. They just take a normal SIM and text you when you text it, or the alarm goes off or whatever, hiding it is the key and not advertising that you have one!!!

(No monthly fee, the text you get are GPS coordinates)

Paparazzo

bijapos wrote: »

If you are worried about the car disappearing altogether then get a satellite tracker, can't recommend these things highly enough and it should be worth something off the insurance.

As a deterrent a motion sensor and a small spotlight help, floods the area around the car with light. If your living in a built up area the neighbours might not approve though.

I think they're vital in a classic. And surely if you're paying a premium against theft it should be lowered?

cian1500ww

mustang68 wrote: »

less then 100, ebay is your man. They just take a normal SIM and text you when you text it, or the alarm goes off or whatever, hiding it is the key and not advertising that you have one!!!

(No monthly fee, the text you get are GPS coordinates)

Interesting, been thinking of getting one. Any links to reliable ones on ebay ?

mullingar

http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/gps-car-tracker/





This one has:

Track on Demand - Replies with a TXT message of current latitude, longitude, speed, and time, as well as an Internet map link to your cellphone to show you exactly where the GPS tracker/your vehicle is.

Geo-fencing control - When the vehicle moves in/out the preset scope, it will send an SMS alarm to the authorized phone numbers.

Movement and Speed Alert: The tracker can warm you with SMS message when the vehicle starts to move from a stationary status, or when the vehicle is moving faster than a preset speed.

Stop the Engine: You can send an SMS message to the tracker to cut off the gas and battery power, so the engine will remain in an immobilized stated until your remove the alarm status.

GPRS: With a GPRS enabled SIM card, you can monitor real-time movement of your vehicle with the supplied software on your computer.



€68 + shipping from China, probably around €100 delivered

JoeySully

That sounds great - How reputable is that website?

Anyone fancy a group buy would work just under €70 each for 10.

mullingar

I have used them 4 times. Zero problems.

But I always get stung with customs if they use DHL/UPS because they always stick on the exact price on the customs declaration label, so its 21% of the declared value.

If the order is low enough they will offer ordinary registered post. This way you have a 90% chance of avoiding customs duty.

JoeySully

ahh i see
well it seems to be only 81.44 € delivered.

Group buy of 10 would be 681/10 = €68.10
But if caught for Vat (which is more likely) would be ~€82

mullingar

As I have an account with them, these are the costs:

Purchase 10, including Irish 21% vat, works out to be around €85 each as I will get caught for duty
Purchase 1, works out to be €80.32 each as its delivered via the post, 90% chance not being caught by customs, €95-100 if you get caught

They do accept PayPal

Dades

If a gang is clued in enough to steal a specific car and get it on a boat before the theft is discovered, would they not be able to remove a tracker?

Or is the tracker stashed somewhere where they'd never look?

mullingar

Dades wrote: »

If a gang is clued in enough to steal a specific car and get it on a boat before the theft is discovered, would they not be able to remove a tracker?

Or is the tracker stashed somewhere where they'd never look?

GPS trackers do not affect the car, they transmit the GPS co-ordinates via the GSM network as frequently as they are programmed to do (eg every hour or every 10 minutes once its 10 miles from your home etc.

Some trackers, such as the one above, can disconnect the fuel pump/ignition upon receiving a text request from the owners phone.

spooky donkey

mustang68 wrote: »

I'm in west Dublin 15, but i'll not say any more then that!

Thanks for that info. Im in the same area my self and am concerned for my car. I had a feeling you were also witch was why I asked. I know of 2 Mustangs in the area and I had a feeling you were one of them.

Now im more paranoid. but thanks for the heads up all the same.

cian1500ww

That looks interesting, has anyone used that particular model before ?

Run_to_da_hills

mustang68 wrote: »

less then 100, ebay is your man. They just take a normal SIM and text you when you text it, or the alarm goes off or whatever, hiding it is the key and not advertising that you have one!!!

(No monthly fee, the text you get are GPS coordinates)

Sounds the business, would they fit a bike?

rotorhead

Looks interesting but this device http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/covert-portable-gps-jammer/ is also available from the same company

chiefwiggum

does an average(over 20 yr old) classic car have all the wiring needed to run one of these? and unless you get a super pro car thief rotorhead,i doubt that they would be that well equipped but worth highlighting all the same

cian1500ww

chiefwiggum wrote: »

does an average(over 20 yr old) classic car have all the wiring needed to run one of these? and unless you get a super pro car thief rotorhead,i doubt that they would be that well equipped but worth highlighting all the same

I think to get just the tracking going it would need a simple power source, I wouldn't be worried but the other features tbh. Is there an antenna needed with these ?

Carlos_Ray

mustang68 wrote: »

On sat night someone tried to take the Mustang, used a screwdriver to bend down the window, and pop the lock, alarm went off (I have a key fob that woke me up) and by the time I got to the window they were driving off.

The odd thing was they parked in a parking space in (I think)an Audi A3 and then headed off slowly when the alarm went off. I don't think they were master criminals. with my alarm there was no way that they would be leaving in my car.

Now I'm investing in a whole pile more of warning stickers/lights to tell people about the alarm, those morans seem to have missed my current ones.

That kind of thing really annoys me. The scum in this country just want to destroy everything thats good. A neighbour of mine had a classic mini smashed to pieces by thugs. I won't say what I'd like to do to them, all I'll say is that it would involve a field, a gun, and some bullets.

kasper

i was told that there is about 8 mercedes 123s stolen every week in london alone they end up on the africa contenent , my uncle in he sw of ireland his car they attempted to take his twice so it appears the scum are well orginised

DubMedic

mustang68 wrote: »

I'm in west Dublin 15, but i'll not say any more then that!

I think I know your car.

Passed it a couple of times before.. really well looked after.

I shall not mention where though

a_v525

DubMedic wrote: »

I think I know your car.

Passed it a couple of times before.. really well looked after.

Any chance you drive an A3

mustang68

and they were back again, really slow drive by, I was in the car and they headed off when they spotted me, missed the reg, 01 D something They can't take it driving now, so we'll see what happens next, just put more alarm lights on it for opportunistic thiefs.

DubMedic

a_v525 wrote: »

Any chance you drive an A3

Haha no I don't.