Bound to happen sooner or later...

[beaky]

Not the first time some punk has tried to steal "Lil Bandit", but this time they did some serious damage. Trashed the ignition key cylinder, after getting in by trashing the driver's side door key cylinder (gosh, thanks for not breaking the window!). Very thankful that they didn't start snipping wires... 

My own fault, really... I usually have a Brake-Lok on the clutch pedal arm, and I believe it discourages them. It was off recently because I had to remove it without the key last week (was out on a service call and forgot I'd left my only key for it on my spare set of keys, so my buddy could use the car when he was visiting). I really like that lock better than the steering wheel Club-type, but I can tell you that with 30 minutes, a 3-foot pry bar, and a dream, you can get one off a pedal. You'll bend it a bit, but the car will be drivable.

What our little scumbag didn't realize was that since this "operation", there is something amiss with the kill switch associated with the clutch... they'd have been unable to start it without also bridging the solenoid terminals, LOL.

I just hadn't bothered using the brake lock again, even though it sort of works still... mostly because I figured that because of the kill switch, the car wouldn't get stolen. I forgot, of course, how much damage they might do trying to steal it.


Anyway, put the security lock back on (looks sound at a glance, FWIW) and also removed the battery.  That will complicate things for them, and they don't have a lot of time, being fairly exposed in that lot.

Fortunately, the parts are not very expensive, even the ignition switch itself (which I noticed was in bad shape anyway- thanks for revealing that, buddy!). Should have no problem installing that stuff, and now I have a good reason to try to solve the clutch-switch problem (I think the pedal arm is bent and isn't depressing that last tiny bit).

That can all wait until tomorrow... tonight I might decide to have a sit for a few hours in a shadowy corner of the parking lot, with my trusty golf putter handy...

[expat]

You can sleep with my wife, you can steal my money, but you never, ever mess with another man's wheels

Personally, for car thieves, I would favour capital punishment just after they have had their testicles removed with a pair of rusty pliers and a blowtorch

[Strategic Retreat]

My father had the great number of three cars stolen. A FIAT Uno after barely a week he bought it, and two FIAT Regata (he is a FIAT aficionado), so I understand your plight.

Lately, with the introduction of the transponder keys that lock the ignition, said merry scumbags need to steal a tow truck first and be in three at least... too easy to get caught with their fingers in the jam, so they're falling back removing the tires (when a key-locked bolt is not used to keep them from being removed by non authorized people) and/or trying to nick the radio, hoping it's an old non electronic self locking one and not an integrated, non removable one.

Surely a way to hotwire the cars can be found, but time is short for them, and the availability of the necessary hi-tech that could be used by a drug addict is in short supply (and too costly for someone who only wants to buy dope with his money). Poor BASTARDS.

[expat]

[color=#000000]My father had the great number of three cars stolen. A FIAT Uno after barely a week he bought it, and two FIAT Regata

Sorry, but he was done a real favour their

[Apex]

My friends laugh at me, an ex-girlfriend refused to ride with me (fine by me, you drive), but my car-theft paranoia gives me confidence that maybe this'll discourage them:

Club, Swat-R Lock, and two chains thru the wheel and locked onto the shifter.

[Strategic Retreat]

My father had the great number of three cars stolen. A FIAT Uno after barely a week he bought it, and two FIAT Regata

Sorry, but he was done a real favour their

[beaky]

Finally got the new cylinder and switch this morning, and installed them quickly... a rather simple operation, as fortunately I was able to eventually get the old key in what was left so I could turn the lock and release the old cylinder.
Naturally, the connecting block for the switch was in ruins, something I hadn't noticed. But with a little finessing, i was able to make sure all 11 crimps were seated on the new switch's pins.
Turned the key to ACCESS and... nothing. No dash lights, no fuel pump, nada.

FFFUUUUUUU....

[beaky]

[quote]My friends laugh at me, an ex-girlfriend refused to ride with me (fine by me, you drive), but my car-theft paranoia gives me confidence that maybe this'll discourage them:

Club, Swat-R Lock, and two chains thru the wheel and locked onto the shifter.