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Auto Theft Prevention/instalalation

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Question
I have a 1998 chevy malibu I just bought a car alarm online but my car already has an anti theft system in it and I herd I can hook my new alarm threw it but I dont know where they hid the module tho and I don't want to tare my whole car apart do you know where I should look?

Answer
Hello Patrick,

Your Malibu came from the factory with the so-called anti-theft system. The system does not stop theft, nor after time is it even serve as a good deterrent.

The anti-theft system is known as PASSLOCK. Even new, very sloppy tollerances in a new ignition lock, much more when subjected to where by constant key insertions.

To be simplistic, the systenm is designed to start the engine by the vehicle's computer sensing the rotation of the ignition lock. After time, the ignition lock wers as does the key. Eventually, the key can be removed from the lock in any position and not just the lock position.

In these common situations, the engine can start with no key at all! A popsicle stick or another GM key or anything will now start the engine. Good anti-theft system huh??

This system was designed only for if the ignition lock was forcibly removed from the housing. Once the ignition lock was removed by force a magnetic field between the ignition lock and housing was broken, the vehicle's computer could not see the rotation of the ignition lock and would not start.

Basically, don't rely on the factory anti theft system in your 1998 Malibu. It's not much!

The problem this GM so-called anti theft system presents to the consumer though is that if insured with comprehensive coverage (fire & theft), your claim will most likely be denied and worse yet you could face criminal charges. Happens all the time!

Locksmiths under the cover of "Forensics" will examine these vehicles after they are recovered. Because of their ignorrance or incompitence with this system, they will write a report on the car stating it was last operated with aa key of the proper type.

I commonly successfully oppose these locksmiths when serving as an expert for the insured. As I stated, there does not have to be damage to the ignition lock to steal the car.


Now that you know the GM system isn't much and since you have an alarm, might as well install it properly.

You have not told me the features you have with this alarm. If you have starter disable, you will need to pull evenly on the dash plate. Once removed, there are 2 10 mm head bolts holding the ignition lock in the dash. Pull ignition assembly and harness so you can get to the back of the assembly. Use a test light on the purple wire first and see if it lights when lock is in START position. The start wire on these GM ignitions is usually purple, but can also be yellow.  Make a 4-wire harness. Once you find the right start wire, cut it. Connect one wire on each side of the cut and run down dash. (One on each side you cut). You will need to tie into a constant power at the ignition harness to go to alarm with another wire and send it down into the dash. I believe you will need a (hot only when ignition turned on) wire too. Tie in there and run that wire down the dash. Tape all 4 of your wires to the ignition wiring harness with electrical tape.

Reinstall lock assembly. Gently push the dash face back on.

Go under dash and remove hush panel (Black plasic that hides driver's lower dash. Should be 7mm or 9/32 head screws. Remove. At the firewall there will be either 2 10 mm head bolts or wing nuts. Remove and take hush panel out. Connect your starter disable wires to alarm module. If you have courtesy lights at the hush panel, hook to dome on alarm. If equipped with an ashtray light, that can be tied in to light flash.

You will need to run a seperate ground to a bolt on the dash brace or fire wall. Once you have done this and connected your wires to the alarm harness, plug harness into module. Take some wire ties and tie box to ignition harness under dash. That way it can't be easily ripped out by a thief.

Leading from the alarm yet will be your siren wires. You need to sneak them through the rubber boot at the firewll. The wires will be in the engine compartment. Mount siren. Connect. Attach you l.e.d. wires to alarm haarness. Install L.E.D. in dash.

Hook up the valet (On/Off) switch for alarm. Hide under front carpet at firewall.

Reinstall hush panel. Check alam. Shouldn't take over a couple hours to do a nice job.

Good luck!

Rob  

Auto Theft Prevention

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Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI

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My background in auto theft is extensive. I have been directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft recovered vehicles. I also do insurance investigation as to how a vehicle was last operated. My clients are insurance companies and attorneys. Was featured in the A & E auto theft documentary "Stealing Wheels" July 26, 2000. Has consulted with Daimler Chrysler steering column engineers to make their steering columns harder to defeat. Holds patent # 6,039,140 for 8 different variations to protect air bags from theft.

Experience

ROB PAINTER, ASE, CFL, CFEI Forensic Vehicle Component Analyst Diplomate, Board Certified Forensic Examiner ASE Certified Auto, Collision, Med/Hvy/Duty Truck Technician Certified Forensic Locksmith Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner Certified Auto Theft and Fraud Expert http://www.autotheftexpert.com Email-rpainter@wi.rr.com P.O. Box 190 Big Bend, WI 53103 Phone (414) 698-9696 Fax (262) 662-1352 As per federal court rules of evidence (702) (Daubert) my testimony has qualified me as: Auto Theft and Fraud Expert Forensic Vehicle Analyst Fire Origin and Cause Expert In the trial transcript of Holiday vs Progressive Insurance Company (March 12, 2002?Eugene, Oregon) with Holiday being my client-named ?the expert for experts.? BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder of the ?Forensic Institute of Auto Theft Analysis? (January 2002). This is the training school that will set the standards in determining the last operation of a reported stolen vehicle-burned or unburned. Much of my testing and procedures have been accepted as the guide for the forensic community. 1986 opened Auto Recovery Specialists Inc., providing exclusive repair of theft recovered and vandalized vehicles. The initial concept of the business was to return vehicles to their original shape before the theft, vandalism or fire. In 1987 bought the rights to the theft deterrent known as the ?Chicago Collar?. Duties include complete component replacement: dash, stereo system, interior, locks and coding, rebuilding steering columns, repairing and installing vehicle security system components (factory and after market), engine components, body repair, glass replacement, repair and service of air conditioning components, brake and suspension repair, and replacement, wiring harnesses etc. to return vehicle to pre-theft condition Complete reconstruction. During the past 17 years directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft-recovered and fire damaged Personally examined and rebuilt thousands of steering columns on both import and domestic vehicles Internationally acknowledged as expert in auto theft including court, consulting with insurance companies, attorneys and law enforcement. Consultant on steering columns, locks, stereo systems and vehicle security for Special Investigation Units for many large insurance carriers during the past eight years. Consulting services include but not limited to: How a vehicle was last operated (with or without keys in burned or unburned vehicles), Origin and Cause of vehicle fires, and vehicle defects. Provides services as a consultant and researcher to attorneys and insurance companies, and private industry throughout the US in cases related to vehicles. Has worked with crime prevention officers throughout the US establishing training programs designed to protect the public from becoming victims of auto theft. PATENT: 3/21/00 issued patent# 6,039,140 for 8 different variations of airbag anti-theft devices. PUBLICATIONS Currently authors articles and test reports on an ongoing basis for SIUs and the forensic/vehicle fire industry. Published author: (1,297 slide training course) Auto Theft/ Fraud Training Course) ?The Modern Forensic Approach to Auto Theft Investigation.? (January, 2001) Author: ?Variables to Be Considered In Vehicle Fire Investigation after Suppression.? (Insurance publication-November 2001) Author: ?Ford Magnesium Steering Columns and the Results to Ignition Components after a Fire?. Article for peer review from the fire and forensic community. (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM VATS.? (Article) (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM PASSLOCK TM? (Article) (November 2001) Author:? Auto Theft Investigation: Hollywood vs. Reality? (Article) (February 2001) For the John Cooke Fraud Report. Published author: (Manual) ?Forensic Vehicle Fire/ Arson and Auto Theft Investigation? (October 2000) Published author: (Article) ?Petty Claims? for the John Cooke Fraud Report (October, 1998) Published author (Manual) ?AUTO THEFT: LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN!? (1998) (Previously distributed by Barnes & Nobel) Co-authored the investigation manual, ?Surreptitious Entry & Auto Theft & Burn & the Investigator.? (1999) Authored test questions on the subject of steering columns and vehicle security for CFL designation to be given by the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths. January, 2000 Published author: (Manual) ?Saginaw Steering Columns-What Has Not Been Told? Training manual for fire investigators. (March 2000) Published (Article) ?Beyond The Lock? (May 2000) Published Author: (Article) Fraud Defense Network-August, 2000 Edition-?Melting Steering Column Tests.? http://www.fraudreport.com/index.cfm?month=08&year=2000 Published author: (Test Report) ?Burned Toyota Steering Column Testing to Determine How Last Operated?. Tool marks and procedures. (December 1999) Currently at the FBI Crime Lab in Washington DC and the US Army Crime Lab in Atlanta, GA for peer review. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Defeated the ?unstealable? Ford Securilock transponder system for a court case 10/10/00. They said it could not be done! Primary designer of a state of the art ?bait? car for a police department to catch car thieves. Worked with The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration and discovered a potential fire hazard on a vehicle and determined origin and cause of under hood fires on this type of vehicle. Featured as ?Auto Theft Expert? in the A & E auto theft documentary ?Stealing Wheels? that aired July 26, 2000. Contacted by Sears and Edelman Marketing to be a national spokesman for an anti theft device for vehicles. (November 1999) Invited to provide evaluation and consulting to steering column engineers at Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI (10/19/99-10/22/99). The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how steering column locking mechanisms could be defeated without the use of a key and how to reinforce the columns against theft. Court Qualified as an Auto Theft Expert and my videos of defeating columns were also accepted by a Cleveland, Ohio Court in October 1999 as a valid piece of evidence. Contacted by Disney Touchstone Pictures for technical assistance in making the movie ?Gone in 60 Seconds? (March 1999) CONSULTANT FOR FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ? Former contributor for The Insurance News Network (Auto theft and prevention) includes heading a forum for the public on how to protect their vehicles for 3+ years. ? Former editor and consultant for the public on matters involving auto theft and prevention 2000-2001 on the web at http://www.autotheft_forum.com. ? The Insurance Career Center (Auto theft and fraud). ? National Association of Investigative Specialists (Auto theft and fraud) ? Expert Find (Auto theft and fraud} TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ? ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Certified in Auto: brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, air conditioning. Med/Heavy duty truck: gasoline engine repair, electrical/electronic components. Collision: elec.....

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