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Auto Theft Prevention/Unstealable 2008 Dodge truck

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Expert: - 7/16/2009


Question
I couldn't do anymore follow-up questions, so I had to ask a new one.  The truck was being repaired at a Dodge dealership.  If the transponder could have been turned off, is there any way to check if it is still turned off?  What did you mean by "unless the answer is there was nothing to bypass"?  Is there a "bypass" that could have been removed from the ignition?  Is there any way to tell if the "bypass" is still not there?

Answer
Hello,

I don't understand the context of your quote. I answer so many questions that I do not know what this was in reference to.

As for your SKIM transponder system, I was not aware that it could be turned off. For many years Ford transponders could be turned off with factory equipment for squads, rentals and other situations.

The reason I am so sarcastic about the factory anti-theft systems is because they do not stop theft!

There is not a vehicle made that can't be towed or pushed. 99% of all vehicles can have duplicate keys made and if a thief knows how to bypass one make, he can use the same process on all models made from the manufacturer.

The biggest problem is the engineers who design these so called "unstealable" vehicles rarely have a clue as to how vehicles are stolen. Many think these vehicles are still hot wired, but in reality, hot wiring was not done since 1969. The manufacturer may hire convicted thieves to learn about theft methods. The problem is that they were not very good because they got caught.

All too commonly thieves are generalized in the catagory that the vehicle is going to be chopped for parts. Vehicles are stolen for as many reasons as there are thieves and it all depends on the thief's motivation and experience.

I have demonstrated many times in court that there is nothing out there I could not take and it may sound arrogant, but the truth of the matter is that I would never be caught.

Legally, I used to chop up Suburbans and cars into bite size pieces and through little of pieces of frame and body out with the garbage. I ended up at one time having over a hundred titles of cars that no longer existed. As I say, this was done by legal means, but proves my point.

Not one cop or police agency ever questioned our business. In fact, many cops hung out there and even would hand me wrenches when I needed them. Our business worked only on recovered stolen vehicles and at any given time had about 25 recovered cars in our building.

The reason we were never considered professional thieves was because we had a big sign and were located on a busy street. If we were thieves it would be hiding in plain site.

The insurance companies commonly look at vehicles such as your truck "unstealable" and almost 100% deny a theft claim. If your vehicle was stolen and they honored the claim, breathe a sigh of relief. Very rare!!

In fact, I am involved in a case right now involving a 2006 reported stolen Dodge Ram that has not been recovered for 2 years and yet the insurance company denied that claim.

As for turning your system on or off (if it can be done) it can onky be through the Chrysler scanner at the dealership. It can also be determined if the system is functioning.

The way the SKIM transponder works is that if someone forced the ignition, it could be put in the on position, but not start without seeing the programmed key that coincides with the computer. This system does not prevent movement of the vehicle.

The transmission gear selector can be locked in park, but to disconnect the transmission shift linkage takes seconds and the transmission can be taken out of park.

There are so many varibles as to the method used to steal a specific vehicle that they have to be handled case by case.

I went into a lot of detail here in order for you to understand that the consumer has been misguided intentionally by the manufacturer. I could be blunt and say that all these vehicle manufacturers have lied to us by over rating the effectiveness of their anti-theft systems.

If this stuff actually worked, the manufacturer would warranty theft claims, but they don't. In reality, they want your vehicle stolen so they can sell you a new vehicle.

10 years from now if you still have this truck, you may end up with a boat anchor because parts for the anti-theft system will no longer be available and you may have no way of getting the engine running.

This is happening now with people that have cars 10 or 15 years old. Not only can they not get parts, but no one has kept the software or manuals for those old vehicles.

If you have other questions about your "unstealable" vehicle, please feel free to write me at robo14@aol.com
http://www.autotheftexpert.com

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.

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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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