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Auto Theft Prevention/Ford Explorer snti theft issues?
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Question
I have a friend who's explorer decided not to start last week. I have since checked all the relays and fuses that I believe could hinder starting and all check out good. I bypassed the fuel pump by using a small electric pump and pulled fuel out of a can and fed it into the fuel filter, using your run of the mill 40 lb electric pump as a band-aid to see if it would start. It has spark.. it is now for sure "getting" fuel but still will not start. I have read many horror stories about the anti theft on some ford vehicles causing many issues. One thing I noticed when turning the key if I play with it it causes the doors to unlock and lock. wiggling the key can make this happen for some reason. ANy idea on how to kind of bypas the system or where should I start to try to ruel out the anti theft system? thanx.
Hello,
First of all, you will not be able to bypass this system the way you tried because the fuel pump injector pulse and the spark is disabled. You did not state as to what year this Explorer is because it makes a differences as to the type of bypass.
Ford always contended that their system was impossible to defeat. Locksmiths and mechanics said the same thing. I had a case against Ford in which in court, Ford's argument was: "Rob Painter is just a mechanic that repairs stolen cars and does not have the electronic knowledge that our engineer does."
Wow! This was a challenge towards me. I studied the schematics from a Ford Explorer and located a back door on the system. I tested my theory and it surprised me that those great engineers at Ford did not spot this. I don't design these systems. I don't look at these system like a dealer mechanic which in my opinion is a dumbed down lap dog that believes anything Ford tells them. I don't look at these cars as a locksmith, who has no clue as to how to understand schematics. I looked at these vehicles as a professional thief would. I think outside the box.
This is not bragging. It wasn't the other so-called experts in my field that had their reputation on the line. It was all on me. I defeated this junk on 10/10/2000. We made a video of my bypass for a California judge, showing just how simple it was to bypass the "unstealable" Ford Securilock. The process was very simple. It was just the hours and hours of time it took to figure it out. The collateral damage though is that the theft light in the dash would constantly blink very fast, and although hokey, one could put a piece of tape over the light to cover it up, keeping it from distracting the driver. If the bulb is burned out or removed for the theft light, the engine will no start.
I supplied my process to others in my field. They defeated the system using my bypass and had video made by Progressive and Farmers. My bypass worked on all Ford trucks and SUVs at the time.
What irritated me is that even today bastardized portions of this process are wrongly used on all cars for the insurance experts to determine how a reported stolen vehicle was last operated, I never received credit. As I say, no one in this industry ever gave me credit and as I said, it was my reputation on the line!
This process might work on newer than 2003. I made my point though. Ford and all the other manufacturers known nothing about preventing theft and these so-called anti-theft systems are not anti theft.
What kind of BMW or Mercedes do you want up to 2011 with the smart keys? LOL
The major problem with these anti-theft systems is that if the car is stolen, and since they are considered "unstealable" your claim will be denied because the experts they use commonly are locksmiths, they may be good about making keys and locks, but they in my opinion know next to nothing about how to steal a vehicle much less forensics. Some of these reported stolen vehicles are recovered totally burned. My question here is what is a locksmith doing offering opinions on a burned car as to how it was last operated?
Also keep in mind that if you can by pass the system, you need to install additional security. Something as simple as a hidden starter disable, because Ford steering columns are very easy to defeat. The ignition lock can be knocked out of it's brittle ignition lock housing in 20 seconds with a hammer and screwdriver. I have done it in that time, while on the phone with it between my shoulder and the side of my face. knocked the lock cylinder out and used a screwdriver to start the engine in place of the ignition lock. Just like a thief would do! The ignition lock was lying on the floor with no damage. The insurance expert locksmith would say there is no damage to the lock, and in the case of the anti-theft system, would only assume it was functioning at the time of the theft. A report would be written and the insured would be denied and placed on a secret fraud list.
It may seem I brag when I say, when opposing insurance companies against these all-knowing locksmiths that have made a determination as to how a vehicle was last operated, turning the insured's life upside down, why is it our side prevails in court cases 97% of the time?
As Mohammed Ali says "It ain't bragging if it's true!"
Although I have expounded greatly to your question, it gave me the opportunity to address these anti-theft systems. Please review our site for more details if you are interested as to what our company does.
Please respond with the year of your Explorer and I might be able to assist you. When trying to bypass these systems, one needs to understand that not only is the fuel pump shut off, but so is fuel delivery to the engine and spark as well.
I will be expecting you to supply the year of the Explorer and then you can respond to robo14@aol.com
http://www.autotheftexpert.com
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Answers by Expert:
Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI
Expertise
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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