Hello everyone, I have a 1990 240DL that I've spent the last the 6 months and countless labor hours babying back to daly driver health. I had a 2000 Honda Civic that was stolen a few years ago and I was pissed, but more so when it was recovered stripped down. Honda guys installed a hidden on/off switch for the in tank fuel pump as a kill switch to prevent start or drive very far.

Are their any similiar tricks or tips for this type of hidden kill switch for bricks? I'd hate to get it stolen, I don't know the theft rate of old 240's in Texas and I dont want to add to the statistics.



Thanks everyone for all the tips and resources to keep this red brick running!
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1990 240DL red, 2004 V70 2.5t

One of the things I like about old Volvos is that nobody wants to steal them. They will look inside for any bling or loose items to steal, but probably not the car itself. That's why I still have the stock radio in mine, and nothing else.

You could install a blade battery kill switch on the negative terminal as a deterrent. I have them on all of my cars but not for anti-theft purposes...to make it easier to kill power when working on the car's electrics.

install/switch to a known bad fuel pump relay while parked... that'll keep em guessing
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'82 245 B21F-MPG-LH 1.0, '83 244 B21FT-K-Jet, '86 244 B23F-LH 2.0

Try to park your Volvo near one of the top ten stolen vehicles listed in this article:
http://www.rmiia.org/auto/auto_theft/statistics.asp

That should make in nearly invisible to car thieves unless they have a soft spot in their heart for elderly Volvos.

Randy

My friend lived for the past three years in one of the worst neighborhoods in Richmond VA - a city with very high crime rates. He parked his 245 on the street all that time and the only time anyone messed with his car was when his roommate stole his hubcaps as a joke.

If you install any kind of security system or kill switch in your car, it will only be for bragging rights. Nobody wants your car. They might break out the window and steal your stereo or other visible valuables, but the car is almost worthless to a thief.

If you have to do it, use a stock switch, like a seat heater, and hook it up to the start inhibitor circuit (NSS) or fuel pump relay. A car thief might look very carefully for a hidden kill switch, but how many are going to flip every switch on the dash to see what it does?

"...use a stock switch, like a seat heater..."

Cool. Hidden in plain sight.

I tried that with Valentine candy but Mrs. B found it two days ahead of schedule. She explained being one of six in her family, plain sight turned out to be the ONLY effective hiding place.

Bit of a corollary suggestion, from my long past experience. Make sure your wiring is up to automotive safety standards. The hack has to pass muster after you've long forgotten it exists. It needs to be physically secure.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Happy wife = happy life.

I suspect that the only person who'd end up stealing your car is another old Brick owner who needs parts. Just take a note of the other owners in your area. If the car is gone, then the perp shouldn't be too hard to track down.

Or, better yet, make sure your insurance is up-to-date and look at it this way--the thief obviously really needed a 25 year old car more than you did. The inner Buddhist in you should just let it go--and then go collect on the theft claim.

B

There is pretty much no demand for a 24 year old Volvo.

You may appreciate it but a car thief would have no interest in it.

They're all on the look out for Civics!
--
Paul NW Indiana '89 744 Turbo 175K/ '90 745 turbo 145K

Never leave anything visible in car or show off what's in the trunk such as tools, jumper cables, etc. Definitely don't install a fancy stereo or gadgets.

A kill switch or start preventing switch that's hidden is still a best bet IMHO. I would not wire it to the fuel pump that's too obvious. Some thieves will know your car's circuity as well as your mechanic. Maybe they work in a junk yard where they can study any car. Make something original and don't talk about it here or anywhere else.

A steering wheel lock bar is also a very good deterrent.

Unsure, but I have to think the theft rate is pretty low on 240's. Older Honda's and Toyota's are popular among thieves because there the simplest to steal.

For break-ins, the best idea is don't keep anything in your car. If you have a Wagon, tint in the rear window helps. I also moved my the stereo to the lower cubby hole area, this makes it less visible I think.

It's simple enough to make the car not run: Neutral safety switch, fuel pump relay, fuel pump fuse... Hell you could unplug the coil and take it in with you each night if your really worried about it.

--
1990 240 Wagon, 1984 Turbo Wagon, 1971 1800E Auto, 1971 1800E 4-Speed

I'd recommend a toggle switch under the dash that is in series with the hot primary wire to the ignition coil. That should be simple to install.

jorrell