73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Electrical => Topic started by: philo_beddoe on October 31, 2015, 07:24:07 PM
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I would like to install a basic on/off toggle switch, so you cant start the vehicle unless the switch is in the "on" position, to prevent theft. Where should i tie the switch into? Connect it to what/where?? There will probably be two wires coming off the switch.
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The small wire going to starter solenoid, that would be best, unless it's a manual tranny, then best would be to the power wire for the distributor.
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I can bypass the startup wire interrupt with a screwdriver. So can a thief.
The best wire to interrupt would be the power off the junction block on the firewall or the main 12ga circuit 2 power wire at the starter BAT terminal. Even if they can start the engine with a wire to the HEI and a screwdriver in the starter terminals the cops will notice no taillights.
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I'm really only interested in the quick thief that jams a screwdriver in the ignition. When i go on vacation, i unhook the battery. No one in my area is going to go beyond the ignition. I just would like to add one more level of protection.
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If you have a electric fuel pump like i do you can hook up a switch to the power wire.
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Ignition control module is the easiest place to tee into the system.
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Where is that module located?
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Somewhat off-topic, but what is the state of auto theft these days? I remember back in the late '80s, you couldn't park a car outdoors without it disappearing overnight. If by some miracle the car was still there in the morning, the hubcaps and emblems would have been jacked. Nobody ever bothers my cars because they aren't worth stealing so I don't know how bad it is anymore. Is car theft still a real problem these days?
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Have you bought any NOS parts off of CL Dr Snooze? They are expensive and so is the used stuff if it is in good condition. So it's not like these trucks aren't worth anything. Check them out on Ebay.
As far as auto theft goes I have came across a couple of CL posts in different cities where rewards are offered for info leading to the return of some of these trucks. I have seen at least 3 ads IIRC. One truck was stolen on a Saturday from WM parking lot. The kid was inside working 2 - 10. When he came out it was gone. I think this was in Tennessee. Another lifted truck was stolen from the parking lot behind the owner's business in Texas.
In the old days the thieves just used a coat hanger or slim jim, a slide puller and a screwdriver. Those days are long gone, I hear now the pros are using tow trucks. As far as it being a real problem, well it would be if you were the owner of said stolen truck I bet.
I am going to put a locking collar around the column, a cut off switch and probably wire up a extra smart phone -with navigation enabled hidden under the dash. They can steal it but they aren't going to keep it if I can help it.
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I still think the hottest car is the totota camary. But classics are the target of a different kind of folk. Classics are rare, and the doors and ignition system is so basic its not funny. Generally they are in a hurry, and if it dont start right away, they wont sit there and diagnose the problem. Without that power to the starter, it just aint gonna start. As far as tow trucks, they only use those for cars that are worth it. A 77 c-10 is very low on the list. However, some jerk off trash hillbilly who likes old trucks and drives by your house often, might try to boost it.
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Have you bought any NOS parts off of CL Dr Snooze? They are expensive and so is the used stuff if it is in good condition. So it's not like these trucks aren't worth anything.
Honestly, it never occurred to me to look there for parts. I wasn't saying these trucks aren't worth anything. It's just my trucks, such as they are, that aren't worth stealing.
I lived in Fresno during the car theft epidemic of the late '80s. It was the top car theft city in the nation at the time and the subject was on a lot of lips. I drove an old beater (alas, nothing's changed) and never had any trouble. I parked in the most amazing places, at downtown night clubs after dark, Iron Maiden concerts where the car 3 spaces down was broken into by a drunk after a beer cooler in the back seat, etc. It taught me that theft isn't a problem if you have nothing worth stealing. Since then, car theft doesn't seem to be as big a deal, so I wasn't sure.
Edit: I take that back. Someone stole a sticker off my back window once.
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If it is an automatic I would hide a toggle to the neutral safety switch. Open that connection and if they pop the ignition it still won't start because that switch isn't made up. Won't keep the professionals away but the joyriders may be deterred.
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Ok, where is that switch located? Is it easy to tie into?
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My 82 was a factory manual trans and I got it as a roller when I was 17 as my first truck. We put a 350 and auto th350 in it and I had to put a switch on the dash so when I turn the key I can press it to connect the neutral safety switch. If I remember correctly it's a 2 wire connector and it's purple and yellow. On mine it's pretty obvious to see but at night I guess it helps deter thieves. It should be on the drivers side connected to a switch on the clutch if it's a stick. If it's an auto I imagine it's around the same location just connected in the harness instead of a connector. I'll see if I can upload a pic of the end of the connector I cut off if I can find it .
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Here it is if I can get it to upload.
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I just got a basic on/off toggle switch. I was thinking of using the wire from starter solonoid. I have an auto trans. If that starter dont engage, she aint starting!! Only way to steal is to tow.
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Where does that starter solonoid red wire begin? (it ends at the starter)
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Will this work as a cut off toggle switch. .79 cents.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/10/ba618d93f3bb4749200305ea2a749b36.jpg)
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I highly recommend using automotive grade parts for autos and not home electrical parts. There's a reason they are to different industries with different standards.
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All the switch does is complete the connection. But okay, i'll get a regular toggle switch.
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Oh, BTW, can someone tell me where under the dash is the started solenoid wire, or is it even there, or should I just follow it up from the starter to splice into. I don't want to make the connection on the outside, obviously because I have to get at the toggle switch.
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A fuel lock off valve could also work for what you're trying.
Place in the fuel line somewhere, on my propane setup it's between the gasoline fuel pump and carburetor. The valve is normally biased closed unless 12v is applied; operation can be with a toggle switch. On a pure gasoline setup, the truck might get started but will only go as far as the fuel in the carburetor bowl will allow.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MI7gHVPo9vs/T4iRBHY_6SI/AAAAAAAAAbI/SW1Xn1c9arg/s400-Ic42/DSC01900.JPG)
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Good idea, but i dont even want them to leave the driveway! Where does that red starter solonoid wire lead to?
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my mom is in a wheel chair and she has a lift inside of her van, this lift has a wireless remote to control it. for some reason the battery kept dying. i tested the resting draw on all the circuits the only thing i found was too high was the lift so i pulled the fuse for the lift and the battery would stay charged. the people who put the lift in said the lift isnt the problem and she has another problem evn though we know with it unplugged the batter will stay charged. so cause they are ignorant i rigged up a light switch much like you posted and placed in inline with the 5 amp fuse that was in the circuit. the main thing when using something like that is you have to think of the amps that will be used, yeah its rated at 120 volts but the amps are usually around 10-15. so if you find a circuit that only draws 15 amps or less (depending on the switch amp rating) then a A/C light switch will work just fine. a switch is still a switch regardless of A/C or D/C, motors or relays are a different story.
Now getting back to your ride you might find it easier to tap into the 12v red wire on the distributor so this way they can try to start it and you could hear the engine try but not start. or you can wire up a SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) switch. this type of switch will have a toggle switch that has 2 positions.(L1) would be to the starter (L2) would be to the horn. then you have your (COM) as the power wire from the switch. so as soon as someone turns the key on or to start your horn will start going off. this will prob scare anyone and they will take off running. i think i like this ideal myself lol
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVQGCkUkSWsEOpp-FLOHCxYwvIVnpkTugoOAkFl5gSoo6CWaWONvJmptA)
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Great feedback! I believe i will go with the dist. wire and a basic single pole toggle. On/Off, and will easily slip through the firewall to hide under dash. Thanks.
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Now getting back to your ride you might find it easier to tap into the 12v red wire on the distributor so this way they can try to start it and you could hear the engine try but not start. or you can wire up a SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) switch. this type of switch will have a toggle switch that has 2 positions.(L1) would be to the starter (L2) would be to the horn. then you have your (COM) as the power wire from the switch. so as soon as someone turns the key on or to start your horn will start going off. this will prob scare anyone and they will take off running. i think i like this ideal myself lol
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVQGCkUkSWsEOpp-FLOHCxYwvIVnpkTugoOAkFl5gSoo6CWaWONvJmptA)
The horn thing is very effective. I still remember using a cheap motion detector light from Walmart, one of the old horns off the truck and an small invertor from an old battery charger in my back yard. Most people and animals expect the light but never the horn. Actually it worked so well that I never had to remove anymore pesky bird nest from the porch or shed. My Pit wouldn't even go out side for the first week it scared her so bad!
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I would love a horn to go off if anyone is ever creeping around out there. The deer wont like it, haha.
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Best cheap as security trick I ever did...nonlethal that is. My new neighborhood wouldn't take to kindly to it but neither did the condo association back in Va.
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It looks like military housing your in...
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On I was when you picked up the tire carrier but last Friday I drove down to southeast Georgia in that big blue thing with 2200lbs of cargo tagging along in the bed and front seat. Now I in a hotel with the wife four kids and the dog waiting to close on our house. The hotel people surely wouldn't appreciate it and our soon to be new neighborhood is a lot more up scale thank housing or the hotel, so I'm sure they would have a lot of meetings about me. Probably start a HOA just to formally have meetings.
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they call it HOA we call it an intervention about your truck problems. we had someone on here that his HOA didnt like his truck so they tried to make new rules about how "if it was too big to fit in the garage then it cant be in the development"
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here it is
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=27070.msg240598#msg240598
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I specifically made sure that the new community didn't have an HOA!!! In condo association apparently had a lot of meetings about me and the things I did at the condo we rented but nothing ever came of it bc I was the resident Mechanic so it seemed as though a select few would get together and gossip and try to make rules to stop me and they would get snuffed out. Military housing is completely different and their rules are ridiculous. I never got fined bc for some reason they were scared of me so instead they would fine the person that owned the vehicle in my driveway as I worked on it! Go figure either way I will fight any for 9f an HOA howerev I will do allmi can to own up to the covenants and restrictions for my community because I want my property value to stay or raise like any other sensible family man.
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So your done in kittery? All moved out?
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So your done in kittery? All moved out?
Yes by the grace of God! This is kinda like home down here for the wifey and I even though we are originally from west Tennessee a little above Memphis. I have no desire to go back there whatsoever no offense to the new Englander's here but yal can keep it all to yourself. 3 days of what you call summer isn't enough for me.
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My kids are going to be blown away when the temps hit below 32 here and they cancel of delay school after riding on ice packed roades for 4 months just to play in 6ft of snow at school before it starts.
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Where in GA? I been to southeast a few times and savannah. I'm envious, your in a red state! The bible belt! Amen.
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Being a submariner I'm in Kings Bay. Buying my house in Kingsland though. We actually found us a church today and it seems to be the place we are called to be. Things are defiantly looking up! We are 100 miles south of savanah and 2 minuets from the Florida state line. By God's grace we will never get relocated again no matter how long I stay in.
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Wow, i had to attend training twice at FLETC in Brunswick. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Hated it, toooooo hot!!
And glad you found a good church, no better place to be than in the center of God's will.
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Yup yup... Can I get a Amen
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Amen Brotha! Thank you for your service to our great country! Hopefully you get all settled in soon.
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Amen Brotha! Thank you for your service to our great country! Hopefully you get all settled in soon.
Thank you all I really want is to get out of this hotel and a garage to go finish the 6.0L swap.
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Ok back to the cut off toggle switch, which one is the ignition wire, to tie in my on/off toggle switch.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/ad7c5870115c1cb4be5059e86a46ebfb.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/f4154aa6e08e721f02e1e135eeace970.jpg)
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Should be the 12ga purple wire. If you look at the wiring diagram for 1977 Chevy in Tue tech pages,
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=30115.0 , you will see that the solenoid power to the starter is just that. Trace the line in the large diagram at the top of the PDF to make sure but that should be it.
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Ok, so i can tie into that with my on/off toggle switch?
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I can bypass the startup wire interrupt with a screwdriver. So can a thief.
The best wire to interrupt would be the power off the junction block on the firewall or the main 12ga circuit 2 power wire at the starter BAT terminal. Even if they can start the engine with a wire to the HEI and a screwdriver in the starter terminals the cops will notice no taillights.
The best way to stop a thief is to think like a thief.
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In the midst of stealing, most thievs are nervous and in a hurry, if the vehicle dont start right away, they are outta there! Sometimes even the e-brake will stop a thief. If i were a thief and the vehicle did not start at the turn of the key, i would not lift the hood and start troubleshooting.
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unless they know youre out of town and they have all the time they need.
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Good point, helps to have watchful neighbors. My cut-off toggle switch idea is just an added layer of protection. Besides, if i am out of town overnight on travel, i unhook the battery. Thats ez to spot, but the toggle will be hidden.
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Should be the 12ga purple wire. If you look at the wiring diagram for 1977 Chevy in Tue tech pages,
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=30115.0 , you will see that the solenoid power to the starter is just that. Trace the line in the large diagram at the top of the PDF to make sure but that should be it.
Ok, so if i cut that purple wire the truck wont turn over, right? Somebody tell me before i wreck something. I always get into trouble when i dont know what im doing. Electrical is not my forte'.
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Thats the larger purple wire of the 2 pics right? According to the diagram..
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11766.0
Thats it, i'm cuttin!!! Oh your an angry elf....
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Yes that should be the right one... either way a little heat shrink and solder will fix it back good as new..
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Ok i havnt cut yet, but wire strippers and a nut will put it right back too. (I feel like im difusing a bomb detonator)
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So did you pull the trigger?
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Oh, not yet. Ya know it's the little jobs we sometimes procrastinate with. Actually i had a mouse problem. But that problem has been "eliminated". Now back to the purple wire. Just need a sunny day above 40.
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Ha good luck with that... Your dirty weather has floated it's way down here it may get just below freezing tonight..
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Yeah froto, your no stranger to maine winters! -5 tonight!!
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Update,,,i cut the big purple wire under there. Turned the key and nothing. Installed on/off toggle switch, fired right up. Just one more level of anti-theft.
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WOW! You get to things as fast as I do! Glad it worked!
I heard a man joke the other day from my wife, she said husbands never forget to do a job they wanted to do, they just need reminded every six months. That's me. 8)
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Lol!!! Ya i think my last post on this job was in Dec. and it took less than 10 min. Idk why we put off some jobs and others we cant get them done fast enough.