Break-ins due to window/lock exploit

Although an ECU can be had for as little as $75 for most models at a
wrecking yard; air bags are a bigger headache. The legality and
acceptability of used air bags is marginal at best, so they are popular
black market items. http://www.asashop.org/news/march99/nace.htm

Mike

 

I didn't have such a beep.

Its not a problem for me any more though, where i live now, i don't
bother to lock the car anyway (Wifes unclue doesn't even lock his
front door, and he was a cop here for 15 years). Radio station lists
all the arrests and charges here every morning, typically about 8
things listed, mainly speeding, or 'theft by taking'

 

Nothing I've ever heard of... certain Hondas are notoriously easy to
break into though, and tend to regularly top most insurance companies
most-stolen lists. The Insurance Corp. of BC lists The 1987-2000 and
2002 Civics as their #1 stolen vehicle, and 1986-97 Accords as #3
(behind 91-97, 99 and 2000 Dodge Caravans).

http://www.icbc.com/Crime-Fraud/PI213M%20(122004).pdf

 

Nothing I've ever heard of... certain Hondas are notoriously easy to
break into though, and tend to regularly top most insurance companies
most-stolen lists. The Insurance Corp. of BC lists The 1987-2000 and
2002 Civics as their #1 stolen vehicle, and 1986-97 Accords as #3
(behind 91-97, 99 and 2000 Dodge Caravans).

http://www.icbc.com/Crime-Fraud/PI213M%20(122004).pdf

 

What gets me is that after the first time or even the second time,this
person did not install any sort of burglar alarm that would go off if a
door was opened or window broken to gain access.

Granted,they ARE a PITA and an unwanted extra expense,but still of some use
in preventing this sort of auto burglary.

 

Hello,
Honda has made an effort to fix these problems in their newer vehicles. I
have a 1999 Accord EX. It has a special radio that won't work if it's
removed from the vehicle. It has a security alarm system. It also came
with a special key that has a computer chip under the plastic. The car
won't start unless the special key is used. I don't know whether it's
possible to "hot wire" the car. It's far superior to older Honda Accords
that did not have hardly any security special equipment.
Jason

 

I live in a large apartment complex, and my unit is on the back side of the
building from where all of the parking is. Therefore I have no hope of
hearing my alarm, also none of the other tenants would even turn an ear to a
car alarm. My Civic is a 96 with some body damage, spending 200 dollars
(plus install) on a good alarm system seems like a questionable investment
on a car I may own for less then a year.

WooHoo2You

 

(Jason) wrote in

That does not stop them from removing other parts like the ECU or
airbags,seats,or body trim pieces.
The ECU was stolen from my Integra GSR-before I bought an alarm.

 

The thieves do not know that.
Granted an alarm will not stop professional thieves or really determined
amateurs,but they still are a deterrent,something that makes them move on
to other,undefended targets.

One has to balance the cost of defense against the value of the item and
it's contents. If you discover your ECU or other major component
stolen(that may not be available anymore),then you may be getting another
car sooner than you think.

 

Great points. It's my guess that older cars that are less likely to have
alarms are broken into more so than newer cars that do have alarms and
other security measures built into them. I have stickers on each front
window clearly indicating that it has a security system. I purchased the
stickers at the Honda dealership. I noticed the same stickers on a new
Honda Accord and told the guy at the parts desk to order them for me. I
don't know why those same stickers were not on my car when I purchased it.

 

one way around an alarm is a piece of coat hangar straightened
and heated on one end. poke it through the battery and the alarm dies.
was a popular trick on the vette's years ago.
Chip

 

I read that a drill was used.A hot wire is not going to pierce a metal
fender,either.

Now,alarms also sound when battery voltage drops.Some even have backup
batteries.

 

And the South Africans have this:
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9812/11/flame.thrower.car/

I understand car thieves in South Africa are exploring other employment
opportunities. If only we were so civilized.

 

Tomb said
"- (if nothing is worth stealing in the car) - consider even leaving it
unlocked. That might sound radical but at least it saves you having to
replace another window.

- use an immobilizing device such as a club. Yes, those can be cracked as
well (literally...) but it takes more time. Not worth for hobby thieves, and
pros don't mess with crappy little Civics (no insult, I have one too "

I disagree. NEVER leave a Civic unlocked! I may be gettin off-topic here
(break-ins for valuables vs stealing cars). Civics are high target cars for
theives primarly for their parts, not the valuables left inside. My 1992
Civic si was recently stolen. A few days later it was found. It was missing
the rims and tires (originals, not fancy aftermarket wheels), steering
wheel, instrument cluster, rear speaker covers (the factory ones, hard to
find for a hatchback!), rear deck lid, pistons for holding the rear window
open, plastic rocker panels and the trim around the radio antenna. The
theives also took the time to exchange the hood, both doors, and the
tailgate for junky parts.
Needless to say, I barely recognized my car when I went to ID the body. Also
needless to say, it was wrote off by my insurance company.
The one thing that surprised me was that the theives left my Alpine in dash
CD player put. I had neglected to remove the face but they left that on the
floor. They did take the remote though. Also the speakers along with the
doors. They also missed my two amplifiers which were well hidden under the
dash on passenger side.
Pros do mess with crappy little Civics! Mine had 384000 kms on it and was
barely driveable since the clutch cylinders were needing replacing...Oh man
I could make this post twice as long to list everything that waas wrong with
that car. Lets just say there was mixed feelings when I saw it gone and
realized some complete moron had stolen it!

James

 

Tomb said
"- (if nothing is worth stealing in the car) - consider even leaving it
unlocked. That might sound radical but at least it saves you having to
replace another window.

- use an immobilizing device such as a club. Yes, those can be cracked as
well (literally...) but it takes more time. Not worth for hobby thieves, and
pros don't mess with crappy little Civics (no insult, I have one too "

I disagree. NEVER leave a Civic unlocked! I may be gettin off-topic here
(break-ins for valuables vs stealing cars). Civics are high target cars for
theives primarly for their parts, not the valuables left inside. My 1992
Civic si was recently stolen. A few days later it was found. It was missing
the rims and tires (originals, not fancy aftermarket wheels), steering
wheel, instrument cluster, rear speaker covers (the factory ones, hard to
find for a hatchback!), rear deck lid, pistons for holding the rear window
open, plastic rocker panels and the trim around the radio antenna. The
theives also took the time to exchange the hood, both doors, and the
tailgate for junky parts.
Needless to say, I barely recognized my car when I went to ID the body. Also
needless to say, it was wrote off by my insurance company.
The one thing that surprised me was that the theives left my Alpine in dash
CD player put. I had neglected to remove the face but they left that on the
floor. They did take the remote though. Also the speakers along with the
doors. They also missed my two amplifiers which were well hidden under the
dash on passenger side.
Pros do mess with crappy little Civics! Mine had 384000 kms on it and was
barely driveable since the clutch cylinders were needing replacing...Oh man
I could make this post twice as long to list everything that waas wrong with
that car. Lets just say there was mixed feelings when I saw it gone and
realized some complete moron had stolen it!

James

 

If possible, park your car in plane sight under a light with no nearby
hiding places and no nearby highways that are noisy. Thieves love to go to
the back of the apartment complex next to a noisy Interstate and get the
cars in the shadows under carports and next to dumpsters and those parked
where they can see who's coming from all directions. I would also get a
steering wheel lock.

 

If possible, park your car in plane sight under a light with no nearby
hiding places and no nearby highways that are noisy. Thieves love to go to
the back of the apartment complex next to a noisy Interstate and get the
cars in the shadows under carports and next to dumpsters and those parked
where they can see who's coming from all directions. I would also get a
steering wheel lock.