what is a kill switch??

asndragonboii · 05-27-2006, 03:48 PM

The salesperson said its so people cant hotwire my car... so i bought it.

but from this thread, Did i get a good deal on Sedan? , people dont seem to know what it is..... Did i get scammed? Is there even such a thing?

Tikolx333 · 05-27-2006, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asndragonboii

The salesperson said its so people cant hotwire my car... so i bought it.

but from this thread, Did i get a good deal on Sedan? , people dont seem to know what it is..... Did i get scammed? Is there even such a thing?

I am not sure what you payed the $300 for. Ask them to show what part they installed. Take a pic and post it here. Till then I guess dont stress it I payed 18800 for mine so you are fine.

skittleslegend · 05-27-2006, 04:28 PM

A kill switch closes the open circuit and brings the ignition to ground. Basically, it cuts off power by disrupting the electrical transfer. People use kill switches for lots of reasons. It'd work better on the non-Si's than the Si though. On the Si's it's an OVERkill switch...

asndragonboii · 05-27-2006, 04:29 PM

Found this on google

Quote:

Task force members say alarms are a good theft deterrent, but they also recommend you install a "kill switch" that disconnects the battery from the engine so thieves can't start your car.

mmm def · 05-27-2006, 05:03 PM

I put a kill switch in my 01 S4 -that car needed it- you could jam a screwdriver in the ignition and it would start.

You had to do 2 things simultaneously or it wouldn't start, very neat.

I think I paid $100 for it..stinks but I think they overcharged you a bit.

Better safe than sorry-enjoy!!

***GalaxyGreySi*** · 05-27-2006, 07:47 PM

I don't see what the point is... your car has immobilizer. All Newer hondas do. The only way to get that sucker to run is if someone stole one of your keys. Just copying a key using the VIN STILL wouldn't program the sucker to start the engine.... they could get inside, then when they tried to start it, it would just crank, and crank, and crank.... nothing. The only way I can see to steal a civic would be to tow it.

BlueSi · 05-27-2006, 09:11 PM

Well I woudln't say it is useless. People steal newer Hondas by bringing their own ECU/key pair. Swap ECUs then use their own key to hotwire the car. So with a kill switch it would just make it doubly hard to steal. But if the car is towed then no luck there.

***GalaxyGreySi*** · 05-27-2006, 09:46 PM

Swap ECU's? That sounds REALLY time consuming! Not to mention, the immobilizer unit ALSO has to match the ECU, doesn't it? So that means ripping apart the steering column as well, as far as I understand it... Haha, we are trying to figure out how to steal new hondas. we are cool.

jc21 · 05-27-2006, 11:00 PM

I agree with GalaxyGrey: I was almost certain what asndragonboii was explaining was basically exactly what the immobilizer is. Without the specific key you have, it cuts your engine out.

***letsgoflyers81*** · 05-29-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GalaxyGreySi

I don't see what the point is... your car has immobilizer. All Newer hondas do. The only way to get that sucker to run is if someone stole one of your keys. Just copying a key using the VIN STILL wouldn't program the sucker to start the engine.... they could get inside, then when they tried to start it, it would just crank, and crank, and crank.... nothing. The only way I can see to steal a civic would be to tow it.

Yup, the only way to steal a new Civic is to tow it away or steal your keys. If it didn't have an immobilizer then a kill switch would definitely provide added security. But considering what would be necessary to get around the immobilizer, no one would would try it without hauling the car away first so a kill switch is pretty pointless.

glassman · 05-29-2006, 11:52 AM

I thought it killed whomever was trying to steal the car

Actually, an obdII reader thingy, retail 7000, and a key, and on your way. I had to program some for some cars i was working on. All we did was pull the column, plug in a new ring, and program away. i would guess it would take too long for a thief to wanna do tho, and I wouldn't doubt there may be an easier way than that. I'm still curious on what the dealership installed on the car as a 'kill switch', any pics yet?

asndragonboii · 05-29-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glassman

I thought it killed whomever was trying to steal the car

Actually, an obdII reader thingy, retail 7000, and a key, and on your way. I had to program some for some cars i was working on. All we did was pull the column, plug in a new ring, and program away. i would guess it would take too long for a thief to wanna do tho, and I wouldn't doubt there may be an easier way than that. I'm still curious on what the dealership installed on the car as a 'kill switch', any pics yet?

I'll be picking up the car next week from the dealership.

When the salesman sold me the "kill switch" he said it was some computer program... not an actual object. I dont know.. i'll ask him when i pick the car up. I think i might have gotten ripped off.

MyFirstCivic@35 · 05-29-2006, 08:41 PM

I always thought the trigger on my shotgun was the kill switch. Thanks for setting me straight.

05-27-2006, 03:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
asndragonboii Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,832 iTrader: 0 / 0%	what is a kill switch?? The salesperson said its so people cant hotwire my car... so i bought it. but from this thread, Did i get a good deal on Sedan? , people dont seem to know what it is..... Did i get scammed? Is there even such a thing?

05-27-2006, 07:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
*GalaxyGreySi* 280whp, 219tq, GReddy FTW Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM Age: 24 Posts: 4,123 Phil iTrader: 1 / 100%	I don't see what the point is... your car has immobilizer. All Newer hondas do. The only way to get that sucker to run is if someone stole one of your keys. Just copying a key using the VIN STILL wouldn't program the sucker to start the engine.... they could get inside, then when they tried to start it, it would just crank, and crank, and crank.... nothing. The only way I can see to steal a civic would be to tow it. __________________ If you must whine about my Avatar, do it in this thread: http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35167

05-27-2006, 09:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
*GalaxyGreySi* 280whp, 219tq, GReddy FTW Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM Age: 24 Posts: 4,123 Phil iTrader: 1 / 100%	Swap ECU's? That sounds REALLY time consuming! Not to mention, the immobilizer unit ALSO has to match the ECU, doesn't it? So that means ripping apart the steering column as well, as far as I understand it... Haha, we are trying to figure out how to steal new hondas. we are cool. __________________ If you must whine about my Avatar, do it in this thread: http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35167

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05-27-2006, 04:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
skittleslegend Senior Member Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stowe, Vermont Age: 23 Posts: 7,833 iTrader: 1 / 100%	A kill switch closes the open circuit and brings the ignition to ground. Basically, it cuts off power by disrupting the electrical transfer. People use kill switches for lots of reasons. It'd work better on the non-Si's than the Si though. On the Si's it's an OVERkill switch...

05-27-2006, 05:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
mmm def Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NJ Age: 27 Posts: 642 iTrader: 1 / 100%	I put a kill switch in my 01 S4 -that car needed it- you could jam a screwdriver in the ignition and it would start. You had to do 2 things simultaneously or it wouldn't start, very neat. I think I paid $100 for it..stinks but I think they overcharged you a bit. Better safe than sorry-enjoy!!

05-27-2006, 09:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
BlueSi Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NOVA Posts: 161 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Well I woudln't say it is useless. People steal newer Hondas by bringing their own ECU/key pair. Swap ECUs then use their own key to hotwire the car. So with a kill switch it would just make it doubly hard to steal. But if the car is towed then no luck there.

05-27-2006, 11:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
jc21 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago/Lincoln Park Age: 23 Posts: 1,220 I Like Cheese iTrader: 2 / 100%	I agree with GalaxyGrey: I was almost certain what asndragonboii was explaining was basically exactly what the immobilizer is. Without the specific key you have, it cuts your engine out.

05-29-2006, 11:52 AM	#11 (permalink)
glassman Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 32 Posts: 74 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I thought it killed whomever was trying to steal the car Actually, an obdII reader thingy, retail 7000, and a key, and on your way. I had to program some for some cars i was working on. All we did was pull the column, plug in a new ring, and program away. i would guess it would take too long for a thief to wanna do tho, and I wouldn't doubt there may be an easier way than that. I'm still curious on what the dealership installed on the car as a 'kill switch', any pics yet?

05-29-2006, 08:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
MyFirstCivic@35 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spencerport, NY (just west of Rochester) Age: 38 Posts: 310 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I always thought the trigger on my shotgun was the kill switch. Thanks for setting me straight.