How to make a cheap car anti-theft device with your own hands

How to protect your car from theft within 5 minutes.

Every car owner is afraid, or at least worried, that his car may be stolen. It is for this reason that we spend a lot of money on its insurance and on various complexes of anti-theft systems. Unfortunately, even the most expensive alarm systems in the world do not provide 100% protection. So why buy an expensive security system if it is not 100% effective? Yes, you are right friends, this is really not logical.

In most cases, a regular, inexpensive electronic car alarm is suitable to protect your car from car thieves. Theoretically and in principle, it is clear that by installing an inexpensive security system on a car, you and I do not significantly reduce the safety of our car. But what to do then? How to increase the protection of the car in this case? Fortunately for us, friends, there is a simple and quite effective solution. Few motorists know about such protection, although each driver can make such an anti-theft device himself in a very short time, which will cost him very little.

So, in order to protect the car from theft, you need to install a faulty fuel pump relay on it in advance. To do this, you will have to find such a faulty fuel pump relay, for example, at a car scrapyard, or you can deliberately break the new relay, thus making it inoperative. You can also go to any car service center and ask the mechanics for this faulty relay.

If the fuel pump relay is currently not working well on your car, then this is the right time to buy a new relay, and the old one can be used to further protect your car from car thieves. The meaning of such protection is quite simple. When leaving the car in the parking lot, before leaving it, you need to remove (remove) the working fuel pump relay from the car and install in its place the faulty one, which you prepared in advance.

Thus, in the end, if attackers try to steal your car, they will face a significant problem, that is, your car simply will not start. The reason, friends, is that fuel will not flow into the car’s engine, and this is due to the fact that a broken relay will not allow the fuel pump to start. Accordingly, the spark will have nothing to ignite when starting the car (engine).

If you do not have a non-working fuel pump relay, then we will tell you and show you how you can independently make a fuel pump “anti-relay” from a working relay, which will be able to confuse attackers at least for some time.

TOP 10 systems for cars on the steering wheel, gearbox and hood

The list of the most popular lockouts, based on reviews written by automotive industry experts, includes the best mechanical lockers of 2022:

Manufacturer	Model description	Price, rub.
Garant	The “Garant” steering shaft lock is easy to use and highly resistant to burglary. The lock mechanism is protected from drilling by rotating discs. "Secret" allows you to create over 3 million unique combinations, which makes theft impossible by selecting keys. To dismantle such a blocker you need not only a mobile power tool, but also a certain skill in working in confined spaces.	7 500
Dragon	Dragon transmission locks require no body or transmission modifications and are discreet in the interior. The developers of this company focused on an individual approach. For each machine model, a unique set of security measures is developed, including blocking of various control elements. Thanks to this approach, it was possible to achieve 100% compatibility with all passenger cars and high aesthetic appeal of the products.	2 500
Sentry Gremlin	The universal gearbox lock Sentry Gremlin is compatible with any type of car and is designed for hidden installation. The main feature of the device is the presence of an additional reinforced pin, which improves the strength characteristics of the blocker. The power bushing is resistant to mechanical bending. A combination lock with three keys included has 4 million combinations.	1 800
Mul-T-Lock	Mul-T-Lock transmission locks, equipped with standard fasteners, are easily fixed to standard elements of the gearbox design. A distinctive feature of Mul-T-Lock locks is the telescopic pin system. If you try to open such a secret with a master key, the result is guaranteed to be negative. The locks are not only structurally complex, but also able to withstand the effects of acids; they cannot be destroyed by chemical methods or drilled.	1 800
Protection Systems	The Intercept-Universal steering shaft lock is distinguished by an original key, which is made in the form of a ring with a complex system of grooves. The lock is abrasion resistant and does not require lubrication. The manufacturer provides a guarantee of 5 years of trouble-free operation. The list of compatible vehicles includes 200 car models and is constantly updated.	7 300
Protection Systems	The Python steering wheel lock is made of durable steel with alloying additives that make it resistant to corrosion. The original design of the key eliminates the possibility of hacking using standard master keys. An additional advantage is the decorative leather upholstery.	7 000
Guarantee	The Garant Bastion steering shaft lock is mounted in place of the standard ignition system lock. The mechanism is made of chemical-resistant steel that has undergone heat treatment. The locking is carried out using a steel bolt, which fits into the groove of the steering shaft. The supplied lock secret is designed for 360 million different combinations.	6 900
Megalock	The Megalock Universal hood lock is made of hardened steel, resistant to drilling. A distinctive feature of the device is the original locking mechanism made in the form of a sphere and a hook. This design eliminates jamming in the event of an accident. If the cable is cut, the pin remains locked.	4 500
Dragon	The Dragon mechanical lock locks the standard hood lock in a locked state after the driver presses a special button. The device can also be mounted in a chain, in a break in the cable that controls the bolt. Armored elements do not require lubrication and operate stably at low temperatures.	6 500
Construct	The Construct blocker limits burglar access to the space under the hood. The valve is mounted on the car body. Locking is carried out by pressing the cylindrical element of the lock. In addition to the keys, the package includes a code card.	7 800

Video “Is it possible to open a mechanical hood lock?”

The channel "AUTOSECURITY - Anti-theft Studio" conducted an experiment on hacking an anti-theft lock, the results are presented in the video.

Do you have any questions? Specialists and readers of the AUTODVIG website will help you ask a question

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Option #2. Improved anti-theft on reed switch

It is for this reason that a slightly improved anti-theft device circuit is proposed here. In order not to depend on the reliability of fastening of the magnet controlling the reed switch, it is enough to add just one component to the circuit. It's called a thyristor.

A thyristor is also a kind of on/off switch. Only, unlike a reed switch and a relay, it is not mechanical, but electronic. It has three outputs - two power and one control. When no electric current is supplied to the control terminal, the thyristor is closed, that is, it does not pass current through the power contacts. If a small current is briefly applied to the control terminal, the thyristor will open, allowing a large current to flow through the power terminals. To close the thyristor back, it is enough to stop the flow of current through it.

Thyristors are also sold in a large assortment in a radio store. When selecting it, you need to focus on the maximum current for which it is designed. For example, a common thyristor marked KU201A or similar is suitable. The control output in these parts, as a rule, is noticeably thinner than the power ones.

The anti-theft circuit, improved using a thyristor, now looks like this.

Let's look at how it works now. Initially, if the magnet is not brought close to the reed switch, it is open. Accordingly, the control signal is not supplied to the thyristor, and it is also in an “open” state (it would be more correct to say that the thyristor is closed). The relay does not work when the ignition key is turned, and the unit connected through it will also not work (there is no gasoline or spark - the engine will not start).

If you bring a magnet to the reed switch, the control signal will go to the corresponding output of the thyristor. It will open and begin to pass the current necessary to operate our relay. The power contacts of the latter will close, and power will go to the ignition coil or fuel pump. The engine can be started.

The advantage of this circuit is that the thyristor will remain open even after the magnet is removed from the reed switch. As a result, the reed switch will open, but the on state of the thyristor will remain. And it will pass electric current through itself to power the relay until the ignition is turned off. If this is done, the current through the relay and thyristor will stop flowing, and the latter will automatically open the contacts or, as they say, close.

That is, to implement such anti-theft in a car, you just need to securely hide the reed switch under the trim. To start the engine, you will need to briefly apply a magnet to the reed switch, after which it can be removed. As a result, the circuit will work flawlessly and will not fail due to vibrations, as is the case with the first option without a thyristor.

Using blockers

ATTENTION!
A completely simple way to reduce fuel consumption has been found! Don't believe me? An auto mechanic with 15 years of experience also didn’t believe it until he tried it. And now he saves 35,000 rubles a year on gasoline! Read more" Every motorist knows that his car has important pedals that they constantly use. While driving, you cannot do without mechanisms such as gas and brakes, but sometimes they are the ones that contribute to the quick and unimpeded possibility of vehicle theft. Unfortunately, a standard security system cannot immobilize these important vehicle systems, but to carry out this process, special locks are always used, which are inexpensive. The productivity and high performance of these systems have been tested by experience and time, which further confirms their reliability. Pedal locks are especially popular, although there are many other options besides them. It is these simple locking systems that we will now discuss.

Photo gallery

Photos of homemade blockers are presented in this section.

Scheme for the manufacture of mechanical anti-theft

Basic elements for creating a homemade castle

Homemade clutch pedal movement blocker

Which to choose

When choosing a blocker, you should be guided by the following considerations:

before purchasing, you should study the design of the car to understand which device will be more convenient and reliable in operation;
the body must be made of high-quality material;
in the design it is recommended to use a lock cylinder from well-known manufacturers;
the connection of parts should not wobble;
the product must have a warranty period and the possibility of maintenance;
There should be a workshop where you can contact in case of jamming.

The final choice remains with the car owner.

Pedal lock

The performance of modern security systems is at the highest level, especially when it comes to satellite alarms and anti-theft systems. But despite this, the protection of the car will not be complete if it only has a standard alarm system. The more locks a motorist installs on his vehicle, the higher the likelihood of preventing a theft attempt. But not all security systems have the ability to work productively in combination, but simple interlocks work with absolutely all security systems. Pedal locks are popular and it is their qualities that are worth talking about now.

How to make a mechanical anti-theft device with your own hands?

The simplest gas or clutch pedal lock can be made with your own hands, using a factory mechanical protection device as a basis.

Pedal locking device

For this you will need:

steel plate 400x60x6 mm;
padlock with straight shackle;
bench vice;
drilling machine or powerful drill;
file;
hammer.

You can take a plate wider than 60 mm. It is more difficult to bend, but the reliability of the device will be higher.

Brief instructions for making a homemade mechanical interlock:

Bend 20 mm pieces on each side of the plate at an angle of 90 degrees. To do this, you need to clamp it in a vice and use a hammer.
Bend the strip in half, leaving a gap between the halves equal to the thickness of the gas pedal lever.
Drill a hole in the desired location with a diameter that matches the lock shackle.
Remove burrs with a file.

Universal factory devices have excess clearance, due to which they do not fit tightly enough to the pedal. This is done for compatibility with any cars. By ensuring a minimum gap between the bent plate and the pedal lever, a homemade lock will work better than its industrial counterpart.

Correctly installed pedal lock

Review of popular anti-theft agents

Among the most popular locks are the following models:

Steel Dog;
Solex;
Block Lock.

Steel Dog

Main features of this device:

The design of the bollard is based on spring steel, the thickness of the parts is at least 5 mm;
due to the lateral location of the device cylinder, drilling it is almost impossible, as is opening it using master keys;
The locking pin of the blocker is made of hardened steel and is a movable device, making it impossible to saw.

Locking device Steel Dog

Solex

Solex locking devices are manufactured at Thai and Chinese factories. You can use locks for car pedals or transmissions.

This model has the following features:

the device is equipped with a disk lock, which is controlled by a key, the number of working combinations is about 1,000,000;
the lock product is installed in a special lever, which simplifies its installation and increases the complexity of removal;
the design of the device uses parts made of stainless steel, which ensures maximum structural strength;
the lock product is equipped with special adjustment inserts that allow the lock to be used in any car model;
The package includes 4 keys.

Solex lock kit

Block Lock

The lock manufacturer specializes only in mechanical anti-theft products. A distinctive feature of Block Lock products is that they are installed in the dashboard of the car.

Main characteristics of the devices:

cylinders of Swiss-made KABA locking products are used;
The device is installed on standard fixing points;
the use of Block Locks will not spoil the aesthetics of the car interior;
to operate the lock, you just need to turn the key in the lock;
the design of the device includes a reinforced crossbar;
the complexity of the installation scheme makes it difficult to remove the product;
the ability to install a security device on any car model due to the versatility of the product.

Block Lock Device

Useful tips

All self-made anti-theft devices work effectively only as an addition to a security alarm. Mechanical devices will help protect the car from non-professionals, as well as show them that the car is well protected from unauthorized opening. Mechanical anti-theft devices will not stop experienced car thieves.

Hello everyone, I have a Ford Focus2, I want to make a simple homemade anti-theft device, which, if God forbid, someone sets their sights on my car, can at least confuse them a little and possibly scare them away. Post your options here or in a private message. Thanks in advance everyone!

Dismantling principle

Removing the blocker from the car is carried out in the reverse order. When removing electromechanical devices and Block Lock devices, there may be holes left on parts of the instrument panel into which keyholes would go. These holes can be closed with suitable plugs or the parts can be replaced with new ones.

After dismantling the blocking valve, you will need to replace the cut brake pipe with a new one and bleed the hydraulic drive system.