Safe to splice the power wires going to a E-450 fuel pump?

The main reason for this theft deterrent is that the vehicle doesn't have a PATS system. So, it is pretty easy for a thief to break out the ignition lock. Anything is better than nothing in this case.

Here is what I'd use for a key switch:



I am going to look at something for the starter. That way, if I totally hose up the splice, the vehicle doesn't start, as opposed to the risk of it shutting down on the road.

wa8yxm wrote:
The answer is YES it is safe to splice the wires provided it is done properly.
It is ALWAYS safe to splice wires provided they are not "hot" (that is energized) when you splice them and do it properly.

Use a linesman type splice, not a rat tail and if the splice is exposed to weather use marine grade heat shrink (Get it at a marina) to seal the splice.

note many eo this some put it in the fuel pump lead, some in the starter lead.

If the wires being spliced are power wires I agree.

If they're network wires, CANBUS for example, splicing one of them might cause big problems, regardless of the quality of the splice work.

The answer is YES it is safe to splice the wires provided it is done properly.
It is ALWAYS safe to splice wires provided they are not "hot" (that is energized) when you splice them and do it properly.

Use a linesman type splice, not a rat tail and if the splice is exposed to weather use marine grade heat shrink (Get it at a marina) to seal the splice.

note many eo this some put it in the fuel pump lead, some in the starter lead.

If someone

really really

wants your car

they'll knock on your door, and you will be glad to wash the windshield so they and their cannon size bore magnum pistol will get out of your face.

Down here they'll come at night with a tow truck. Then drag the car up onto a Jerr Dan tilting flatbed tow truck. Quick action with a double pump aluminum jack and trolley wheels makes it all relatively quiet.

But there is a work around. I know the secret. Pfffftttt!

My car is so ugly they'd rather eat their gun than be caught stealing it. My dog poop and a rock wrapped birthday present box on the back seat is entertainment. I have to clutch the door handle when I return from shopping and find somehow they had managed to unlock the door when the window was rolled down a mere two inches for ventilation.

If he's afraid it's going to be stolen while in the driveway not being used 95% of the time, then just pull a tire off and then lower the axle onto a jack stand where a tire can't be slide back on.

Or move to a safer area.

Look in the fuse box and find the fuel pump relay. Remove it and you're not going anywhere soon. There will be an additional empty relay socket in the fuse box. To get sneaky, pry the cap off the relay and force it to fail then put the cap back on, or cut the powered signal spade terminal off. (or find an old failed relay) Then replace it in the fuse box. The vehicle won't run. Buy a new relay for use when you want to drive the vehicle and exchange the bad relay for the new one. Most thieves don't want to spend the time to diagnose your bad fuel pump relay issue and will move on when the vehicle wont start. But, . . . . the most determined people will figure this out given enough time, or, if they see you regularly switching relays. Try not to cut factory wires or add non-factory wiring/switches because experienced thieves will spot it right away.

Chum lee

What Mexicowanderer stated is why I don't like Ravelco or other third party ignition disable devices. A kill switch, if spliced in and soldered in right, with head-shrink tubing to ensure oxygen stays out, will add a low failure risk. However, it might be better to just pull the starter relay, so nothing that is running is affected.

I might go down that road. I have seen some modified starter relays that use remote controls like the Cyclops TAM. It won't stop a dedicated thief, but it will stop the tweaker who knows how to use a screwdriver in an ignition switch. Plus, it doesn't require cutting and splicing.

Removing the battery is an answer, but the person I offered to help with has back problems, so it isn't an option.

keep it simple, remove battery when not in use?

Battery knife sw