Duramax Theft protection

sneaks · June 9, 2003

My last truck, a D****, had an elegant and simple security system installed. The cigarette lighter was wired in series with something critical in the starting sequence, so to get the truck to start and run one had to leave the lighter pushed in. When parked in a less than secure area I'd just pocket the lighter and go about my business.

Now I have a 2001 D/A 2500HD beauty and would like to get a similar system installed. Seems simple enough, preferably a critical relay wired through the present lighter? Has to be low current device or the lighter will simply warm up and pop out.

Where would I go to get something like this done? Dealer? Some alarm installation nerd? I'd even attempt it myself if I had a good schematic. Sure the same thing could be done with a hidden switch, but the idea of walking away with the lighter takes me back to the '60's when I would pull the distributor rotor on my rod before going into a concert.

BlackSilver · June 9, 2003

..... but the idea of walking away with the lighter takes me back to the '60's when I would pull the distributor rotor on my rod before going into a concert.

Which reminds me of a dirty trick I used (once) on my oldest son.

In high school he bought himself a beater car, 1960-something Chrysler Newport. Huge tank of a thing!

As good parents, we always kept tabs on his insurance policy (agent was a family friend). One day we get a call that he hadn't paid his premium so the policy was lapsed.

Now cars in those day had ignition system technology left over from the 50's. The coil/condensor combo was set up for 6V, not 12V, so there was a current limiting resistor (commonly called a ballast) in series with the coil. To improve starting, this resistor was bypassed by a relay when the key was in the "Start" position. This provided a hotter spark for starting. When you released the key, the bypass relay opened and ignition current was supplied through the ballast. (Hold that thought)

Now these resistors were prone to failure, so they were easily removable for replacement.

Hmmmmmmmm. If I remove the ballast resistor, the car will start just fine but will stall as soon as the key is released.

Drove that kid nuts trying to figure out the problem until I casually mentioned that it sounded to me like his insurance coverage was missing.