Starter lockout switch - momentary.

[Route666]

Is this a good idea?

Mount momentary (button) switch to firewall under top of clutch so when clutch is depressed fully, the button is pressed.

This momentary switch activates a relay, that passes power to the starter relay, that the ignition activates. Without the momentary activated, no power gets to the ignition/starter relay, so car doesn't start.

Advantages:

Clutch must be depressed, thus car will not lurch into wall/other car/pole, etc.

Hotwiring will be extra-complicated, and hard to figure out, and will also need access to engine bay to be accomplished.

Sound good? Any ideas for or against, etc?


EDIT: Ok, for security, under the clutch may not be THAT good, as theif may try hotwiring while holding clutch in. Not likely, but maybe.

Hiding the button under the carpet on the firewall somewhere you can put your foot would be FAR better for security, but wouldn't have the starting-in-gear protection.

 

[cobra1]

easy, wife left in car, 357 magnum, 125 grain jacketed hollow points, (97 pct 1 shot stops) low blood sugar, game over.

 

[2nd Mustang]

It sounds good as a safety device, just like in some newer cars. It may slow down a joy rider, but not a professional thief. Just watch a repo agent, they are amazing.

 

[TT670]

I did mine the opposite. Just used a normally closed switch in line on the wire to the "s" terminal to the starter solenoid. Attach it to the clutch so that when the clutch pedal is released it is in contact with the switch and opends the circuit, when depressed the pedal is not in contact with the switch, it closes and completes the circuit. There isnt high current there... no need for a relay, a relay just complicates an otherwise easy wiring job and creates 1 more thing that can give you trouble. For that matter you could do it just like you want, close a switch when depressed and still not need a relay. I have a clutch safety switch in my 65 coupe, made from a cheap radio shack switch ... no relay and it works fine.

 

[Route666]

I did mine the opposite. Just used a normally closed switch in line on the wire to the "s" terminal to the starter solenoid. Attach it to the clutch so that when the clutch pedal is released it is in contact with the switch and opends the circuit, when depressed the pedal is not in contact with the switch, it closes and completes the circuit. There isnt high current there... no need for a relay, a relay just complicates an otherwise easy wiring job and creates 1 more thing that can give you trouble. For that matter you could do it just like you want, close a switch when depressed and still not need a relay. I have a clutch safety switch in my 65 coupe, made from a cheap radio shack switch ... no relay and it works fine.

I don't get it. You have a switch that will let the car start with clutch out but not in? What is the point of it?

EDIT: Ok I get it, after reading again. Good idea!

 

[RajunCajun]

It sounds good as a safety device, just like in some newer cars. It may slow down a joy rider, but not a professional thief. Just watch a repo agent, they are amazing.

try arboring 10" anchor bolts made for tower cables into the ground 15ft and chaining that to the underside of your car I dont think theyll be stealing it very quick, but neither will you

 

[Route666]

try arboring 10" anchor bolts made for tower cables into the ground 15ft and chaining that to the underside of your car I dont think theyll be stealing it very quick, but neither will you

Are you trying to imply that 2nd mustang is vastly under-estimating the security a hidden button will give?

 

[2nd Mustang]

try arboring 10" anchor bolts made for tower cables into the ground 15ft and chaining that to the underside of your car I dont think theyll be stealing it very quick, but neither will you

Just being silly here, but that chain better be awfully thick. I've seen some of our splicers cut through locks with bolt cutters when customers locked up OUR equiptment.

When I sold my Camaro to a fellow Stangnetter, I brought the wrong keys to the storage yard. I told the tow truck driver I'd be right back with the right keys. By the time I returned, he already had the car on the flat bed tow truck!