1994 850: How can I disable my car while I am on vacation?

JFNash · Post by **JFNash** » 11 Dec 2011, 06:56

As the title of the post says, I am going to be leaving my car in my building's parking lot while I am on vacation for a month, and it would seem prudent to disable it to prevent it from being stolen. How can I do this in a way such that if someone does try to steal it, it's not going to hurt anything (besides whatever tampering they might do with the ignition)? I am thinking I should take out the fuel pump relay, any thoughts?

Note: I do not have any anti-theft options on the car that I know of, if that makes a difference.

santem · Post by **santem** » 11 Dec 2011, 07:07

I would suggest mabey taking out the battery, or drain your tank of gas before you leave. I doubt a thief is going to steal a car if they have to go out get gas, bring it back and fill it up THEN steal a car

Post by **E Showell** » 11 Dec 2011, 07:12

Remove the coil wire.

JFNash · Post by **JFNash** » 11 Dec 2011, 07:57

E Showell: Thought of that. I assume you would suggest disconnecting the wire from the battery to the coil as well to prevent damage to the coil. If I just disable the ignition system that way though, wouldn't cranking it cause the engine to flood?

Post by **E Showell** » 11 Dec 2011, 08:10

Yeah, it might, but tough to steal a car that you've flooded and with no prospect that the engine will fire.

mikilla · Post by **mikilla** » 11 Dec 2011, 08:30

Just take off all the spark plug wires and coil wire, if you want to go farther then that take out the spark plugs and the fuse for the fuel pump or just remove the ecu

Post by **Fish stick88** » 11 Dec 2011, 09:06

Here's the problem, if you are going to do all those things. Why not just take one thing and be good? Say someone does get in your car. They're going to crank it. and if its not going they're probably going to say "F*** it" and leave. I don't see doing a ton of stuff, its not everyday that a crook is going to think of putting the fuel relay in. Plus, they would have to come back with the relay. I'd say just remove your battery, and maybe your relay. If you work at somewhere you can leave that stuff, that way you're not carrying it around.

Post by **JRL** » 11 Dec 2011, 09:14

Volvos are about the least stolen cars on the planet, right up there with Subarus

If you MUST.... just remove the coil wire and don't get so involved with anything else.
Enjoy your vacation, no one's going to steal it.

JFNash · Post by **JFNash** » 11 Dec 2011, 09:24

JRL wrote: Volvos are about the least stolen cars on the planet, right up there with Subarus

If you MUST.... just remove the coil wire and don't get so involved with anything else.
Enjoy your vacation, no one's going to steal it.

I'd agree with you if I hadn't had a roommate whose 91 Saturn got stolen out of the driveway a couple years back, and if just about every other car in my lot wasn't going to be gone over winter break (college campus)