[Anjilslaire]

Oh, I intend to keep this car forever. But if it's stolen and trashed, nope.

[keep_hope_alive]

Originally Posted by ember1205

Why not just "uninstall" the actual plug, tie it up under the dash, and install a new "dead" one in its place? Way less work overall and will still screw their plans up.

This is also where I am going. Install a dummy port that doesn't actually connect to anything, but they will try and be confused when it doesn't connect. Further, let's short pins to actually damage the tool they use.

The actual port can be stashed in in the dash or intercepted as I note.

[ember1205]

Originally Posted by keep_hope_alive

This is also where I am going. Install a dummy port that doesn't actually connect to anything, but they will try and be confused when it doesn't connect. Further, let's short pins to actually damage the tool they use.

The actual port can be stashed in in the dash or intercepted as I note.

You have to be careful with shorting pins to explicitly do damage. GM hooks your car up to a scan tool if you take it in for any kind of service. I had an airbag recall done a few months back on my 2015 Silverado and they pull info with a scan tool as part of the intake.

Maybe wire it up to provide some sort of power or something... If it's completely dead, they might stick their head under the dash. But if it's just not connecting...

[keep_hope_alive]

Originally Posted by ember1205

You have to be careful with shorting pins to explicitly do damage. GM hooks your car up to a scan tool if you take it in for any kind of service. I had an airbag recall done a few months back on my 2015 Silverado and they pull info with a scan tool as part of the intake.

Maybe wire it up to provide some sort of power or something... If it's completely dead, they might stick their head under the dash. But if it's just not connecting...

If I take my car for service, I will explain what OBD port to use since I'll have the only working extension. If someone uses my OBD port without my permission, that's on them. If I lived in an area that was being hit hard, I would short the pins of the dummy OBD.

I'm not as worried since my car is mostly in my locked garage down a private drive, or at my office. My area isn't seeing Camaro thefts, mostly Hyundai. For me, simply hiding the working OBD port under the dash and putting a fake in that doesn't connect to anything is likely all I need.

I like your idea of connecting the power pins.

[Deacon Blues]

Originally Posted by Gunkk

You can't pop the trunk when there's no power to the car :tapsforeheadmeme: But yeah that's why I made the comment about lockouts and door handle gymnastics. Once you have done this to yourself, you will understand.

You just made me think - I had to go check my Camaro (under cover in the garage for winter) and make sure I didn't shut the trunk after I removed the battery. Thankfully I was using my brain at the time and it isn't latched, just closed, so I could lift it up and get inside.

Originally Posted by Gunkk

Not exaggerated. After reconnecting the battery, I let the car wake up for 30 seconds. Then I put it into service mode (hold start button 5 seconds with foot off the brake). Then it will start right up. The car is not happy without going into service mode first. I won't get any rough running, it just won't start and throws a CEL. Service mode prevents it for all the glitchy 1st model year Chevy software reasons.

Unrelated to the anti-theft discussion in this thread, but do you think starting it in service mode would be good practice for awakening a Camaro after a winter slumber after putting the battery back in? Are there any pros/cons to service mode? Thanks.

[LancevanceZLE]

AAA is reportedly dropping ZL1 insurance because it's a "high symbol vehicle", meaning high theft. So there may come a point where you can no longer rely on insurance coverage.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by Deacon Blues

... do you think starting it in service mode would be good practice for awakening a Camaro after a winter slumber after putting the battery back in? Are there any pros/cons to service mode? Thanks.

Yes, that's exactly why I posted it. So others know it's a convenient way to avoid "wake up glitches" with the various modules. All pros and no cons that I'm aware of. As soon as the car is started, service mode is exited and the car is 100% normal.

[keep_hope_alive]

If my car was bone stock, then I would be fine if it was totaled. Now that I've put a lot of time and effort into making it 1 of 1, I would rather get it back. So it was stolen and damaged, that's no different than being in an accident while you're driving.

When my 2014 Accord was stolen I got it back 4 days later with $6k in damage that insurance covered. I had well over 200 hours of work into that car, so I wanted to keep it. I've since put another 180k mi. on that car and still own it.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by keep_hope_alive

Further, let's short pins to actually damage the tool they use.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today we bring suit against keep_hope_alive. Through his malicious actions, he intentionally damaged my client's OBDtheft-o-matic, causing immense emotional pain and suffering...

[Rogueleader_92]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today we bring suit against keep_hope_alive. Through his malicious actions, he intentionally damaged my client's OBDtheft-o-matic, causing immense emotional pain and suffering...

Thats only happening if the thief is caught.

My issue is the where they talk about taking the car in for service and how if the tech hooks up to it without the owners permission. Thats probably not going to fly in small claims court.

[LancevanceZLE]

Could you use mild2wild but in a different fuse port that disables that particular fuse?

[keep_hope_alive]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today we bring suit against keep_hope_alive. Through his malicious actions, he intentionally damaged my client's OBDtheft-o-matic, causing immense emotional pain and suffering...

Your scenario is more likely. I'd get sued for both cuts from breaking my window and burns on the hand from shorting the theft tool. I'd pay for pain, suffering, and loss of revenue.

[CalgaryZL1]

Originally Posted by LancevanceZLE

Could you use mild2wild but in a different fuse port that disables that particular fuse?

That’s what I’m going to try, the mild2wild is in the mail

[LancevanceZLE]

Originally Posted by CalgaryZL1

That’s what I’m going to try the mild2wild is in the mail

Please report back!