With car thefts on the rise, it is crucial to take every precaution to protect your vehicle and keep it from being stolen. Installing a kill switch may be one precaution you may want to consider taking.
These simple devices ensure that your car does not get taken from underneath you. But what kind of kill switch can you install to thwart an attempt at auto-theft?
In this guide, we will outline the five different types of automotive kill switches so you can determine what type of kill switch is best suited for your vehicle. We will also examine the costs involved to install these kill switches.
What Is the Kill Switch in a Car?
If you are unsure what a kill switch for the car is, you are going to have a hard time distinguishing between these five types of kill switches. A kill switch is something that, when activated, will allow the car to start. If the kill switch is not activated, a certain circuit will not be completed.
There are many ways to operate each type of kill switch, but a kill switch must be some type of switch. The goal of hiding the kill switch is not to let anyone know where it is located.
If they know there is a kill switch they will have no problem starting your vehicle. Different types of kill switches will vary in operation and installation.
5 Types of Kill Switches
Fuel system relay switches interrupt the fuel from hitting the engine. There are also simple-to-use battery disconnect switches. Or an even more advanced system is to use a remote car battery disconnect switch, an ignition wire kill switch, or a fuse box kill switch.
Here’s an in-depth list of the types of kill switches you might want to consider for your car:
#1. Fuel System Relay Switch.
By activating the fuel pump relay switch, there is absolutely no way for the fuel to travel along the lines to the engine. If the motor has no fuel, it cannot start. However, your engine will still crank, there just won’t be any gas present to make it turn over.
Therefore, if a thief gets in your car, they will just think the car has a problem and leave it where as they would have just driven away with your car.
To install the fuel system relay switch you need to locate the wiring harness for your car. Splice the fuel switch relay wire and find a good location for the kill switch, then run your wire from fuel switch relay to the kill switch and you can have the kill switch ready to go.
#2. Battery Disconnect Switch.
The battery disconnect switch means you would need to remove the negative connection and place the disconnect switch in between. The negative lead is connected to the kill switch, now at the battery post terminal.
When the switch is on, the car will not receive power from the battery simulating a dead battery, although once you turn the switch on, the Ignition will work normally.
If you run a wire from the battery to mount the switch inside the vehicle, you will not have to go into the engine bay to start the engine every time. However, your radio presets settings and time will reset each time because the battery is what remembers them.
#3. Remote Car Battery Kill Switch.
Another type of kill switch, also installed at the battery, is the remote-controlled variety. You can keep the remote with your keys. What is nice about this option is you can activate it any time you feel nervous about suspicious activity taking place, even if you aren’t with your vehicle.
The switch is installed at the battery the same as any other kill switch and using magnets, activates your ability to use the battery whenever you want to drive, and turns it off when you are protecting your vehicle.
However, you are going to experience the same memory issues that were previous to this type of battery killing option.
#4. Ignition Wire Kill Switch.
As there is no ignition system running right, you cannot start the car. With an Ignition Wire Kill Switch, you interrupt the ignition flow to cause a break in the ignition wiring. You will need to cut the ignition wire and put a connector on either side and connect each to the switch.
Then you can decide where to route the switch itself in the cabin, perhaps somewhere that can not be seen.
This may be a little more complicated as having to cut a wire, and if you are not already familiar with your ignition system, make sure you look at the diagram in your service manual. The key is to cut the correct wire, and you may also prefer soldering for a better connection.
#5. Fuse Box Kill Switch.
While this kill switch will stop power getting to the car, it does not stop it with the battery. Instead, it stops power right at the fuse box.
Of course, you can just pull the ignition fuse out and put it back in when you come back to drive your vehicle. But that seems like too much work, especially if the fuse box is hard to reach.
It makes a lot more sense to install a switch that kills specific fuses. You would simply run a wire to the fuses you want to kill. Then properly install the switch in an inconspicuous place.
Kill Switch Cost
Typically, a vehicle kill switch costs between $10 and $100, including both the item and the installation. Of course, this will really be dependent on what type you get, what kind of vehicle you have, and whether you are doing the work yourself or if you’re having it professionally installed.
When you think about the low cost of a kill switch, it’s really a no-brainer, especially if you live or work in an area where there is a lot of vehicle theft.
For less than $100, you can prevent your car from being stolen which is not only a hassle but can also cause your insurance rates to jump quite a bit.
An automotive kill switch is definitely better than putting one of those ugly steering wheel locks on or having to deal with a million false alerts from car alarms.
When you install a kill switch in the right location, either inside or outside of the vehicle, you greatly minimize your chances of it being stolen. It’s sometimes quite inexpensive to install, especially if you can DIY it. Of course, you will need some basic automotive electrical skills.
No system is foolproof, but adding a car kill switch as an extra layer of security will at least give you more peace of mind when you park your car in high-crime areas, or when it is unattended for long periods of time.
When you compare the effort to install one, to the greatly decreased chances of your car being stolen, it’s a fairly good use of time.