I want to have an ignition kill switch installed to prevent my rdx from starting even with the key present. I have had multiple cars stolen in the last year and can’t afford another one.

My my mechanic says it won’t void the warranty but wondered if anyone has any thoughts on this. I trust my mechanic and have been using him for 10 years. I essentially want a hidden switch that when flipped, won’t allow the vehicle to start.

 

just wire a switch inline with the start switch. pop off the molding on your right knee, trace the lines back a bit and cut there.... I am sure there are a plethora of other suggestions tho.

 

Don't you have insurance that protects against theft?

 

Your mechanic is full of it.

If you get some electrical issue down the road, then the dealer may well point their finger at the kill switch.

Have you had cars stolen with the key in vehicle?

 

yeah, well there's that...

 

OMG...do you really think I don’t have theft insurance? Of course I do but 2 thefts in 9 months puts me at risk of becoming “undesirable” from an insurer’s perspective. They are in the “collect premiums and don’t pay out” business.

 

The previous cars were Lexus RX350s where they somehow cloned the fob from outside my house. Huge problem right now with RX350s.

 

 

Have you considered moving? Or putting your fob in an RFID bag when in the house?

 

Just do it, warranty be damned.

 

see

 

Switch installed. Brilliant. When activated, car thinks brake isn’t depressed and thus won’t start.

For all you naysayers out there, google “Lexus RX350 thefts Toronto” and you will be shocked at how bad a problem it is. Not sure of the RDX is as popular however for a small bit of money, I can sleep at night.

 

Open your hood, go to fuse box A and pull “INJ fuse”, and you’re done, car won’t start no matter what..

 

Hardly convenient. Simply toggle switch inside car does trick just fine

 

any deets on this? which wire? what switch? thanks

 

Sounds like a great idea. Will remote start still work (since it doesn't require the brake to be pressed)?

 

If you end up going this route just be sure to tell any mechanic about it if you have some electrical problem in the future, you could save them a ton of time and get your car back sooner if one of the altered wires shorts out or comes loose.

I did pretty much the same thing with my '85 Jeep back in the day and never had a single issue but cars were simpler back then.

 

As a PSA ... don't be an idiot and leave your key fob in your car at all times. I used to think, "who would be dumb enough to do that?" But, apparently, it's become a very prominent issue.

 

Hard to believe but I have learned to never underestimate stupid people.

My biggest challenge with the FOB is to make sure I don't leave it in my pocket and run it through the wash!

 

Another fun fact. Honda/Acura don't require the FOB to be in the car once it's started. Even with the FOB not in range, you can still put it in any gear and drive away with it. Any time I see a newer Honda/Acura idling empty in a convenience store parking lot, I shake my head. Another fine way to get your car stolen by some miscreant.

Best part is, although you don't need the FOB in range to drive away with it, you also can't use the FOB to lock/unlock the doors when the car is running. Whoever came up with that programming should be be cursed with having random attacks on them with blunt objects so they can never relax for the remainder of their lives. Absolutely brilliant job, Honda/Acura. Bravo.

 

FWIW, I used to install a hidden toggle switch on our Honda/Acura's in the 80's and 90's to the fuel pump +12VDC switched power (controlled by the ECU to a relay) which ran down next to the rocker panel on the driver's side. Not sure if the modern Honda/Acura's use a CAN bus controlled fuel pump (like many German cars) but I suspect it's still a switched power fuel pump so getting a schematic and looking for that fuel pump power wire. Without that toggle switch turned off, there is no power to the fuel tank fuel pump so no delivery to the high pressure engine driven fuel pump and the car will not start.