Teft using key reprogrammers?

[Far Horizon]

Read this portion of an article in the East Bay Times.

"Key reprogrammers can be hooked into plugs behind panels of modern cars — from the expensive and stylish to clunkers — and are used to aid owners who’ve lost their keys. But the technology is ripe for misuse, according to police. Anyone can purchase them online, and a knowledgable thief can use them to start and steal a car in about 30 seconds, authorities say. "

Is there a way to block the OBD II receptacle in my Mache-e to thwart theft?
Thanks

Sponsored

 

[devmach-e]

Read this portion of an article in the East Bay Times.

"Key reprogrammers can be hooked into plugs behind panels of modern cars — from the expensive and stylish to clunkers — and are used to aid owners who’ve lost their keys. But the technology is ripe for misuse, according to police. Anyone can purchase them online, and a knowledgable thief can use them to start and steal a car in about 30 seconds, authorities say. "

Is there a way to block the OBD II receptacle in my Mache-e to thwart theft?
Thanks

No

 

[ChrisO]

I wonder if the fact that the 2025s and newer having encrypted OBD II/CAN bus will stop this.

After all that is my theory why they encrypted it in the first place, for just this reason.

If CoPilot is to be believed the generic aftermarket key programmers will be blocked. It will now require a dealer-level or locksmith equipment that can authenticate with Ford's security modules.

 

[tbrumleve]

Yes, there are many OBD2 locks available online. The best will be metal construction. It’s a deterrent, not a guarantee.

 

[Discwizard70]

I am a traveling auto inspector for many dealerships. The mentioned ODB locks are a good deterrent, it slows the theives down a good amount to where they usually give up if the get in and see them. Also, I have seen people across other car brands unplug the ODB from the current location and zip tie it up in the dash higher, meanwhile inserting a dummy male ODB plug into the usual spot. This is also a deterrent that causes theives to give up, due to the time trying to figure out what is happening. I believe either solution will likely prevent the vehicle from getting stolen, but probably will result in the window broken, should the doors be locked. I see about 2 vehicles a month with some sort of ODB deterrent, and most of the time the driver door glass is broken or the lock is punched.
I suppose leaving the vehicle unlocked and ODB locked/bypassed is a creative solution? I suppose it depends on where you are parking it.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Read this portion of an article in the East Bay Times.

"Key reprogrammers can be hooked into plugs behind panels of modern cars — from the expensive and stylish to clunkers — and are used to aid owners who’ve lost their keys. But the technology is ripe for misuse, according to police. Anyone can purchase them online, and a knowledgable thief can use them to start and steal a car in about 30 seconds, authorities say. "

Is there a way to block the OBD II receptacle in my Mache-e to thwart theft?
Thanks

Lock your door?

 

[Discwizard70]

Lock your door?

Then you get a lunched lock, or a broken window!

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Then you get a lunched lock, or a broken window!

Ok, then keep your door unlocked as to give an excuse for your insurance to deny a claim.

I’d love to see a thief try and open this thing in 30 sec. Even with a PAAK in my pocket, it takes me more than 30 sec to open the Mach-E’s god damned door!!

The Mach-Es are some of the least stolen vehicles. Find something else to worry about.

 

[Discwizard70]

I'm not worried at all, I have good insurance, a tracking software, and almost never lock the doors... If they take it, I'll get another anyway, or have it repaired.

 

[ChrisO]

I'm actually in a very safe area, but I can't believe that people are even suggesting leaving their doors unlocked.

A broken lock or window??? Come on, if that is what you are worried about let me tell you about this thing called insurance.

 

[Discwizard70]

No, if the window costs less than the deductible, you have to pay for it. Not everyone lives in a good area or has the same coverage, so the suggestion was made that If you are worried about the window so much, don't lock your car and don't leave anything inside you don't want stolen. Just a suggestion to counters some of the issues is all. I personally don't lock mine, and I do travel to a rougher area a couple times a week. I have had someone enter my car too, they rummage through the glove box and center console, but nothing taken and nothing damaged, they likely moved on to the next vehicle. When I returned to the car, I simply shrugged and put my towel back into my center console and drove off.

 

[ChrisO]

No, if the window costs less than the deductible, you have to pay for it. Not everyone lives in a good area or has the same coverage, so the suggestion was made that If you are worried about the window so much, don't lock your car and don't leave anything inside you don't want stolen. Just a suggestion to counters some of the issues is all. I personally don't lock mine, and I do travel to a rougher area a couple times a week. I have had someone enter my car too, they rummage through the glove box and center console, but nothing taken and nothing damaged, they likely moved on to the next vehicle. When I returned to the car, I simply shrugged and put my towel back into my center console and drove off.

Good point about the insurance deductible.

I'm still going to lock my car.

 

[Space_Pony]

I am a traveling auto inspector for many dealerships. The mentioned ODB locks are a good deterrent, it slows the theives down a good amount to where they usually give up if the get in and see them. Also, I have seen people across other car brands unplug the ODB from the current location and zip tie it up in the dash higher, meanwhile inserting a dummy male ODB plug into the usual spot. This is also a deterrent that causes theives to give up, due to the time trying to figure out what is happening. I believe either solution will likely prevent the vehicle from getting stolen, but probably will result in the window broken, should the doors be locked. I see about 2 vehicles a month with some sort of ODB deterrent, and most of the time the driver door glass is broken or the lock is punched.
I suppose leaving the vehicle unlocked and ODB locked/bypassed is a creative solution? I suppose it depends on where you are parking it.

I'm familiar with the OBD but not an ODB. I guess as an inspector you must be talking about something I'm not familiar with..

 

[Discwizard70]

OK spelling police.
It's actually a spell correct thing, due to back when Odell Beckham used play football. When talking smack in my fantasy league, I was continually correcting my keyboard (then) to ODB when it was trying to correct me to OBD, now it corrects the other way around due to 2 years of having that guy on the team. I will go into GBoard and edit just for you, even though it was obvious what the subject was.... Sheesh.

 

[Space_Pony]

OK spelling police.
It's actually a spell correct thing, due to back when Odell Beckham used play football. When talking smack in my fantasy league, I was continually correcting my keyboard (then) to ODB when it was trying to correct me to OBD, now it corrects the other way around due to 2 years of having that guy on the team. I will go into GBoard and edit just for you, even though it was obvious what the subject was.... Sheesh.

Spellcheck will bite you, that's why I don't use it.

Sponsored