Poor security on keyless entry - Please be careful!

[LostKiwi]

On the contrary John, a well hidden switch hooked to the fuel pump feed is very easy to implement and can be very difficult to find, particularly if the switch is hidden in plain view (using electric seat heater switch for example when the car doesn't have heated seats).
One of the tricks I implemented in my Defender was an electric fuel cutoff switch on the dashboard marked 'Fuel Pump'. The cutoff would operate (fuel flow) in the 'OFF' Position, disable the cutoff (no fuel flow) in the mid position and turn on the horn (with a latching relay) when turned to 'ON'.
Perfectly hidden in plain view.

 

[John Laidlaw]

^ that's good thinking....

 

[Yugguy]

Lk that's a cracking idea, I had not thought of using a visible switch that looks like it should be there.

 

[Frosty149]

On the contrary John, a well hidden switch hooked to the fuel pump feed is very easy to implement and can be very difficult to find, particularly if the switch is hidden in plain view (using electric seat heater switch for example when the car doesn't have heated seats).
One of the tricks I implemented in my Defender was an electric fuel cutoff switch on the dashboard marked 'Fuel Pump'. The cutoff would operate (fuel flow) in the 'OFF' Position, disable the cutoff (no fuel flow) in the mid position and turn on the horn (with a latching relay) when turned to 'ON'.
Perfectly hidden in plain view.

Some upside down logic there!

 

[JBell]

I'm hoping the insurance will cover the amount left on the car but that means all the gap insurance, tyre/wheel cover and deposit will be for 2.5 months of motoring. If we want to buy the same car again, we'll have to put down the same deposit again, my insurance will now skyrocket as well. Plus I have 1 child seat, 1 toddler seat, 1 isofix base for baby seat in there as well as the push chairs in the boot so lost over £900 worth of stuff for my kids

I would be putting a claim into MB for all the stuff in the car for inadequate security, in effect these cars have Cat 1 alarms which are supposed to be secure, the key is obviously not secure and causes the alarm and any other security device inoperable.

These cars are clearly not secure at all

 

[Plasmadaddy]

As has already been mentioned - Autowatch Ghost.

I love my keyless go and don't see at as being an issue any more now that I've had the Ghost fitted.
Yes it's an added (and some would say unnecessary) expense but for the 350 that I paid to have it done it's really given me the peace of mind I was after.

 

[Wolverine]

As has already been mentioned - Autowatch Ghost.

I love my keyless go and don't see at as being an issue any more now that I've had the Ghost fitted.
Yes it's an added (and some would say unnecessary) expense but for the 350 that I paid to have it done it's really given me the peace of mind I was after.

I'm thinking of getting this fitted with the immobiliser option:

https://www.autodefence.co.uk/meta-trak-vts.html

Would that actually work?

 

[Wolverine]

I would be putting a claim into MB for all the stuff in the car for inadequate security, in effect these cars have Cat 1 alarms which are supposed to be secure, the key is obviously not secure and causes the alarm and any other security device inoperable.

These cars are clearly not secure at all

I'm hoping MB give some sort of discount for a car that they may have in stock. Maybe MB employee rates (if they do such a thing) to make sure I don't lose out too much purchasing the same car because of a security flaw on their cars!

 

[LostKiwi]

The only issue with any tracker is how easy they are to 'jam'.
The immobiliser may help but I doubt it would be as effective as Ghost.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Looks like it, gives you more features than the Ghost. However might be detectable, I was trying to find some reassurance on their blurb on that...

 

[television]

This whole story is all wrong, what a load of rubbish

 

[Wolverine]

Just had a response to my email that I sent to MB. They say that they actively enhance their protection systems based on latest knowledge about criminal methods... except this method has been around for over a year so that's a total BS response.

 

[star]

On the contrary John, a well hidden switch hooked to the fuel pump feed is very easy to implement and can be very difficult to find, particularly if the switch is hidden in plain view (using electric seat heater switch for example when the car doesn't have heated seats).
One of the tricks I implemented in my Defender was an electric fuel cutoff switch on the dashboard marked 'Fuel Pump'. The cutoff would operate (fuel flow) in the 'OFF' Position, disable the cutoff (no fuel flow) in the mid position and turn on the horn (with a latching relay) when turned to 'ON'.
Perfectly hidden in plain view.

I had this on my escort mexico back in the day, you had to have the ashtray open to allow the micro switch to power the coil up.

 

[JBell]

I'm hoping MB give some sort of discount for a car that they may have in stock. Maybe MB employee rates (if they do such a thing) to make sure I don't lose out too much purchasing the same car because of a security flaw on their cars!

They give footballers and rugby players 20%

 

[mikestrivens]

This whole story is all wrong, what a load of rubbish

Well let's hope the local scum bags with their laptops don't find out where you live.

 

[towat]

As has already been mentioned - Autowatch Ghost.

I love my keyless go and don't see at as being an issue any more now that I've had the Ghost fitted.
Yes it's an added (and some would say unnecessary) expense but for the 350 that I paid to have it done it's really given me the peace of mind I was after.

It's just a shame that we have to pay for after market devices to make our vehicles safe, it's like going back in time 25 years.

 

[AMGeed]

As I've mentioned I have the Autowatch Ghost fitted and I've tested it also and it absolutely works. Even with the actual key on your person or inside the car, unless you press your preset dash/steering wheel sequence you cannot drive the car. It will start up, but as soon as you select a gear it stalls and will not restart until you have the correct sequence.
Only I and the installer know my sequence and even then I can change it so even he won't know
The installed part is completely undetectable and small and in my case has original MB loom tape to cover it. Invisible.
In daily use it's no different, its a product you spend £399 on (Comand are offering a discount, I think to £375? Installed), which has no visible benefit, but a huge mental relief.
OK, downsides are that it wont stop someone getting into your car, but that's a given- you could get a brick through the window on any car almost- but as the OP has experienced, these are not random thieves, these are 'professional' thieves with professional tools who target vehicles. So they are aiming to be stealthy. They won't risk being caught by doing something stupid to mine whilst trying to continually restart, so they'll move on. That's my thoughts anyway
Best £399 I've spent on my car so far....

And this is the best solution so far. As stated, it won't stop anyone opening the car, but it won't be driven away.
Seems like a no brainer to me and for under £400, excellent value.

In the meantime, MB and all other car makers that use the KG technology should be rethinking the design and how to stop it from being hacked. Once you have had it, its a great feature despite the critics.

 

[Wolverine]

Our insurance company has informed me that they won't insure us on a high value car again unless we have a Cat 5 tracker installed now...

 

[JBell]

Our insurance company has informed me that they won't insure us on a high value car again unless we have a Cat 5 tracker installed now...

Doesn't it just cheer you up how you get punished due to inadequate security on a car you bought in good faith!!!

 

[Plasmadaddy]

Our insurance company has informed me that they won't insure us on a high value car again unless we have a Cat 5 tracker installed now...

Which is so utterly pathetic given how easily trackers can now be found and disabled.....