Effective, Inexpensive, Simple Security Device
- Thread starter Mud Rat
- Start date
If you wired the hardwired transmitter to trigger with the parking lights, and the thief programmed a new fob, he'd have to lock or unlock the vehicle with the fob to trigger the hardwired transmitter. But there's no reason for them to do this.
Imagine the steal - The thief breaks your window, reaches inside to unlock the door, plugs his computer in and reprograms a key, then presses start. With the relay set, when the thief presses start, nothing happens. He presses the start button half a dozen more times, feels around for a kill switch, says WTF! and moves on. If you've added a shock sensor, and the horn is sounding all the while, it'll make him more apt to move on.
I would think no, as long as you wait long enough for the system to say , hey this thing isn't starting - stop cranking.
I've had my battery to low in my Hellcat to actually start, but is still cranked ( slowly ).
I went into panic mode when it continued to keep cranking on its own.
Re-pushing the start stop button did absolutely nothing.
Opening the door - did absolutely nothing.
I guess It finally reached the preset crank time limit and it stopped on its own.
It was a scary thing.
These aren't like a keyed ignition that when you release the key it stops cranking.
These crank until is starts or times out.
The only thing is if you were to remote start it then hit lock first then double tap remote. If you jump in youd have to lock the doors before you pressed the ignition button. Would take a little getting used to. But I can see myself putting the transmitter in at some point to not carry to fobs. I wonder if there's another process during the remote start that can activate it and another separate process you can do in the truck like hold brights down while starting or hold left paddle shifter down
I got mine in the mail today. I'm pleased to report that the remote fob is much smaller than I expected. I'm not sure what I could take a picture of it by to communicate it's size. I don't yet have my TRX, so I can't use the TRX fob for reference. I can tell you that it's smaller than any other fob I own.
I wonder if you could connect the transmitter to the line that signals the remote start. You'd always have to remote start, but I typically do in both summer and winter as I walk up to the vehicle to ensure the oil is circulating by the time I roll away. I can imagine wanting to remote start the TRX to hear the exhaust note, too.
The site actually suggests you can put it on your brights circuit. That, though, wouldn't allow you to remote start. If remote start isn't important to you, there are all sorts of other circuits you could put it on.
I'll try to remember to post a picture of both together tomorrow.
Seems like a decent solution that is easy and doesn’t require anyone cutting or splicing wires. I still like the Ravelco but don’t have an installer anywhere near Michigan
Does your relay have SRI-MG sticker on it like @Mud Rat has?
Also I got a question for everyone that has a basic idea how the starter relay works.. If the starter relay dies/is removed while the car is started does the car stop or keeps running? For example if you start the car and remove the battery the car keeps running.
I'm afraid the relay could somehow malfunction and the car becomes a brick at 80 miles per hour
Another question...Do you guys think theres any danger of electrical fire because of the modded relay?
Your starter isn’t constantly running while you’re driving so it won’t somehow make your truck stop driving.
I agree with @RobR651. The starter relay only transmits power when it is operating the starter. If it fails while driving, it would likely fail open, and you won't notice it till you stop and try to re-start again.
Yes, there's a risk of electrical fire if the relay malfunctions, just like any relay. But, I think it more likely that the relay would fail open and just not operate, or if it failed closed, it would just melt the relay. Appreciate that, unlike the fuel pump, the starter relay is not constantly powered. The starter relay only has power through it for a short while. Once the computer determines the truck has started or the starting cycle times out, the computer cuts the signal and the relay opens. If the relay somehow got stuck closed, you'd definitely know it and know to do something, because your starter would run continuously.
Ever not realized a car was running and turned the key? Remember the blood curdling, something's gone horribly wrong noise that made you immediately let go of the key? You'd probably get that if this relay failed closed.
Yes, my relay had the SRI-MG sticker on top.
Edit to add an explanation of the failure mode @Mud Rat describes:
In my explanation above, I was thinking in terms of the relay portion of the relay failing. @Mud Rat correctly points out there's another failure mode that isn't a catastrophic failure. If the wirelessly actuated circuit that deactivates the relay fails, it could fail in a way that would leave your start relay working - in which case, your truck would start normally. It could also fail in a way that would leave your start relay deactivated - in which case, your truck won't start until you replace the relay.
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I think if the Mobilistics relay failed in the open position, your truck would run as normal but not start the next time you tried, as g_force says.
However, I think if it failed in the closed position it would just act as a normal factory relay with no security. I think the ignition would still control when the starter was and was not engaged. Although it is possible I am mistaken, as has been known to happen.
However, I think if it failed in the closed position it would just act as a normal factory relay with no security. I think the ignition would still control when the starter was and was not engaged. Although it is possible I am mistaken, as has been known to happen.
Remote is def smaller than a Ram fob. Quarter for reference. I also picked up the OBD Saver. I didn't get the model with the key lock, it looks like it would protrude out way more. This thing is well machined aluminum and the screw heads are unique to a certain bit they include as well as an 8mm driver. I think there's over 600 different security screws so no way anyone could take this off otherwise destroying the port. Shock sensor coming soon as well
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Same..i even linked this thread.. Actually the correct part number is on the relay itself but the darn relay has 5 prongs
Mistakes happen..
BTW check your fuses/relays if they are fully pushed.. Under the dash they were aight but under the hood one relay was barely hanging
could you link what you got, plz?
I see y'all are indeed getting a photo of my fuse box included with your relays. Let me know if you need me to sign any personal autographs.
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