Keyten

I'm just curious how many people take out their power plug when they get out of their car. About a month ago the place I work at, cars were getting broken into and stolen so I started taking mine out. This is my first car with a power plug and I was just curious as to how effective they were.

Can thieves easily get around them? If I actually lost it, wouldn't I have to get it towed to a dealer and get another plug made? Pretty much just yall's thoughts and opinions on the feature.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Power Plug ?

Keyten

Look under your steering wheel and to the left. There is a plug you and pull out. If it's out, you can't start the car.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Never heard of such a thing being standard equipment.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

the fuse box????

or the hood release???? you can start the car with the hood up... really you can..

now if you take something out of the fuse box.. you are on you own..

wow,,

beers

rglbegl

These are normally dealer installed in-line starter motor cutoff switches.
Dealers get an insurance break for having one in every car. Then instead of taking it out, they use the opportunity to make money. This is something the finance guy will usually pitch you on, along with lojack(good), warranty (you can buy it later), underbody sealer (useless), paint sealer (useless), GAP insurance (great for some loans). . . . .etc

Pull the plug and bump start the car. Try it, see if it works.






.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

i would love to see a photo of this??? please!!

beers

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

I've seen these on other cars; quite popular on some Ford Models.
Swoope, I'll try and get you a picture.

rglbegl

How much did they dealer charge for it? And did they tell you it was aftermarket? Because if they told you it was Mazda factory equipment, they are in HUGE trouble. If they told you it was an aftermarket system, and you did not agree to purchase it, they MUST take it out for free AND fix any holes/wires it affected.

I used to sell these systems. ( I was a dealership finance guy, but lets keep that on the DL ) We charged whatever we could get for them. The cost was about $45, anything over that . . was pure profit. And the finance guy gets paid on the profit.

Whatever you do ; DO NOT LOSE THAT LITTLE DEVICE. Most of these companies only last a couple years. And if you lose that thing, you gotta pay a pro a lot of money to bypass it.

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Runs the starter wires thru a socket, the plug has jumpers in the correct positions.

You already have the factory immobilizer - WAY more secure than that stupid plug.

S

New Yorker

Power plug?!? What the hell is that?! I've read every page in the Owner's Manual—there's no such thing.

Keyten

Hmm, I didn't know they weren't standard. I bought my car used and I just assumed this was standard from the Mazda dealer.

This is what it looks like.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9952/dsc00742vm5.jpg

I guess now I'll be trying to find out if this was from the Mazda dealer or the dealer I purchased the car from.

I take it the general consensus is that it's pretty much worthless.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

the rx8 had a factory installed immobilizer system that is pretty secure. if it detects any tampering, the car will cut all electricity, making it impossible to start the car. afaik. i dont really know anything about it.

rglbegl

If you have a manual . . ya. You can still bump start the car.

Find out who installed it. If it was the dealer you purchased the car from, they MUST take it out AND repair the holes/wires they tampered with.
If they bought the car with it in there, any good dealer would have taken it out anyway.
The only problem with these systems is if you lose the keys to them ( please tell me you have 2 of them ) or if a wire shorts out. Since they are not factory equipment, a Mazda dealer would have a VERY hard time tracking down the problem.

Look under your dash, see if they added wires or spliced the factory wires. Splices WILL wear out and short out the electrical system of the vehicle. Again, making it VERY hard to figure out what the problem is.

Also - Find out who made the system and get extra keys to it. That way if you lose your keys . . . you have a spare set.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

phew, I was like *what power plug* the whole day ...

if its really *as bad as* rglbegl saids .... then try to take it out as soon as possible.

TheKDog

I take out the engine.

It's pretty light, and at 1.3 liters it fits comfortably in a stylish handbag.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

(this) Power Plug = Kill Switch

My grandparents used to have one in their 78' Cougar and Thunderbird. I don't know anyone that still uses them though. Normally a switch is placed somewhere in the car where only the owner knows where it is. For example, my grandfather just had a toggle switch in the foot well climate control duct. My grandmother had a 1/4 headphone plug that plugged in under the dash that shorted a switch. They are effective, never seen one like the OPs though.

StewC625

Is that like a butt plug?

phxtravis

How do you start the car with the plug on the key chain???

Keyten

I take it off and put it back in it's socket holder under my steering wheel. I just put it on my keychain when I take it out so I don't lose it.

Razz1

Those power plgs are known to go bad.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

wow,

thx. have never seen one.

beers

MP3Guy

I haven't seen one of those in over 20 years. I used to work in a factory in a rough neighborhood. and this was the most popular deterrent at that time. I had no idea they were still made. I think this predates the fax machine.