Kill Switch ?

[baldricks mate]

Hi All, I don't have an alarm in my 1997 Z3.
It has the key induction loop on the ignition barrel of course but I want something more.
I've settled on a big bright red F-off steering club lock and a kill switch.
Most thieves are fundamentally lazy, wanting something for nothing IMO., so you make it as hard reasonably possible.
The hidden kill switch is low tech and works well in my experience.
However I am unfamiliar with Z3 electrics being a new owner.
Can anyone in the Brains Trust advise what wires I'd be searching for to use as a hidden kill switch circuit?
Thanks in advance

 

[baldricks mate]

Bump! Can anybody help?

 

[ExMX5owner]

I dunno mate, my car does that all by itself, sometimes when I least expect it..

 

[jonco]

Hello - I can't offer any direct advice but if you can read wiring diagrams then this may help:

https://www.hc.lv/inc/Upload/news_290/File/e36z3_98.pdf

 

[baldricks mate]

Hello - I can't offer any direct advice but if you can read wiring diagrams then this may help:

https://www.hc.lv/inc/Upload/news_290/File/e36z3_98.pdf

Yes, I can read a diagram but phew, 347 pages! It is, however a place to start so thanks!

 

[baldricks mate]

I dunno mate, my car does that all by itself, sometimes when I least expect it..

Yeah, mines doing that atm, got a new key cut and transferred over the innards and now the car is having a sulk

 

[ExMX5owner]

Yeah, mines doing that atm, got a new key cut and transferred over the innards and now the car is having a sulk

Do you want it to turn over and not start or not turn over at all ?..

 

[ExMX5owner]

Yeah, mines doing that atm, got a new key cut and transferred over the innards and now the car is having a sulk

You did transfer the little chip as well ?. Key wont work without it..

 

[Rudyrov]

You need to pick a circuit that you want to cut and splice in a switch that is mounted in a secret location.
Most of us have the BMW alarm or a substitute that disables the starter circuit, most alarms do not want to disable the ignition circuit for a variety of safety reasons.
So, advice,
1. Install an alarm and do it the right way.
2. If you proceed with the switch, disable the starter solenoid trigger (12 volt in start only).

 

[baldricks mate]

Do you want it to turn over and not start or not turn over at all ?..

You did transfer the little chip as well ?. Key wont work without it..

Yes transferred all the innards of the old key. I want the car to start, gets to dash boot up lights stage, final movement turn of the key produces no crank. Atm, its merely annoying right now.

 

[baldricks mate]

You need to pick a circuit that you want to cut and splice in a switch that is mounted in a secret location.
Most of us have the BMW alarm or a substitute that disables the starter circuit, most alarms do not want to disable the ignition circuit for a variety of safety reasons.
So, advice,
1. Install an alarm and do it the right way.
2. If you proceed with the switch, disable the starter solenoid trigger (12 volt in start only).

After consideration, decided to put the switch in the fuel pump circuit. Thieves know to bypass/look at ignition, so fuel pump is a little less obvious to my mind.

 

[ExMX5owner]

Yes transferred all the innards of the old key. I want the car to start, gets to dash boot up lights stage, final movement turn of the key produces no crank. Atm, its merely annoying right now.

Thats exactly what my valet key does, are you sure you got the little chip ?...It was just floating in my key case, that I replaced because the rubber buttons were cactus.. However that being said, I can start the car with the dumb valet key, but only if the start key is my hand next to it when I do..

 

[baldricks mate]

Thats exactly what my valet key does, are you sure you got the little chip ?...It was just floating in my key case, that I replaced because the rubber buttons were cactus.. However that being said, I can start the car with the dumb valet key, but only if the start key is my hand next to it when I do..

yes, it has a little number printed on it. Im not sure it is actually "the" chip. It looks like a conductive strip. Holding the key might pressure/squeeze the strip to make better contact between the rubber underside of the button and the face of the circuit board. Originally that strip would have been glued to the face of the circuit board to ensure contact...the give away in your post is that it was floating around...

 

[ExMX5owner]

yes, it has a little number printed on it. Im not sure it is actually "the" chip. It looks like a conductive strip. Holding the key might pressure/squeeze the strip to make better contact between the rubber underside of the button and the face of the circuit board. Originally that strip would have been glued to the face of the circuit board to ensure contact...the give away in your post is that it was floating around...

Yes its a little IC with its legs cut off, similar to what you might find in a modern day wireless key fob, but old tech.. I did notice the numbers on them but didn't pay too much attention , because I was aware of the little sod, It did appear however that originally it had a dob of glue on it that cemented it to the key head shell. If I had not been aware of it, It might have ended up in the bin with the old headshell...