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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3597
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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STOP your vehicle from getting stolen or ripped off in Baja!
I STRONGLY recommend that everyone have an alarm installed on their vehicle before going South. Nothing is full proof, but unless a professional is
intent on stealing your vehicle, an amateur will be scared off.
For example, if you do not have a ''back-up'' battery to your alarm system, cutting the battery cable can be done by breaking your driver side
window, popping the hood, and cutting the cable. No more alarm and all done in a matter of seconds. Spend more and get a back-up battery
installed. If I was driving a $50,000 pickup, I'd have the extra battery.
For a little more money, you can also have an ignition kill switch as part of the system. The vehicle CANNOT be started and driven off. (Not
actually a switch but the alarm computer shorting something out.)
Without an alarm/security system installed, your vehicle can be hot-wired in seconds and driven off.
A basic alarm systems costs $300.00. You'll be happier with a busted driver window than no window at all.
An alarm doesn't mean your vehicle can't be towed. And if it's being towed, an alarm sounding probably doesn't mean anything to the tow'ers.
Any experts out there who know better ways?
(I once had a ''silent alarm'' on a car that would transmit to a pager I carried that my car was being messed with. Wanted to catch them in the act.
)
I'd still like to catch them. Might start carrying that pager in Baja.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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| Quote: |
(Not actually a switch but the alarm computer shorting something out.)
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well, yes, actually you can install a switch. pretty common in the olden days before alarms. or just take the coil wire with you......
BTW, i'm not the smartest guy, but why would you want your alarm to short anything out? how would it know you just forgot to disable it when
you open the door?
i just had a factory alarm torn outta my sub $5k truck because it was not allowing the chipped key to be read by the computer at the most inconvenient
times!
[Edited on 6-8-2007 by woody in ob]
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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I just got back from Mexicali and while there they stole the brand new top of the line alarm systome and my catalytic converter out of my truck.
I'm glad they left the truck
Has any else ever heard of having a catalytic converter stolen?
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
I just got back from Mexicali and while there they stole the brand new top of the line alarm systome and my catalytic converter out of my truck.
I'm glad they left the truck
Has any else ever heard of having a catalytic converter stolen? |
Yes Bruce I have. Recently in a San Diego shopping center thugs were stealing them while people were shopping.
Unbelievable!
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lee
I STRONGLY recommend that everyone have an alarm installed on their vehicle before going South. Nothing is full proof, but unless a
professional is intent on stealing your vehicle, an amateur will be scared off.
For example, if you do not have a ''back-up'' battery to your alarm system, cutting the battery cable can be done by breaking your driver side
window, popping the hood, and cutting the cable. No more alarm and all done in a matter of seconds. Spend more and get a back-up battery
installed. If I was driving a $50,000 pickup, I'd have the extra battery.
For a little more money, you can also have an ignition kill switch as part of the system. The vehicle CANNOT be started and driven off. (Not
actually a switch but the alarm computer shorting something out.)
Without an alarm/security system installed, your vehicle can be hot-wired in seconds and driven off.
A basic alarm systems costs $300.00. You'll be happier with a busted driver window than no window at all.
An alarm doesn't mean your vehicle can't be towed. And if it's being towed, an alarm sounding probably doesn't mean anything to the tow'ers.
Any experts out there who know better ways?
(I once had a ''silent alarm'' on a car that would transmit to a pager I carried that my car was being messed with. Wanted to catch them in the act.
)
I'd still like to catch them. Might start carrying that pager in Baja. |
Lee... I seriously doubt it...I am sure the people in Baja are no different then the people in California when it come to alarms...there are so many
they just annoy everyone...most just clap and yell steal it fast so I don't have to listen to the crap anymore
Alarms are absolutely and totally useless...
Disabling the vehicle would be the best answer, but that will only stop (maybe) crimes of opportunity. Transmitters with secret battery backup may be
your only chance at recovery in Baja...slim as it may be. Would love to hear a real
solution.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Frank
Senior Nomad
Posts: 861
Registered: 6-5-2005
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Is it time to leave yet?
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Alarms are great, but they do have devices that will shop your alarm code until it beeps. If they want it, they will get it. You have to make yours
harder to steal then the one parked next to it.
You could pull a certain relay and take it with you.....what are the chances that the thief would have the right one in his pocket or even know which
one is missing.
If your really worried about it you could flatten a few tires
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
Member Is Offline
Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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I drive a beater in Mexico. Nobody wants it. I wish someone would steal it so the spouse would let me get a new one. 
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BAJABAILADOR
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 3-26-2007
Location: LAKESIDE CA/Colonet
Member Is Offline
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on late model vehicles, fuel pump switch-easy.
all mine have them, just have to use them.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
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Ding...Ding...Ding!!!
| Quote: | Originally posted by oxxo
I drive a beater in Mexico. Nobody wants it. |
We have a winner.
And you get double protection:
No tickets. 
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Tomas Tierra
Super Nomad
Posts: 1281
Registered: 3-23-2005
Location: oxnard, ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tengo Flojera
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puppy dog, ruff ruff
(and drive a p.o.s.)
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4346
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
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There were published reports in the last year describing the break up of a car 'theft' ring in Ensenada area. The culprits had a device that would
read your code when you used your key bob to lock your vehicle. You walked away and they would use the device to unlock the vehicle steal all the
goods inside and lock it back up. Upon your return you would find your vehicle locked with no signs of entry and  It was reported
that the same crew would take orders for specific make, model vehicle and deliver quickly and cheaply.
Be careful. 
MAGA
marooons Are Governing America
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Norm
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: AUBURN CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: GOOD!!!!!
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 NEVER STOP AFTER CROSSING We go south as far as we can & stay the nit at a
good truck stop, carry your flar gun ! Have had no kind of problems in 30 + years of baja !!
Now if we can do somthing about the shark norma thing ???????????
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tomas Tierra
puppy dog, ruff ruff
(and drive a p.o.s.) |
I'm with you.
Invest in a dog.
Most Mexicans seem to have a healthy fear of any kind of dog.
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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It takes a little more time when you first get out but you can buy a wheel lock devise that parking meter officers put on your vehicle if you have
tickets that were unpaid and they want to be paid, no towing costs. It's called a booth and your vehicle is not going anywhere with that on. You can
also get at Pep Boys a locking steering wheel device that encircles your steering wheel from the center. The only way to get around it would be to
remove the entire steering wheel, so there in lies their problem how do you move it without steering wheel attached and too much time to do that.
Alarms are just that a bunch of noise that nobody listens to anymore. Later--------------bajafun777
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Cap
Nomad
Posts: 202
Registered: 4-20-2007
Member Is Offline
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So if I only drive an old beater with no catylitic converter, have a labrador riding shot gun, a fuel pump switch, and nothing inside that I would
miss too much I will be ok? .....sounds like I am set already
Fly low, land on roads.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Norm
NEVER STOP AFTER CROSSING We go south as far as we can & stay the nit at a
good truck stop, carry your flar gun ! Have had no kind of problems in 30 + years of Baja !!
Now if we can do something about the shark norma thing ??????????? |
I am with you with the not stopping anywhere above Maneadero.
There is great RV and camping in Santo Tomas across from in town Pemex. (14.00 Dll for RV) Lot of room for boats too. Will not need a flare gun...I
realize it is difficult, but if no one stopped above Santo Tomas, the crime would soon lessen. Let us get the word out and don't stop.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2762
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
Member Is Offline
Mood: words cannot describe...
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A friend of ours had his vehicle stolen- WITH THE DOG IN IT- in Ensenada. He didn't care about the vehicle but paid a handsome reward to get his dog
back.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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i usually stop at the fish market in ensenada on the way down and back. heading south is usually no problem because we get there EARLY and there is no
problem parking right at the front door. coming home requires parking along the street near the parking area for the charter boats. the last two times
we've just hoped that the folks at the taco shops would deter thieves, and have had no problems.
now, after reading this thread i think someone will have to be designated the team "guard dog" in the future!
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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You have the power...keep stopping and let the corrupt Cops and criminals control you life or don't stop.
Please do not stop
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Al G
You have the power...keep stopping and let the corrupt Cops and criminals control you life or don't stop.
Please do not stop |
Where are you going to stop? there are about 8 auto thefts a week in Santa Rosalia. and five or 8 month here in Mulege. I dont think it gets any
better to the south. most are cars belonging to Mexicans and more than half are cars that you would not be cought dead in so the POS idea dosent work
eather
and oh yes here thay may even kill you if thay want your car
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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