When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Every now and then I’ll leave my truck running if I have to just run into the store quick, have to get my daughter from daycare, or some other quick stop…..usually just to keep the A/C or heat running, or if I have a lot of stops around town, it keeps me from having to start the truck 15 times a day.
It makes me nervous as hell though that someone’s going to jump in and drive off with my truck….so most of the time I just shut it off and take the keys.
I was wondering….is there any kind of simple wiring mod you could do with an upfitter switch that would kill the truck if someone jumped in and hit the brake pedal? Either where you could turn the switch on and it would allow you to turn the truck off and remove the key, but would keep it running as long as the switch was on, and you didn’t hit the brake pedal? Or maybe some other way to wire it in where you left the key in the ignition, but if you hit the brake pedal it would kill the motor until you turned the switch off and restarted it?
Just something that would be a simple way to prevent someone from jumping in a running truck and being able to drive off. I would think that if someone knew the wiring schematics and PCM good enough, they could come up with something
Try two keys, one to start and run, the other in your pocket to lock and unlock the door. I started carrying two keys when I started going out of town to work in my '03 xlt without a keypad entry. You can lock the key in that truck so I carried two keys, that way I always had a key in my pocket. In my '05 with the keypad I have a key and a fob on one ring and just a key on another ring. I use the key without the fob to start and run the truck. If I want to leave it running when I get out, I just lock or unlock the door(s) with the fob or the keypad.
You could also use "The Club" with the club key in your pocket.
Try two keys, one to start and run, the other in your pocket to lock and unlock the door. I started carrying two keys when I started going out of town to work in my '03 xlt without a keypad entry. You can lock the key in that truck so I carried two keys, that way I always had a key in my pocket. In my '05 with the keypad I have a key and a fob on one ring and just a key on another ring. I use the key without the fob to start and run the truck. If I want to leave it running when I get out, I just lock or unlock the door(s) with the fob or the keypad.
You could also use "The Club" with the club key in your pocket.
Those are my low tech sugestions.
X2 when I had the hot start problem thats exactly how I did it.
You can get an aftermarket remotestart installed it maybe more than your wanting to spend but you can do exactly what your wanting by by pressing the start button while the truck is already running then you can remove and take the keys with you and also lock the truck if it get in and step on the the brake pedal it will kill the engine immediately. Most of the better manufactures have ones that can be set up for diesels as well with the ability to change the time from on to cranking for the glow plugs and run times when started remotely. This is really your best option and does everything you want just a little pricey. If you do go this route getting a 2 way system is a must in my opinion.
I agree with the OP regarding an aftermarket remote start/alarm system. I have one on my truck and it allows me to leave the engine running and exit and lock the truck. If anyone hits the brake as stated it kills the engine
The PO on my previous f250 installed a switch to lock the shifter in park. Basically it connected to the shift interlock solenoid and when it was activated it wouldn’t shift out of park. Don’t know exactly how he did it or if he bought a kit for it, but the switch was hidden under the dash and unless you knew exactly where and what you were looking for, you’d never locate it. It worked great and I left it running all the time during the summer for around the town chores like you mentioned.
The PO on my previous f250 installed a switch to lock the shifter in park. Basically it connected to the shift interlock solenoid and when it was activated it wouldn’t shift out of park. Don’t know exactly how he did it or if he bought a kit for it, but the switch was hidden under the dash and unless you knew exactly where and what you were looking for, you’d never locate it. It worked great and I left it running all the time during the summer for around the town chores like you mentioned.
Yep.....something simple and easy like that is what I'm really wanting. Sure I could go out and pay $300+ to have someone install an alarm system in my truck with a remote start......just not sure I want to deal with that right now. But something like you mentioned with the shift solenoid would be just about perfect.
I have an Excalibur alarm/remote start and it has the feature you are looking for. Put the truck in park, press the button on the windshield twice, turn key to off, remove key and truck will stay running for 10 minutes, or die if the brake pedal is pushed. It cost around $120.00 at Amazon and it only has about 16 wires that have to be hooked to the truck wiring.
Or you can use the redneck method that I did the last time I left my truck at the long term parking at the airport.
Maybe use a shorter piece of chain and only put it on one handle.
I have an Excalibur alarm/remote start and it has the feature you are looking for. Put the truck in park, press the button on the windshield twice, turn key to off, remove key and truck will stay running for 10 minutes, or die if the brake pedal is pushed. It cost around $120.00 at Amazon and it only has about 16 wires that have to be hooked to the truck wiring.
Or you can use the redneck method that I did the last time I left my truck at the long term parking at the airport.
Maybe use a shorter piece of chain and only put it on one handle.
You triggered a flashback for me. That was a system the military used in the 80's except the chain was bolted to the floor seat bracket and then looped through the steering wheel. All the military Chevy's back then took the same key so that was the personalized way of securing it, with a padlock.
But for the O.P., I'm assuming you dont have the keypad? I use that to lock and unlock with it running.
I use the two key approach. I have a bunch of keys on a keychain that I keep on my belt loop and a single loose key for the truck that I just leave in the truck when it's running.
But, I'm leaving the truck running because my 80 lb dog is always in it and that probably scares away most thieves.
Don't have much experience with cats, but I picked up my mother's right after she passed (I forget why), and he didn't like that. I won't ever pick up another. He latched on to my back like acupuncture needles. Then he escaped out the door and I never saw him again. Left food and water out but he was gone. I felt bad, but my shoulder felt worse.
Don't have much experience with cats, but I picked up my mother's right after she passed (I forget why), and he didn't like that. I won't ever pick up another. He latched on to my back like acupuncture needles. Then he escaped out the door and I never saw him again. Left food and water out but he was gone. I felt bad, but my shoulder felt worse.
Some love to be picked up others want you to become friends first and the last bunch only want food and to
be left alone.Then there are the ones that have bonded to only one human.
Ok, so curiosity got the better of me. I went out to my truck and started it (FYI it is 95 degrees here so you had better appreciate this), I put my foot on the brake pedal and moved the shift lever out of PARK. I put it back in PARK and crawled under the dash to the brake pedal and unplugged the connector. I pulled my way back into the seat and pressed the brake pedal and tried to shift from PARK. No go, shifter wouldn't move. I didn't try to force it because I didn't want to damage it. I went back to the brake pedal and plugged the connector back in. Back to the seat and pressed brake pedal and shifter was back to normal.
Therefore one of the wires from that connector allows the shifter interlock to allow the shifter to move when the brake pedal is pushed. So a simple disable would be to figure out which wire and cut it. Take each end of it to a simple toggle switch, NOT THE UPFITTER THAT IS POWERED, and when the toggle switch is on, the column shifts like normal. When the toggle switch is off, no shift.
I can not get it to print out, but if I am reading the wiring diagram correctly for my 2006 the RD/LG wire is the one that goes to the shift solenoid that allows the column to shift when the brake pedal is pushed. No I am not curious enough to cut my wiring to test this theory.
Yes, I broke the little tab doing this experiment.
I am sure Yahiko can get you the wiring diagram for the Shift Interlock for your truck if you ask.
Simple Security Mod with an Upfitter Switch?
