Simple Kill Switch install

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 15, 2023 | 10:18 AM

#16

Black Buzzard

Tuned

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 306

Likes: 211

I think the Ravelco is simply wired into the momentary contact engine start circuit. So it's just a kill switch, which you can do yourself, and you can hide the switch under the dash somewhere. If I see a Ravelco assembly on the dash, this would tell me to just follow the wiring back to where they spliced in, and then i'd reconnect - a lot of trouble for sure, but the device is now defeated.

I use fuse pull method since I rarely park where I have concerns. When I lived in Dallas, all my trucks had hidden kill switches (more convenient than pulling fuses under hood) and even a few dummies just to confuse. Cost is really minimal.

Feb 15, 2023 | 10:57 AM

#17

SMOKEPLOE

Mountain Pass

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 189

Likes: 37

From: Ethel WA.

I installed a 60 amp circuit breaker in the battery cable to the starter. I put the circuit breaker in a not easy place to see but could reach with the hand! They tried to steal my truck twice but never got anywhere! Kill the starter nothing moves

Smokeploe

Feb 15, 2023 | 12:06 PM

#18

ks4722

Mountain Pass

Joined: Sep 2021

Posts: 166

Likes: 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastMark

23 F250 ordered. Snowmobile in Quebec a lot. A few decades ago there were truck/trailer theft rings issues there. Far less today but want peace of mind.

Any suggestions on a simple manual kill switch option I can have put inside the cab ? Anyone done this ?

I camp with my 22 f450 a lot where sometimes I'll leave my truck for a couple of days on a trailhead. I have 2 switches installed, one that is inside and kills the power to the push to start and one that is under the hood that kills the power from the battery to the starter so if they find one, they most likely won't find the one under the hood. Cost about $500 total

Feb 16, 2023 | 12:16 AM

#19

zimm

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 325

Likes: 27

From: Charlottesville VA

Does anyone have access to the wire diagrams? I'd rather intercept the fuel pump circuit than the starter. Less current to worry about. The would be thief will crank the engine over without a start, or it'll fire up and die quickly.

Feb 16, 2023 | 06:04 AM

#20

B-ManFX4

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2021

Posts: 1,409

Likes: 1,172

From: East TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimm

Year and model ?

Feb 16, 2023 | 08:58 AM

#21

Black Buzzard

Tuned

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 306

Likes: 211

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimm

The FI fuse slot is indicated in your owner's manual. And pulling this fuse will result in crank no start condition. However, thief might crank and crank draining battery and overheating starter potentially. This is why I prefer pulling the starter circuit fuse instead. Or heck, pull both the FI and starter fuses and replace with open circuit fuses (blown deliberated by shorting across battery terminal for a second) for maximum no-start prevention with no obvious open slots in fuse box.

Either way your truck will still be there when you return unless its towed.

Feb 16, 2023 | 10:16 AM

#22

jollyrogr

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 2,277

Likes: 949

Definitely do NOT interrupt the fuel pump circuit on a diesel truck unless you want to grenade your own truck's fuel system. Ignition circuits are the way to go for a diesel.

Feb 16, 2023 | 03:38 PM

#23

zimm

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 325

Likes: 27

From: Charlottesville VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-ManFX4

Year and model ?

2023 f250 7.3. Or 2022 if that's not available yet

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyrogr

Definitely do NOT interrupt the fuel pump circuit on a diesel truck unless you want to grenade your own truck's fuel system. Ignition circuits are the way to go for a diesel.

Didn't think about that on a diesel. Diesels have ignition circuits? I ordered a 7.3 so fuel pump kill should work for me.

FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Joe Kucinski

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Brett Foote

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

Pouria Savadkouei

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Brett Foote

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Joe Kucinski

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Brett Foote

Feb 16, 2023 | 04:15 PM

#24

jollyrogr

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 2,277

Likes: 949

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimm

Disnt think about that on a diesel. Diesels have ignition circuits? I ordered a 7.3 so fuel pump kill should work for me.

Regardless of diesel or gas, there's circuits from the key switch or pushbutton start to the PCM/BCM.

Feb 16, 2023 | 06:37 PM

#25

Monoman67

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2021

Posts: 887

Likes: 370

Ravelco is interesting but does any of this matter if they are taking them with tow trucks?

Feb 17, 2023 | 12:03 AM

#26

jollyrogr

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 2,277

Likes: 949

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monoman67

Ravelco is interesting but does any of this matter if they are taking them with tow trucks?

Nope. It's gone then.

Feb 17, 2023 | 04:11 AM

#27

EastMark

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 205

Likes: 86

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monoman67

Ravelco is interesting but does any of this matter if they are taking them with tow trucks?

True but of all stolen vehicles the percentage taken by tow vs drive off is rising but still very minimal. I read an article about the big spike in towed thefts in DC which is one of the worst places in the country for theft rings a few months ago…they steal 18 a day there.

3 stolen via tow that entire month and was unusual enough to trigger an article to be written. They also mentioned some reported stolen via tow end up to be repo’s or illegally parked making them hard to investigate and quantify. It happens but not much.

It’s rare and no reason not to consider trying something IMO.

Feb 17, 2023 | 10:21 AM

#28

Garbageman 134

More Turbo

Joined: Mar 2022

Posts: 585

Likes: 173

Where can I interrupt the starter relay wire between the fuse and the relay inside the cab? That's where I want to install a cut off switch

22 F250 7.3

Feb 17, 2023 | 01:56 PM

#29

Black Buzzard

Tuned

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 306

Likes: 211

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garbageman 134

Where can I interrupt the starter relay wire between the fuse and the relay inside the cab? That's where I want to install a cut off switch

22 F250 7.3

I dont think the key-on, engine start position impulse wire at the key switch is what actuates the solenoid directly. What you want to do is probe the wire bundle(s) connector that exits the steering column area under the dash with a multimeter to find that momentary "on" 12 volt signal that turns on the engine. And there are a lot of wires exiting the column. Thats what I did with my chevy years ago, and spliced in a switch to that wire under the dash. Have not done this to my Ford.

This is probably something for those that are comfortable fooling around with wiring and multimeters. A Ford wiring diagram would quicken the process, but I dont have access to that.

Feb 17, 2023 | 02:15 PM

#30

Hybryd40

Cross-Country

Joined: Feb 2022

Posts: 64

Likes: 81

From: Fort Wayne Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garbageman 134

Where can I interrupt the starter relay wire between the fuse and the relay inside the cab? That's where I want to install a cut off switch

22 F250 7.3

20-22 Super Duty
Starter Blue/White + At Ignition Switch, black 7 pin plug, pin 7
Ignition
White/Orange + At Ignition Switch, black 7 pin plug, pin 1

Reply Share

First
Prev
2 / 4
Next
Last

Forum Jump