dwb 874runner
New member
Wanting to install a kill switch in my 87 runner. Just looking to see what the best way to do it is and what exactly I need to tie into?
Best way to do a kill switch?
- Thread starter dwb 874runner
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
4runnerBrett
New member
Best way is to wire a switch into the fuel pump. That's how I do it but I dont bother anymore since I never really ended up using it. I tie it into the ground wire and hide a switch somewhere.
Last edited:
USE911
New member
^Agree. Fuel pump is the way to go.
I asked this same question a few months back. This thread should help.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/113804-anti-theft-ideas.html
X2. The truck acts like it wants to start but wont.
Pyroboy
New member
You can also splice into the EFI relay and/or the ignitor circuits. All three will waste a theif's time getting it to crank but it won't start. Make your wiring solid but don't make it totally inaccessible in case you need to override it on a trail. It's one more thing that could fail and strand you.
4runnerBrett
New member
Fuel pump is also funny because it will start and thief will be like oh yeah then it will die within 5 seconds and he will be confused.
If you do end up splicing and dicing the wiring for either the fuel pump, ignition etc; I recommend actually soldering the wires together and covering it with heat shrink tubing. The last thing you want to happen, is to be using butt connectors and have one of them come loose while your driving/wheeling; then be sitting there for hours troubleshooting all the systems.
Oh and another important point; don't forget you wired in a switch in the first place!! It isn't fun sitting there trying to start your vehicle (be MILES away from home) and it won't start because you forgot to hit the switch...ask me how I know! :lol:
KidVermicious
New member
A buddy of mine had a kill switch to the fuel pump on his Bronco. Two times that I can remember he came to his truck and found the battery dead because a thief had run it down trying to get the truck to start. 
Yep... I spend 2 days, off and on, trying to start my Jeep after a month long wrenching session. Then it dawned on me... kill switch.
dwb 874runner
New member
Cool thanks for all the help guys and I will defiantly solder the wires.
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
I prefer the basic, low-tech ideas. Less things to break.
Kill switches for fuel, ignition and cranking would all waste a thief's time, and hopefully make him move on to someone else's Cadillac.
How about a second set of horn and horn relay? Connect so as long as ignition's on the added relay-horn combo stays on, unless you turn a hidden switch off.
Basically same as car alarm sound without fancy electronics. Hide and mount horn and relay securely so harder to find and disconnect. Wire so it also activates stock horn.
Then, if he figures all the above out, a timer (ok, higher-tech) that after 5 minutes of driving, will activate smoke generator under dash.
Then, a hidden camera that would record thief's reaction. Bwaa-hah-hah!
Kill switches for fuel, ignition and cranking would all waste a thief's time, and hopefully make him move on to someone else's Cadillac.
How about a second set of horn and horn relay? Connect so as long as ignition's on the added relay-horn combo stays on, unless you turn a hidden switch off.
Basically same as car alarm sound without fancy electronics. Hide and mount horn and relay securely so harder to find and disconnect. Wire so it also activates stock horn.
Then, if he figures all the above out, a timer (ok, higher-tech) that after 5 minutes of driving, will activate smoke generator under dash.
Then, a hidden camera that would record thief's reaction. Bwaa-hah-hah!
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
Last edited:
85straight
New member
Reviving this thread for a simple question, figure its better than starting a new thread.
I bought a simple on/off switch at local auto parts store. I plan to use it as a kill switch for the ground on the fuel pump. It is as simple as it seems right? I tend to overthink things at times so I wonder if I need a in-line fuse( shouldn't because the wires not hot right?) .
So to re-iterate my dumbass question simply splice the switch into the ground wire hide the switch and done?
I bought a simple on/off switch at local auto parts store. I plan to use it as a kill switch for the ground on the fuel pump. It is as simple as it seems right? I tend to overthink things at times so I wonder if I need a in-line fuse( shouldn't because the wires not hot right?) .
So to re-iterate my dumbass question simply splice the switch into the ground wire hide the switch and done?
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
Yes, that would work if there is a ground wire coming out of fuse pump. . No need for fuse.
giro
New member
The problem there is that it's obvious that there's a kill switch, or that something's mucked up....unlike the fuel pump switch.
Going off a previous post, if really worried about it, one way is to do a double kill switch. For the first, make it so instead of giving the starter power, it gives the horn power. Thief's hate attention. And that should prevent the battery being worn down.
But then the switch on the fuel pump sounds ideal too. Add that. There's a slim chance that they may go looking for that if they still couldn't get it running after defeating switch A, and switch A would be more obvious since it would be connected to the horn. But it seems like that would be a good setup, especially for those that leave their vehicles in remote places.
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
I like that idea
All we're doing is deter theft, so anything to urge them to move on to another vehicle* is good.
(*Another 4Runner that's less protected? LOL!)
