Crazy anti-theft idea
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ok so I'm cruising around the auto parts store, like I do, and a crazy idea pops into my head for a kill switch/ car alarm.
The basic idea is if the switch isn't on then the cars horn will sound when attempting to start it and the car will not turn over.
With that in my head I searched for a generalized 5 prong relay and this is what I came up with.
Pin 30 from the ignition
Pin 87A to the horn
Pin 87 to starter
And pins 85 & 86 would ground or switch (either way should work)
This is assuming the picture is showing an unpowered relay otherwise 87 and 87A will be switched.
So is this idea plausible?
The basic idea is if the switch isn't on then the cars horn will sound when attempting to start it and the car will not turn over.
With that in my head I searched for a generalized 5 prong relay and this is what I came up with.
Pin 30 from the ignition
Pin 87A to the horn
Pin 87 to starter
And pins 85 & 86 would ground or switch (either way should work)
This is assuming the picture is showing an unpowered relay otherwise 87 and 87A will be switched.
So is this idea plausible?
Last edited by PNWjeeper; Nov 26, 2015 at 01:54 AM.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So the thought is when the switch is OFF the ignition will power the horn and not the starter, and when the switch is ON it will power the starter and not the horn.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 3
From: Hudsonville, MI
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 5.0
A couple bucks will get you a on/off switch that can go behind the lighter. Can either go in the ignition or starter. This will work if you don't smoke.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I've had to deal with an aftermarket alarm system before in my previous Cherokee that killed my horn and lights when it was in and had to figure out a way to hot wire the lights after I pulled it out. Now I don't know who installed it but I'd rather not deal with that again.
It's basically the same idea as this but adding a relay so that if the switch isn't on the horn honks if it's trying to be started.
It's basically the same idea as this but adding a relay so that if the switch isn't on the horn honks if it's trying to be started.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Still no confirmation on wether this will work or not though.
I figure this cheap I've got a switch in my dash that's not used, power/comfort trans, I've got lots of wire, I've got plenty of female spade ends and butt splices, all I need to do is pick up an $11 relay at the store or get one for less at a junk yard.
I figure this cheap I've got a switch in my dash that's not used, power/comfort trans, I've got lots of wire, I've got plenty of female spade ends and butt splices, all I need to do is pick up an $11 relay at the store or get one for less at a junk yard.
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Ok so I'm cruising around the auto parts store, like I do, and a crazy idea pops into my head for a kill switch/ car alarm.
The basic idea is if the switch isn't on then the cars horn will sound when attempting to start it and the car will not turn over.
With that in my head I searched for a generalized 5 prong relay and this is what I came up with.
Pin 30 from the ignition
Pin 87A to the horn
Pin 87 to starter
And pins 85 & 86 would ground or switch (either way should work)
This is assuming the picture is showing an unpowered relay otherwise 87 and 87A will be switched.
So is this idea plausible?
The basic idea is if the switch isn't on then the cars horn will sound when attempting to start it and the car will not turn over.
With that in my head I searched for a generalized 5 prong relay and this is what I came up with.
Pin 30 from the ignition
Pin 87A to the horn
Pin 87 to starter
And pins 85 & 86 would ground or switch (either way should work)
This is assuming the picture is showing an unpowered relay otherwise 87 and 87A will be switched.
So is this idea plausible?
CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 12
From: Ontario, Canada
Year: 1989 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L 6 Renix
Go ahead and do it.
Will stop crimes of opportunity. That perp is probably our biggest threats.
If the TRUE professional comes by. Will probably pass up the old wheeler for a newer model.
Will stop crimes of opportunity. That perp is probably our biggest threats.
If the TRUE professional comes by. Will probably pass up the old wheeler for a newer model.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
And this I understand, I know that there is always a way to get it if they really want it. A couple months back we were having regular thefts in our city (it's really two towns close together so it might as well be one) most of the thefts were Hondas and a few newer then mine jeeps (late 90+). Since then I've just been removing (for lack of knowledge of the correct term) the **** beads out of the shifter, but I was looking for something a little easier.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
Mine is not a DD so when I am not going to be driving it, I just pull the ASD relay. It tries to turn over, but won't ever start.
Last edited by thebyus; Nov 29, 2015 at 03:48 PM.
Switch "ON" you would want to send 12V to pin 85
pin 86 is ground.
I applaud your idea but when was the last time you heard a vehicle horn/alarm and you (or anyone for that matter) did something about it?
pin 86 is ground.
I applaud your idea but when was the last time you heard a vehicle horn/alarm and you (or anyone for that matter) did something about it?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for the clarification.
This is true, but it would make me feel a little better at least. Also it would be funny to watch my wife or friends try to start my jeep and hearing the horn honk with them going WTF.
I applaud your idea but when was the last time you heard a vehicle horn/alarm and you (or anyone for that matter) did something about it?


