Jeep broken into

[MiniJ]

Today's lesson is: Don't leave your spare jeep key tucked in the bottom of your center console, even hidden under a bunch of junk.

Why?

Someone "broke" into my jeep last night at my apartment. It wasn't locked, because I have the soft top on, and don't want my windows slashed. So, they just hopped right in after trying the doors.

They rifled through the center console, most likely looking for stuff to steal (camera, ipod, cds, etc), but since I have none of that, they took the only thing of value which was the spare key (which I'd dropped in there two days ago, b/c i'd had both keys on the same ring and didn't want to lose my keys and lose both of them. :banghead:)

Two other cars in the lot were also broke into, and out of those they stole a portable dvd player, camera, cd's, ipod and some other crap.

They tried taking my CB, which is sitting on the dash...but after trying to disconnect the wires and unscrew it from it's base, they found that the sticky tape and velcro being used to secure it to my dash was a bit much for them and they just left it. Now I have to reconnect the wires and get a new fuse, but they didn't appear to damage it in any way.

Nothing else was disturbed, not the spare change, pair of boots, expensive glasses, some clothes and my cd case which was under the seat. all of that is still there.

So...the question of the day becomes: Do I get the jeep rekeyed (approx: $200 for ignition and $150 each door) or just hope they won't come back? Insurance won't cover anything because "keys get lost and stolen all the time". They said they would cover it, however, if they came back and actually STOLE the car next time. Yeah, that's comforting to know.

Anyone have any experience with this, or thoughts? Chances are, they would've stolen the car right then if that's what they wanted, so they won't likely come back for it, but the could come back for stuff (which I just won't leave in it.) However, it's still very unsettling to know someone has my spare car key that unlocks the doors and starts the car.

Gah, what a F'ing way to start my monday morning. :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

[95geo]

A- dont worry about it, make sure you have full coverage and dont leave anything valuable in it. If it gets stolen then let insurance cover it.

B- wire up an ignition switch cutout switch under the dash. when you leave your truck flick the (very well hidden) switch and unless they find the switch or hotwire it you dont have much to worry about other than being able to unlock the steering column maybe depending on what power wire you tap into.

good luck!

[joe_jeep]

sorry for your luck! at least no one got hurt, and it wasnt stolen. a jeep can be replaced with a better one! i would not shell out the money to re key it. if the insurance company wanted it re keyed they would have had it done. its in their hands now. if your lucky if it gets taken and you can get a nice slightly used rubicon to replace it with:poke:. good luck!

[phittie1100]

If you aren't going to re-key, you should remove all of your aftermarket goodies, because WHEN it gets stolen, they generally do not pay you for non-factory items.

[Jarhead]

I am cheap and I would rekey it just for piece of mind ( i can't afford to lose much more).

[MiniJ]

this was a suggestion from another board:
"GM vehicles can be rekeyed just by changing the tumblers in the ignition and door locks. I don't know about jeeps though. You could go and get a set of keys from a junk yard if you want and have them rekeyed to that."


Does anyone else know about this? I didn't see why it would cost so much for each door in the first place? (besides the dealership just wanting to rip me off??)

What about a local locksmith? Can they do that type of work?

I'm thinking that I'll just have ignition rekeyed so they can't steal the Jeep. Half the year it has no top or doors anyway, so what's the point of having the doors rekeyed? the only good reason to lock it is while out xmas shopping and the gifts are in the back, and if the thief finds my car in the mall parking lot, well, guess it's his lucky day.

[MiniJ]

I called dealership again and they can just change the tumblers and cut me a new key for around $100 (mostly labor)....that's better than the $250 for a whole new ignition cylinder.


What a day...first the jeep, then a bad waitress at lunch, then i walked off leaving my leftovers on the table, then I dropped my cell phone on the ground and I now gave myself a nasty papercut....what else could go wrong today!?!?! :banghead: I'd like to go back to bed and start over.

[95geo]

What a day...first the jeep, then a bad waitress at lunch, then i walked off leaving my leftovers on the table, then I dropped my cell phone on the ground and I now gave myself a nasty papercut....what else could go wrong today!?!?! :banghead: I'd like to go back to bed and start over.

aside from your jeep getting broken into it sounds like one of my average days. :hysterical:

I'd still wire up a switch for the ignition power. It can be done in probably 15 minutes and for $5 if you can look up what wire is the master power for the ignition key in the full service manual.

[MiniJ]

I'd still wire up a switch for the ignition power. It can be done in probably 15 minutes and for $5 if you can look up what wire is the master power for the ignition key in the full service manual.

While you make that sound so simple, I'd have no clue how to actually do that. I'm good with mechanical stuff and parts, but when it comes to wiring and electrical work, I'm such a girl.

[JerryD]

Dang. That stinks.

I agree with Jarhead (on both counts :D). I'd have 'em change the tumblers but I'd also document (with pics and receipts if you can) any after market items you may have installed. The insurance agent may not cover everything, but if you can prove some added value then you might get a bit more if it is stolen.

I agree partially about a cut-out switch. In fact, if you get an "old-style" high-beam switch (floor-mounted) and put it under the carpet, chances are a thief would never notice it. I wouldn't use the ignition circuit unless you knew what you were doing. People that have neglected to properly protect wiring from abrasions and heat can end up with a melted truck pretty quick. I'd probably tie in to the fuel injection/pump circuit or the neutral safety switch. 'Course you might just be able to just pull the fuse for the fuel pump but that's awkward and if someone was watching they could easily guess what you've done -- that's why I like the footswitch.

And it doesn't matter if you're a "girl" about electrical. You either do it or have someone you trust do it. Either way, it's good to learn a bit about the systems so that your better prepared to deal with things (or service managers) if something goes wrong. ;)

Cheers,
Jerry

[MiniJ]

Dang. That stinks.

I agree with Jarhead (on both counts :D). I'd have 'em change the tumblers but I'd also document (with pics and receipts if you can) any after market items you may have installed. The insurance agent may not cover everything, but if you can prove some added value then you might get a bit more if it is stolen.

so that your better prepared to deal with things (or service managers) if something goes wrong. ;)


The only aftermarket stuff I have are skid plates and rock rails, both of which I have pictures. and my CB. I'm still stock with no major installations.

And yes on dealing with service managers!!... I get so frustrated with the local dealership since I usually know what I'm talking about, and they try and treat me like I don't. Or they don't do it right the first time and I have to take it back and say "fix it right this time!" (and our local dealer is down right awful...i wrote chrysler a letter not too long ago complaining about the shoddy service and work they do. We'll see how this new repair goes.)

[keithshotrodshop]

I've replaced dozens of tumblers over the years, usually because someone lost the keys to one of our work trucks. I have all the tools to do so, but they are also obtainable at most auto parts stores. You'll need a steering wheel puller, snap ring pliers, and a lock plate press. The last you might have to go to a few stores for, it's a simple u-shaped device with various attachments for different models. Mine cost me about 40 bucks. Tearing a column apart seems difficult, but once you've stolen.....repaired a few cars, it's a cake walk. First time I did one took me about an hour.

[USMC 0369]

I'd certainly re-key the ignition at least. Like you said, if you have the soft top on then there's no need to lock the doors.

You never know why they didn't take the CB or anything else. Someone could have startled them or they got scared for some reason and took off, expecting to come back another day.

I know our insurance won't pay for anything unless you have it listed with them prior to the vehicle being stolen. So whenever I do something to the vehicle (upgrade), I take pictures and send them receipt copies so they will cover it. Oddly, my insurance goes up too...hmmmm

[MiniJ]

Just got the Jeep back from the dealership. Had the ignition tumbler changed to a new key. So, now I have one for doors and one for ignition but that's ok.

At least I'll feel safer parking at my apartment again. I've been staying elsewhere the past couple nights just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the ideas and support...I am interested in the ignition switch that Bryce was talking about, I just don't know how to do it. That will be a project for later I guess.

[JerryD]

...I am interested in the ignition switch that Bryce was talking about, I just don't know how to do it. That will be a project for later I guess.

I knew I had stumbled across something on this not too long ago. I was looking at info on the Jeepaholics site and some stuff there led me to this guy and his article about a TJ kill switch. I've just skimmed through it, but is sure seems like he did his homework. At the end of the article he even mentions alternatives to his solution.

Here's a link (http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=530365&referrerid=74549) to an online version, here's his homepage (http://home.att.net/%7Eemail.id/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html) where you can download the Word document, and I was even able to find a link (http://www.northridge4x4.com/proddetail.php?prod=ORO-ADE-II) to purchase a pre-made kit.

Cheers,
Jerry