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Organised Chaos

Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 56

2008 Defender 130 Puma 2.4 HCPU Cairns Blue

Factory Fitted Alarm

Here's one for the good people of this forum to Mull over.

It's about a year ago when some scumbag nicked the bonnet and
seats from my 08 defender.

This was done by cutting a single wire underneath the vehicle
and this disables all the elctrical systems connected to the
fuse box under the drivers seat, which includes the alarm
system.

The only protection this wire as is that it is run in a
flexible plastic conduit which can be cut in less than a
second with a standard pair of wire cutters.

The vehicle was off the road for 6 wks for repairs as there
where a shortage of seats at the time.

The vehicle was then taken to a dealer on the instructions of
customer care. The dealer then photographed the wire in question
and a few other things and forward them to land Rover technical
and the feed back I got after that was they where working on
a fix.

Well the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months
and the months turn into nearly a year waiting for the phone call
to say a fix was available, and the only reply to my calls was they
are still working on it. And then one day you weigh up the contents
of the phone calls and you suddenly get the gut feeling your being
fobbed off.

Well it was then pen to paper and the usual if you don't sort the
problem out we are going to court to sort the problem out. Well I
won't bore you with details but the outcome was due to the costs
involved they are not going to fix the problem, ( They made this
descision months ago but failed to tell me ), and they would not
give me a letter to guarantee the warranty on the vehicle if myself
or a third party fixed the problem.

I don't know if this is the same for the 07 or 09 vehicles but it effects the 08
vehicles.

31st Jul 2009 7:57am

jlerra

Member Since: 10 Jul 2009
Location: Gibraltar/London
Posts: 149

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black

Very worrying!!!
Seems that Derbyshire is a hot spot for Defender thefts?
My 07 truck has no wire as you describe! and I have an anti theft device fro LR.
Perhaps a secondary anti theft device would be useful.

jlerra
'El Pepe Flamenco'

JLS
'El Pepe Flamenco'

31st Jul 2009 9:46am

Grockle

Member Since: 24 Nov 2008
Location: Peak District National Park
Posts: 2266

2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green

OC,it always boils down to the cost. 2.4 90 XS
1968 1/32 scale Britains 109 Pick up.

31st Jul 2009 10:03am

Organised Chaos

Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 56

Hi jlerra,

Your right there my TD5 tipper was nicked off the drive and that's why i replaced it with a new 130 county version
as it as the factory alarm fitted.

if your alarm is connected to the fuse box under the drivers seat, just follow the fuse box supply cable back to the battery. On mine the supply cable from the fuse box goes through the side of the compartment under the drivers seat then through a plastic flexible conduit over the top of the gearbox and then through into the battery box under the passenger seat.

The criminal faternity know about this so it's not going to do any harm if it's discussed on the forums.

the local independent land rover garage told me this has happened to couple of other defenders that he knows about.

31st Jul 2009 11:18am

jlerra

Member Since: 10 Jul 2009
Location: Gibraltar/London
Posts: 149

Hi Grockle,
On my LHD Defender (European Spec) all the alarm wiring goes on the top of the engine bay under the bonnet!
So, no alarm wiring under the engine. However the exception is the connection to the horn. I have done a 'Heath Robinson' modification inserting the wires through a fine metal conduit - just in case!

jlerra
'El pepe flamenco' JLS
'El Pepe Flamenco'

31st Jul 2009 11:27am

Organised Chaos

Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 56

Hi Grockle,

I work on the ferries on the north sea and one of my many jobs is to look after the onboard security systems and if there is any issue with any of the systems they get fixed regardless of cost, but that does not seem to be the case shore side. There are no standards now days and companies just want to rip you off / fob you off with any old crap and not take any responsibilities for the products they produce if you know what I mean.

Time to get off the soap box and have a brew all the best.

31st Jul 2009 11:40am

niglyn

Member Since: 12 Jun 2009
Location: Surrey
Posts: 82

2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

Sounds like a good aftermarket alarm is needs that includes a backup battery for the sounder. I had one on my 300tdsi. It had a little silver lug on the dashboard which you had to touch with a fob to un-immobilise the vehicle. I have no idea what make it was, was there when I bought the vehicle. I did try to follow the wiring to see how it worked but gave up. If the vehicle battey was disconnected it work wail like a banchie. It made a very distinctive noise if the hooter was also soiunding from the LR factory alarm as well.

I have been trying to thing of an immobiliser to stop our LRs being pushed. I have seen padlocks & hasps fitted under the handbrakes to stop them being released. I was thinking of a one way valve on the brake hydrolics, so the brakes would lock on & would make an awful noise if towed. Not sure if such things exist. Fuel line taps can be fitted, to stop the supply of fuel. I'm planning to fit one to my kit car, which is ford based so easily nickable.

31st Jul 2009 5:50pm

alantd

Member Since: 14 Dec 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 1513

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green

What does the Mechlock do? IIRC it locks the clutch open so no power can be engaged. That doesn't stop it getting pushed or pulled away but does stop someone driving it.

I had also thought of installing a tap in the fuel line but that doesn't stop towers either.

I guess you can't really stop someone turning up with a lorry. You can only stop people nicking your kit and driving it away:

Lockable cubby
Titanium weave laminate on the glass (clear or tint)
Dog guard + rear window guards
External additional locks
Fuel pipe interrupt
Mechlock
Tracker
Good insurance

I reckon that's the escalation One that started out as a 2.4 TDCi 110 XS
+ New Defender 110 First Edition

31st Jul 2009 11:13pm

Organised Chaos

Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 56

Hi niglyn,

I have been looking at fitting an additional alarm there is a lot of nice industrial stuff on the market to build up a one off system.

The other thing is to have a tracker fitted then you get a text message from the control centre if the vehicle is moved more than a few meters without the ignition turned on.

Just had a look at the Mecklock what alantd as mentioned, would it work in the hydraulic break circuit.

1st Aug 2009 6:47am

fekete

Member Since: 24 Dec 2008
Location: Here on the other end of the computer
Posts: 3626

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Bonatti Grey

Yes i'm afraid all the alarm systems in the world won't stop them,
the only way is a Tracker then you no you will get it back NEVER TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY. NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE ANYWAY

1st Aug 2009 9:50am

mse

Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5035

2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey

A Couple of questions..or issues.

The alarm sounder is already battery backed up...i know this for a fact because i forgot (my older defenders didnt have alarms) and just disconnected the battery.

Im not sure what the cable runs are (there are more than one) but its interesting this weakness, if this is the weakness.

Another question - did you not have it insured? if so, the theft and damage would be covered by insurance, NOT warranty - the issue, maybe a formal complaint later - but i would have gone through the main dealer with my insurance company then to land rover to ensure a fit for purpose resolution.

Only problem is - most cars have weaknesses like this - its just the Defender is a very desirable car. Mike

1st Aug 2009 10:09am

Ads90

Member Since: 16 Jun 2008
Location: Cots-on-the-Wolds
Posts: 809

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Keswick Green

I know it's tempting, but seriously - I wouldn't go messing with the brake circuit...
I think there are foot brake circuit locks available outside the EU, but (IIRC) they are illegal within.
And probably for good reason - a failure here for an after-market brake device doesn't bear thinking about...

Handbrake & clutch I'm sure are fair game - failure would be much less lethal.

1st Aug 2009 10:27am

niglyn

Member Since: 12 Jun 2009
Location: Surrey
Posts: 82

Alan, you forgot the 12 bore in your list.

As for brake locks, I shall have a shifty round t'inernet. If they are designed correctly, they will 'fail safe' and so a malfunction is not an issue.

I reckon most landies that get nicked must towed away, can't see how they can start the engine with the key fob required to be near the ignition barrel & all things controlled by the ecu. Gone are the days of snapping the steering lock & hot wiring. This is why I like the brakes locked on idea, unless it was a 4 wheel lift, would be very difficult to tow.

Would be good to know how landies get nicked, towed/hot-wired/low-loader etc so as we can target our efforts to make things more difficult.

1st Aug 2009 8:17pm

Organised Chaos

Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 56

mse wrote:
A Couple of questions..or issues.

The alarm sounder is already battery backed up...i know this for a fact because i forgot (my older defenders didnt have alarms) and just disconnected the battery.

Im not sure what the cable runs are (there are more than one) but its interesting this weakness, if this is the weakness.

Another question - did you not have it insured? if so, the theft and damage would be covered by insurance, NOT warranty - the issue, maybe a formal complaint later - but i would have gone through the main dealer with my insurance company then to land rover to ensure a fit for purpose resolution.

Only problem is - most cars have weaknesses like this - its just the Defender is a very desirable car.

Unfortunatley the battery backup was not part of the County package but it was on the list of factory fitted options. I did wonder why a battery backup was on the list of options, and I found out the hard way. The only problem with this option is that you generaly have to replace the battery pack every 5yrs or so, but it does not prevent a person from cutting the wires under the vehicle.

I reckon the design team for Dinky toys could have done a better job than the Defender design team.

I do have fully comp insurance and they took the vehicle away, fixed it and I fetched it back, but the down side of this, was that although the Land Rover insurance did not go up, I got hammered on my motorcycle insurance to which I have not had any claims.

I have been looking on the internet for any legal case histories but wading through millions of hit takes time.

2nd Aug 2009 7:34am

Grockle

Member Since: 24 Nov 2008
Location: Peak District National Park
Posts: 2266

OC ,the battary back up was a factory option even on the xs. 2.4 90 XS
1968 1/32 scale Britains 109 Pick up.

Last edited by Grockle on 3rd Aug 2009 11:35am. Edited 1 time in total

3rd Aug 2009 8:38am

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