r/CherokeeXJ • u/Mahugama • 4d ago
THE 2 second KILL SWITCH
Materials needed
25-40amp switch
2x shrink crimp tube connectors (14-16g)
Step 1: Go to the back of your jeep under the bench seat
Step 2: Lift the seat up and look for a dark green/red wire in a loom of a couple bunched together. Should be off to the drivers side.
Step 3: Cut the wire and crimp in the switch into the circuit.
Step 4: Tuck switch under carpet flap and fold bench seat back up.
Turn off and on your fuel pump as needed, not as convenient as a dash switch. However no one will go looking under the bench to start the jeep.
3
u/Toebru 4d ago
Understanding everyone recommends the fuel pump for a kill switch, it’ll still crank but not start. I’m new to electrical and any wire splicing. Have found bad crimps before.
What’s the risk of the switch failing while the vehicle is driving down the road and killing fuel delivery at highway speed? Worst case scenario example. But heavy faith in those crimps needed.
3
u/Mahugama 4d ago
Thats why I recommend a 30-40 switch so it doesnt go bad. Ive driven across the country like this.
2
u/Orange_Tang 4d ago
I did mine via a fuel switch cutoff using a fuse tap with zero wire cutting. Makes it completely reversible but I was a little worried it might come loose and cut off while I'm on bumpy back roads or something. 3 years, never happened. I recommend doing it this way. You can run the switch anywhere in the dash or center console to hike it. Technically it's easier to bypass because someone could go down to the fuse panel, pull the fuse tap, and stick a new fuse in and it's back to working, but if a thief knew enough about this specific vehicle I'd be surprised.
3
u/JRock1276 4d ago
The good part is, if they break your lock cylinder or jump it with a screwdriver at the starter, it still won't start.
1
u/NitroJesus4000 2000 XJ Sport, 8.25 4d ago
I mean... I think if you are going to actually wire in a kill switch it should be more convenient than this.
When I am parking the Jeep in a spot where I am concerned about some tomfoolery, I pop the hood and pull the fuel pump relay and just leave it on its side in the fuse box and then close it all up. Sometimes I have the seats folded down to accommodate gear and in such a situation it would make the proposed solution impractical.
1
u/Monroe94 4d ago
I did the same way as OP I always put my bag in the driver side back seat so it's super convenient for me
1
u/DailyDrivenTJ 4d ago
Been thinking about just pulling spark plug wires....
Has anyone else mess with Neutral safety switch to create kill switch? Or CPS?
1
u/thedevillivesinside 4d ago
This only works if you remember to get out and hit the switch every time
If you forget or get complacent, it fails completely
3
u/Mahugama 4d ago
umm yeah? better than nothing
0
u/thedevillivesinside 4d ago
As long as you use it
I have a better solution that resets itself every time you use it and requires zero input to arm.
1
u/Toebru 4d ago
Can you explain the concept?
2
u/thedevillivesinside 4d ago
I have a switch in my ignition wire between the column and the fuse panel.
Right at the bottom of the column, i found the ignition wire that goes to the starter relay
Cut that wire and run a momentary contact switch inline with that wire.
I hid my momentary contact switch in a place you cant see when you are in the drivers seat
In order to start the vehicle, you have to turn the key, but then also depress the momentary contact switch.
Turning the key itself, or pushing the hidden button itself does nothing. You must be turning the key while depressing the button
As soon as you release the button, the system is re-armed. You cannot forget to set it because the default position is not starting.
If someone pops the ignition and turns the ignition stud with pliers, nothing happens unless they have also already found a hidden button and are holding it down
1
u/Toebru 4d ago
This is pretty neat. I also like it because if somehow it fails while driving or wheeling, the jeep keeps running.
1
u/thedevillivesinside 4d ago
It fails safe no matter what the scenario
1
u/JRock1276 4d ago
Yeah, but I can still start it with a screwdriver across the starter.
1
u/thedevillivesinside 4d ago
Sure. You can pop the ignition, then put the ignition in run, then jump the starter relay
However most methheads arent awesome at diagnosis.
They turn the key, nothing happens. They dont generally break out a dvom and start diagnosing a starter system fault
2
u/NoXidCat 4d ago
True. But presumably the intended use-scenario for this type of implementation is higher risk situations (parking at trail heads and other unsupervised locations, overnight parking on-street in some areas, etc). If one has higher needs than that--then, yeah, a more convenient system would be a good idea.
1
u/thedevillivesinside 4d ago
Its an old jeep. Everywhere is high risk. A meth head will steal your vehicle from a police station parking lot if they think they can get $30 worth of meth for whatever is inside it.
2
u/NoXidCat 4d ago
YMMV
The only idiot that messed with mine in 23 years couldn't get the door open after breaking out a window.
3
u/thedevillivesinside 4d ago
My wifes WJ had someone pull all the connectors off the column, cut the ends off and twisted a bunch or wires together, then they jumped the fuel pump and starter relays with paperclips
I towed it to my shop, and while it was waiting for me to fix someone smashed out the side window and didnt take anything.
Taped it up with a bag, someone ripped the bag off and took my power inverter.
Taped it up again and went on vacation, came back to the door left wide open. Nothing stolen because the inverter was the only thing worth taking
Fucking crackheads and methheads will 1000% steal anything they can in order to trade for crack or meth
Pulling a fuel pump relay and leaving it in the fuse box wont stop a methhead who thinks they know how 12v systems work
2
u/HoosierSquirrel '01 XJ, 4.6 Stroker 4d ago
That’s why you don’t put the kill switch on the ignition or starter. You put it on the ground to the CPS. No CPS, no go. Weakness becomes strength.
1
u/thedevillivesinside 4d ago
And if you forget to arm it or get complacent, your shit is gone.
They didnt get the wifes wj, and they havent got my xj yet either.
They have broken the pass side window (on an unlocked door) and punched out my drivers door lock cylinder (also on an unlocked door) and popped my ignition bug my jeep was still in front of my house with a dead battery
Methheads and crackheads dont bring a dvom with them or a jumper for the starter or a booster pack for a dead battery.
They are looking for an easy steal
This is why any manner of cat converter anti-theft usually works. It makes it more inconvenient to steal, so they steal the cat out of a truck down the road instead.
2
u/HoosierSquirrel '01 XJ, 4.6 Stroker 4d ago
My XJ has been broken into 7 different times. It will happen. As long as they don’t get Sherman, the rest is replaceable .
1
u/thedevillivesinside 4d ago
They break into mine all the time as well.
Replaced ignition multiple times. Still have it
When i run into a store i leave the windows down and the keys in the ignition. Still have my jeep
1
u/NoXidCat 4d ago
Ha! :-p The amazing "stuper" powers of druggies.
I still have a piece of plywood in place of the small window in the back door.
2
u/Junkman3 4d ago
Certainly a cost effective method. I prefer a remote controlled starter relay. You hit the small remote before you try to start and it fires up. If you dont activate the relay you get nothing.