76 Eldorado: Add a kill switch?????

[robpp]

Hi

I want to add some very simple security to my car. Want to put some type of ignition kill switch in the cabin.

What is a good way that a FNG can figure out? Am a bit electrical stupid but I do have a wiring diagram?

TIA
Rob

[bcroe]

JACOBS used to make a great security switch; haven't researched it lately.  Bruce Roe

[76eldo]

A very popular dealer supplied system back in the 80's was made by Chapman.
It had a cable lock on the inside of the hood and a barrel type key inside. When the lock was pushed in it locked the hood and was connected to the feed wire going to the distributor.

Using the same thought, a simple solution would be to get a heavy duty toggle switch, and about 10 feet of 10 or 12 gauge stranded wire and some shrink wrap for that size wire.

Mount the toggle switch in an out of the way spot under the dash or in the glove box.
There are several places on the firewall that have rubber grommets that you can pass the wire through.  Run both wires coming from the switch and find the thick feed wire going to the distributor.
Cut the wire leaving enough room on both halves to make a splice.

Slide the heat shrink back on the wires, and make a proper soldered connection to the two wires coming from the switch.

In one position the car will run, in the other position it won't.

If you mount the switch and run the wires, any mechanic can do the rest.

It's a $15.00 solution for you.

[TJ Hopland]

Its been a while since I saw it or thought about it but I once saw a system on that vintage car where the guy had wired into the high beam switch.  Car would only start with the high beams on.  Once running the switch worked normally.  I thought it was pretty slick.  Its something easy for you the driver to when you get in and out of the car.  If I look at the diagrams for the car I could likely figure it out again. 

[robpp]

Thanks all.

I think for now I will stick with a simple toggle.

Do I need a heavy duty switch ? How much amps runs through that wire that feeds the distributor? 

[76eldo]

I'm not sure but be sure to match the gauge of the wire and get a heavy duty switch.

More is better than less in this instance.

[robpp]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  got it!   the wiring diagram has the wire gauge right on it.