Lojack

[Richard B.]

Hi All,

Just got my Lojack checked out, 4 years since installation, and the guy came to house and said it was fine. But he told me that since my battery was disconnected for the winter, the Lojack was using it's internal backup battery.

He said if the backup battery was drained, it would be expensive! Since I know a lot of us use a battery disconnect (for part of that 10 point bonus) and disconnect the battery over the winter, I thought I should pass on what I learned this morning. Sounds like a trickle charger might be a good idea!

Rich,
#36956

[Kevin M.]

Re: Lojack

I have LoJack too, guy came out and had to change the backup battery, mine was 5 years old. It was expensive don't have it in front of me but well over $200 including the service call. He wanted me to leave him alone while he changed it, he was real surprised when he found out I knew where it was. Kind of ugly splice for power but it's the only modification I've done from stock. Little price to pay for my only anti theft system. I drive my car often enough so I don't use the disconnect to much.

Kevin

[William O.]

Re: Lojack

Very expensive, I would investigate replacment batteries, since you know where the battery is...

What is the voltage... probably 8-14 and what is the wattage.. manufacture?

There is almost everthing on-line now.

Bill

[Rick S.]

Re: Lojack

What they want for battery you could put a better system in your car. I retired 7 1/2 yrs ago but the Lojack system was the most useless theft/recovery system on the market at that time. Most Detroit area P.D.'s dumped the tracking equipment from Lojack because they wanted to charge the PD's a monthly fee to maintain their equipment. The tracking was vague and sporadic and got you only "close" to the stolen car. There has to be something better out there today!! Rick

[Kevin M.]

Re: Lojack

Sure there's OnStar and LoJack now has an upgrade that calls or pages you when youor car is moved. I'm in LA and LoJack is still supported.

Kevin

[Rick S.]

Re: Lojack

Kevin,
I will check my contacts in the suburban area north of Detroit (Oakland County) and find out how many agencies still maintain the Lojack system. My guess would be that very few maintain the system.

[Kevin M.]

Re: Lojack

That would be interesting because of course LoJack won't tell you that. I'm friends with the local Burbank PD they run VINs for me all the time they'll give me the 411 on it.

Kevin

[Larry S.]

Re: Lojack

I looked into the lojack for my 66,2 problems were present at the time they were not being supported by the Police departments in my county,Had to do with some type of a contract.

Also I had explained my car was a factory correct car and would supply a place and a way to connect to power,As I understood it they would not allow me to know where they were going to put the unit and claimed I would never know they spliced into the power source.

this was back in 2000 does anybody know if that has changed with allowing an owner to know its location?

[Kevin M.]

Re: Lojack

Ya just wait for the installer and help him. I found mine when the glove box was removed to repair the heater box. Just tell them that you will find it when you restore your car so there is no reason to hide it from you. It might be in there rules not to let the owner see where it is but they want to make a sale and they'll come around. They only have a few choices in a Vette. Here's what mine looks like.

Kevin

Hope it works




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[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: Lojack

I had Lojack installed in my '58. When the technician showed up to install it the interior of the car was still gutted. I instructed him as to where the unit was to be installed and how connected. At first he was hesitant to do the work (it's location is supposed to be a secret), but when I told him it was my way or the highway he did what he was told. Fortunately we never needed the system. I'm still on the fence as to whether the '65 will get one.

[Clare Carpenter]

Re: Lojack

Lojack was supported when I lived in S. Florida. I had two friends who suffered through 3 stolen vehicles, however, none of them had Lojack. In '89 a coworker lost his special edition IROC Camaro. It was recovered inside of 30 days, found abandoned in a big shopping center parking lot with a whole lot less rear tire ribber but otherwise unharmed. Cops said it was probably left there to cool off and would have been chopped later on.

In the early 90's one friend lost a turbo Porsche shortly after taking delivery. He had special ordered the car and waited over a year for it. Apparently he was followed to work. He parked it in his assigned very visable parking spot and it was gone 15 minutes later. Never found or recovered. Cops suspected it was exported or chopped.

This same guy later lost a leased Mercedes sedan, stolen when wife left it running while she went into kids school for just a couple of minutes. This car was later found inside of a container ready to be "exported" to S. America and was recovered just prior to insurance payoff. 3 stolen, 2 recovered, no Lojack!

Lojack seems better than nothing. I thought about it for my car but really how often are classic cars stolen anyway? Tough to resell and not a huge market to chop like with Honda Accords and the like.

[Donald M.]

Re: Lojack

Clare, Just bear in mind that the '63-'67 Corvette is the most stolen collector car in the country. There's a ready market for date coded parts, body panels, etc. There was a '65 (I think) stolen right off owner's property in Ft. Myers last year while owner was attending Corvettes at Carlisle!!! I try not to "advertise" my car any more than necessary.The best theft deterrent is a BIG DOG!
Don

[Clare Carpenter]

Re: Lojack

That is not good! Probably has a lot to do with the "unattended" clauses in collector car policies. I've always used the steering wheel to brake pedal lock for the small visable deterrant it offers while parked. Covering and locking cover would be good for overnight trips too.

[Richard B.]

Lojack

For what it's worth, I saw LoJack as one of a number of theft prevention measures. I also use the Club, and a secret location switch that cuts power to the fuel pump. And I guess the battery disconnect if I felt the need on a trip. I also park with care, with the wheels crimped to one side. I don't think it's possible to eliminate the threat, but just make it tough for kids to drive it off.

Hopefully, once they defeat one system, the next will frustrate them until they decide to look for an easier one to take. I guess the LoJack is the final backup.

The only problem I have now, is in starting it up in the spring. I have a list in my wallet telling me to check 3-4 different things before I try and start it. No need to go into why that list is needed!

Rich
#36956