# Viper Engine immobilizer alarm Vs a Kill switch? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** integra, acura\ **Created:** [August 1, 2021, 12:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405 "2021-08-01T00:28:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 12:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/1 "2021-08-01T00:28:54Z")
I am considering installing a Viper Engine immobilizer alarm or Kill/cut off switch. Any thoughts or other suggestions other than a **tracking** device. Thank you Update: Tracking device ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/2 "2021-08-01T00:31:59Z")
save your money. if they are going to steal it, they will just tow it. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/3 "2021-08-01T00:41:14Z")
A simple web search will get you plenty of articles that point out that after market alarms are a waste of money. OK , so you hear it go off in the nidle of the night is the chance that you will be harmed or even killed comfronting a car theif , I think not . But it is your money so make your own decision . ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/4 "2021-08-01T00:41:53Z")
Add on electronics eventually lead to electrical problems. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/5 "2021-08-01T01:53:00Z")
A hidden kill switch is cheaper and just as effective. Won’t stop a tow, though, but at least you didn’t spend a bunch of money and still lose the car. A tracker isn’t much better. Pros can strip and dump a car faster than you can get busy cops to go and look for it. And they know every hiding place for trackers. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 4:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/6 "2021-08-01T04:55:34Z")
After my son’s car was stolen, I spent about $5 and wired up a hidden switch to shut the fuel pump off. I think we put a security system in it too if I remember right but with the kill switch they would never get it started before draining the battery. Most of the punks stealing cars either are joy riding or grabbing the contents to sell. They seldom have access to a tow. The kill switch worked well. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/7 "2021-08-01T16:46:30Z")
> [@bing](#): > > After my son’s car was stolen, I spent about $5 and wired up a hidden switch to shut the fuel pump off. I think we put a security system in it too if I remember right but with the kill switch they would never get it started before draining the battery. Most of the punks stealing cars either are joy riding or grabbing the contents to sell. They seldom have access to a tow. The kill switch worked well. Kill switch is about $15 at Parts store Shop wants $60 to install Advantage less complicated to cause issues later on, unless I miss something? Car alarm with engine immobilizer could cost $200 + misc parts ($15) Can be problematic due to complex wiring - I briefly had one and it didn’t cause any wiring issues (I didn’t install it. Basic one with NO wireless keys). I am unsure if I can trust wireless entry - seen plenty of hackers on the internet. **Can you trust these wireless entry?** Intruder might damage the hood trying to disconnect the battery. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/8 "2021-08-01T17:02:11Z")
It was over 20 years ago so just don’t remember. It was from Best Buy and installed by them and never had any problem. I think I paid well over $300 for it though. Closing the barn door after the horse is gone though. Lots of folks here have traced a number of problems to add on systems though. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/9 "2021-08-01T17:24:42Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > I am unsure if I can trust wireless entry - seen plenty of hackers on the internet. **Can you trust these wireless entry?** Just my WAG, If easily defeated by hackers, wouldn’t they be stealing brand new cars from dealer lots? ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/10 "2021-08-01T17:36:28Z")
[Stolen C8 Corvette Stingray Crashes After High-Speed Chase (gmauthority.com)](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/07/stolen-c8-corvette-stingray-crashes-after-high-speed-chase-video/) [Detroit police investigating after several vehicles stolen from east side dealership (fox2detroit.com)](https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/detroit-police-investigating-multi-car-theft-at-east-side-dealership) [Dealership that had 20 cars stolen last week hit again (wreg.com)](https://www.wreg.com/news/dealership-that-had-20-cars-stolen-last-week-targeted-again/) ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/11 "2021-08-01T17:43:34Z")
Yes, I suffered through many of those on weekends when posted overseas. Many car owners had cheap after-market systems installed that went off at the slightest disturbance, like a dog peeing on one of the tires. It was fashionable to have such a system installed, but the owners usually did not live close by, so others had to suffer the false alarms. I once rented a GM car and just touching the side with my briefcase set it off. The systems have become more reliable and robust, but as they age gremlins will set in. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/12 "2021-08-01T17:45:31Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > I am unsure if I can trust wireless entry - seen plenty of hackers on the internet. **Can you trust these wireless entry?** Intruder might damage the hood trying to disconnect the battery. Well if it is on the web it must be true . ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/13 "2021-08-01T17:49:40Z")
[Thieves using a $17 device to break into cars with keyless systems | CSO Online](https://www.csoonline.com/article/2909589/thieves-can-use-17-power-amplifier-to-break-into-cars-with-remote-keyless-systems.html) ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/14 "2021-08-01T17:49:41Z")
> [@Docnick](#): > > owners usually did not live close by, so others had to suffer the false alarms And did ANYbody do anything about those alarms?? I’d guess no. Like the boy who cried “wolf” so many alarms screaming, people HOPE the cars are stolen so they’d SHUT UP! ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/viper-engine-immobilizer-alarm-vs-a-kill-switch/178405/15 "2021-08-01T17:56:35Z")
@sciconf Go to the Snopes web site and get real info on just how a little of a chance your vehicle will be stolen with an after market alarm on it.