BE WARNED! The truth about LocTronics!
JD & Mona Adams >
What I'm about to tell you all might seem unbelievable. However, it's
all true, and you are the first to find out. You see, I'm still
considering my options and don't want any lawsuits on my hands...yet. I
want everyone in this NG to know the TRUTH about LocTronics.
We were sold an optional security package with our '98 GT called
"Loctronics", a device that disables the starter unless a
specially-coded cardkey was inserted into a device that was mounted
underneath the steering wheel trim.
We were told flat-out that this car with LocTronics would be completely
safe against theft, regardless of how professional the thief was. We
were told that even if a thief used jumper wires or such, fuses would
burn out further disabling the system.
We paid $499 for this "dealer installed" option. Loctronics is located
at 3212 Luyung Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 (1-800-759-LOCK). No
documentation was included with our papers, only the 2 cardkeys and a
small plastic box they came in.
I have seen dozens of people with this "system" installed on their cars,
and everyone I've spoken to seems to have paid about the same amount for
it, and they all got it as a "package" at the dealership with the car.
Just for the hell of it, I decided to take a much closer look at this
unit in my driveway. When I climbed underneath the dash and took a
look, I nearly shit myself. You will not believe what I found.
The "box" that controls this thing is made of black plastic, and accepts
a cardkey device that allows the starter to operate. All this damn
thing is (belive it or not) is a fancy shunt that closes a simple 1-wire
circuit! That circuit is the solonoid hot-wire to the starter, located
underneath the dash. (it comes off the ignition switch.)
I fashioned a quick 6" piece of wire and jumpered the connection. What
do you know. It starts with no problem, and no magical cardkey in
place. Imagine that! Me, a true non-professional thief, starting this
car with this fancy $500 anti-theft device, bypassing it with a $.02
cent piece of wire.
I went further. I undid the silly box from the underside of the dash,
and pulled all 3 wires out. (1 was a ground, the other 2 went to the
snipped ends of the starter solonoid wire.) I dismanteled the box, and
found nothing more than a couple of resisters, a small 12v relay, and a
small circuit board that did absolutely nothing except close the simple
1 wire circuit it interupts!
I'm going to be generous and say that the total cost of the materials
and the 10 minutes it took to install this piece of shit was maybe
$25.00. I'm not a car thief, and it took me all of 10 seconds to bypass
this thing and start the car. A simple toggle switch would have been
FAR more effective!!!!!
So, you grin and ask, "how could he be so fucking stupid as to allow a
Ford dealer screw him for a piece of shit like that?" Folks, it's
easy. And believe me, I'm so FUCKING PISSED ABOUT THIS SHIT right now,
that I'm tempted to retrieve both my Colt Anaconda chambered in .44
Remington Magnum, *AND* my S&W 4506 large-framed .45 Automatic and 2
extra magazines, pay my friendly Dealer a visit, and cheerfully end his
pathetic fucking life. (Folsom Lake Ford, Folsom, California FYI.)
Unfortunately, Mike Manley, the asshole salesman who pushed this B.S. on
us does not work there anymore, or he would be in my small, but
distinguished list as well.
I *DO* plan to take action, but for right now, I'm in the thinking and
planning stages. Someone's ass is going to get kicked for this shit,
trust me. No one fucks me like this and lives to brag about it.
For now, all of you: BE WARNED. If you buy a new Ford, DO NOT accept
any vehicle that has LocTronics security installed! Tell them to take
that shit off, or you will not buy the car. TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
THIS SHIT. If you know someone who has this system installed, TELL THEM
TO REMOVE IT. The false sense of security that it gives will get your
car stolen. This system is the most worthless, non-effective piece of
shit I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, find someone who has this
installed, and take a look under the dash for one MAJOR eye-opening
experience.
JD & Mona Adams
*************************************************
Visit our website: (http://208.147.33.2:80/jd/)
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)
JD & Mona Adams <"Webmaster <jd"@encompass.net>> wrote:
>What I'm about to tell you all might seem unbelievable. However, it's
>all true, and you are the first to find out. You see, I'm still
>considering my options and don't want any lawsuits on my hands...yet. I
>want everyone in this NG to know the TRUTH about LocTronics.
><snip><
Wow! Thanx for the info.
SEEverist
JF & Mona wrote:
>What I'm about to tell you all might seem unbelievable. However, it's
>all true, and you are the first to find out.
Snip
>UCKING PISSED ABOUT THIS SHIT right now,
>that I'm tempted to retrieve both my Colt Anaconda chambered in .44
>Remington Magnum, *AND* my S&W 4506 large-framed .45 Automatic and 2
>extra magazines, pay my friendly Dealer a visit,
.44 mag Anacondas are fun. I've shot one once, and almost L'dMAO after I
pulled the trigger. Don't bother with the 4506, even if you miss with the
Anaconda, you'll scare the piss right out of them from the sound.
Good Luck with this situation!
Steve
The Only Substitute For Cubic Inches Is Cubic Dollar$
Warren V.
>
>For now, all of you: BE WARNED. If you buy a new Ford, DO NOT accept
>any vehicle that has LocTronics security installed! Tell them to take
>that shit off, or you will not buy the car. TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
>THIS SHIT. If you know someone who has this system installed, TELL THEM
>TO REMOVE IT. The false sense of security that it gives will get your
>car stolen. This system is the most worthless, non-effective piece of
>shit I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, find someone who has this
>installed, and take a look under the dash for one MAJOR eye-opening
>experience.
>
>
>JD & Mona Adams
>
>*************************************************
>Visit our website: (http://208.147.33.2:80/jd/)
>PGP information, keys, & FREE PGP v4.5 software,
>'98 Mustang GT info including window sticker!
>Our online scrapbook, and a great new software
>package I've written, Registry Backup 95!
>No XXX SPAM bullshit, JAVA, or silly MIDI music.
>*************************************************
So I guess you don't like the Locktronics box much, eh?
I don;t know why anyone would buy these stupid add-on systems that are obvious
to a car thief. If you want security, buy a real alarm, but supplement it with
a hidden kill switch. The kill switch is cheap to install, and can be hidden
anywhere. I've seen switches that are disabled by hitting the mirror switch,
defroster, putting on the seatbelt, anywhere.
W.
Bill Jones
I was real interested in this when you first told me about it. But when I
looked on the Internet for information on the system and company, I
couldn't find hardly anything. I did find one page somehwere saying that
the Loctronics system has never failed, and that there was never a
reported case of a car being stolen with the system. It just seemed odd
to me if this was such a foolproof security system, why weren't customers
and law enforcement agencies raving about it all over the Internet? I
believe the one page I found was their home page, because I remember being
able to order the thing with a credit card. Thank God I didn't! I
searched again just now for it, and can't find a trace of that page...
<remove 7of9 for email replies>
--
Bill Jones e-mail addresses:
Computer Sciences Corp. (work) wjon...@csc.com
Norwich, Connecticut (play) bi...@snet.net
(860) 437-5650 WWW: http://pages.cthome.net/billj
JD & Mona Adams
That's interesting, Bill. I didn't find a thing about it when I did a
search. I may noodle with it again. I have never seen a more worthless
"security device" in my entire 40-year life.
Something I suspect: after disassembling the thing and thinking about
it, I've come to the conclusion that this simple box exists to keep you
from taking your car from the dealer's repair shop without paying.
There is an extra card that mounts flush and is not readily noticable.
Dealer could remove this after expensive repairs are done to keep a
customer from swiping it before paying. This is the only logical reason
for having such an obviously simplistic device attached to their cars.
I may never get a refund, but I plan to tell everyone I know about this
scam. Hell, I may even take a few weekends and stand outside the
dealership and hand out flyers warning potential customers. THAT would
satisfy me...a little. I still think the General Manager should die of
lead poisoning. If I didn't know just how bad prison food really is, it
would be a very attractive option.
I am planning to put up a website devoted to this in a few weeks,
regardless of the outcome. Knowledge is power.
--
Best regards,
JD & Mona
狂人
>For now, all of you: BE WARNED. If you buy a new Ford, DO NOT accept
>any vehicle that has LocTronics security installed! Tell them to take
>that shit off, or you will not buy the car. TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
>THIS SHIT. If you know someone who has this system installed, TELL THEM
>TO REMOVE IT. The false sense of security that it gives will get your
>car stolen. This system is the most worthless, non-effective piece of
>shit I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, find someone who has this
>installed, and take a look under the dash for one MAJOR eye-opening
>experience.
What does it do to tick you guys off? I have not seen such a pissed off
message from you guys at all... until now... :) Just wondering...
--
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Michael King
JD & Mona Adams wrote in message
>I *DO* plan to take action, but for right now, I'm in the thinking and
>planning stages. Someone's ass is going to get kicked for this shit,
>trust me. No one fucks me like this and lives to brag about it.
Call the dealer, the newspapers, the networks, and a lawyer! At least get
your full $$ back plus something to "make up" for the trouble you went
through getting it back.
Good Luck !
Mike
Black 98 GT w/17" Wheels
JD & Mona Adams
I've gotten in touch with an attorney friend of mine who lives in San
Diego. He's seen this before, and recommends handling it himself for
now by drafting a letter and sending it directly to the General
Manager. We'll see what happens with that. He said most simply give
you a "parts credit", which works for me.
God help the "salesman" I encounter when I buy another car in the
future!
Jim@work
JD & Mona Adams wrote:
>
> What I'm about to tell you all might seem unbelievable. However, it's
> considering my options and don't want any lawsuits on my hands...yet. I
> want everyone in this NG to know the TRUTH about LocTronics.
>
> that I'm tempted to retrieve both my Colt Anaconda chambered in .44
> Remington Magnum, *AND* my S&W 4506 large-framed .45 Automatic and 2
> pathetic fucking life. (Folsom Lake Ford, Folsom, California FYI.)
> Unfortunately, Mike Manley, the asshole salesman who pushed this B.S. on
> us does not work there anymore, or he would be in my small, but
> distinguished list as well.
>
> planning stages. Someone's ass is going to get kicked for this shit,
> trust me. No one fucks me like this and lives to brag about it.
>
> any vehicle that has LocTronics security installed! Tell them to take
> that shit off, or you will not buy the car. TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
> THIS SHIT. If you know someone who has this system installed, TELL THEM
> TO REMOVE IT. The false sense of security that it gives will get your
> car stolen. This system is the most worthless, non-effective piece of
> shit I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, find someone who has this
> installed, and take a look under the dash for one MAJOR eye-opening
> experience.
>
>
> *************************************************
> Visit our website: (http://208.147.33.2:80/jd/)
> PGP information, keys, & FREE PGP v4.5 software,
> '98 Mustang GT info including window sticker!
> Our online scrapbook, and a great new software
> package I've written, Registry Backup 95!
> No XXX SPAM bullshit, JAVA, or silly MIDI music.
> *************************************************
I purchased a new Ranger in 1993 from Citrus Ford in Ontario, CA and it
already had this thing on it. Evidently they install it when the vehicle
comes in. I was able to purchase my vehicle on the 'A' plan so I go a
major discount on it, it only cost me $75 bucks, I never took the thing
apart because it look pretty worthless anyway. I left the 'key' in the
slot at all time. The only consolation was that my insurance company
gave me a discount for a theft deterent device.
Trust and salesman should not be used in the same sentence. I think some
of these guys used to work in boiler rooms selling land in Florida
狂人
In <350805...@encompass.net>, on 03/12/98
>I've gotten in touch with an attorney friend of mine who lives in San
>Diego. He's seen this before, and recommends handling it himself for now
>by drafting a letter and sending it directly to the General Manager. We'll
>see what happens with that. He said most simply give you a "parts credit",
>which works for me.
What exactly did it go wrong, I didn't see the original article...
>God help the "salesman" I encounter when I buy another car in the future!
What? You are driving your Hummer there when you wanna buy another car? :)
JD & Mona Adams
Jim@work wrote:
> I purchased a new Ranger in 1993 from Citrus Ford in Ontario, CA and it
> already had this thing on it. Evidently they install it when the vehicle
> comes in. I was able to purchase my vehicle on the 'A' plan so I go a
> major discount on it, it only cost me $75 bucks, I never took the thing
> apart because it look pretty worthless anyway. I left the 'key' in the
> slot at all time. The only consolation was that my insurance company
> gave me a discount for a theft deterent device.
>
> Trust and salesman should not be used in the same sentence. I think some
> of these guys used to work in boiler rooms selling land in Florida
Just for fun, pull the box out and take it apart. What you find will
infuriate you as well.
This goes FAR beyond the salesman. Everyone in the joint is involved in
this one. I still can't believe that dealers fuck their customers so
badly nowadays. Going "postal" still sounds good to me.
Best regards,
JD & Mona
*************************************************
Musttanguy
I must say that i would have to agree with you 100% concerning
the loctronics.when we bought our 95 conv. they had this thing installed,when
we went to leave the damn car would not start.
the guys from loctronics were there and replaced the chip that goes in it when
you wont pay the BIG $$$ for the damn thing to
work with the key fob card.apparently the idiot that put it in put it in upside
down and blew a fuse.the came over and replaced it while we waited.being the
mustang guy that i am i started quizing him about the box and wiring.he wouldnt
give me a straight answer about their wiring destinations,this guy has his
head stuck under the dash and pulls out a connector with a wire that loops back
in to
it. laughing as he is holding this thing, i tell him ....hey thats the clutch
interlock pigtail that is used when car is an auto.he looks at me and asks 'how
do you know' well obviously this guy has no
Musttanguy
idea that i have wired a few theft recovery cars.and that i knew exactly what
he was doing and considering the hook up of it i was NOT buying into this
scam.told him i could drive off in car with one piece of wire as fast as he
could by puttn that little thing in its connector and starting it. boy i really
think i hit a nerve :-)
i told the salesman im leaving with new car but was not paying for
it !!!!......result = left with car,loctronic and a smile...i would in no way
rely on this so called anti-theft device to save my car
p.s. i got mine at elk grove ford
larry...@gmail.com
> Visit our website: (http://208.147.33.2:80/jd/)
> PGP information, keys, & FREE PGP v4.5 software,
> '98 Mustang GT info including window sticker!
> Our online scrapbook, and a great new software
> package I've written, Registry Backup 95!
> No XXX SPAM bullshit, JAVA, or silly MIDI music.
> *************************************************
> Visit our website: (http://208.147.33.2:80/jd/)
> PGP information, keys, & FREE PGP v4.5 software,
> '98 Mustang GT info including window sticker!
> Our online scrapbook, and a great new software
> package I've written, Registry Backup 95!
> No XXX SPAM bullshit, JAVA, or silly MIDI music.
> *************************************************
I had been looking for a while on how to rewire the ignition on my 96 Honda Accord so as to bi-pass this hidious LocTronics Security device. When you said it mearly interupts the ignition wire, I was so excited. My Honda was stollen and when I recovered it the theives had removed the plug-in module from under the dash, I thought it will never start again. I removed the lower dash drop pannel and followed the cable off the back of the LocTreonics connector right to the ignition wire that was spliced into. I cut the splice and rewired boyh ends of yhe ignition wire back together and YES it allowed my car to start right up.. I didn't pay for the damn thing as I bought my car used, but I would have been pissed if I paid for that device. To go thru all the time to put that thing in, I would much rather have paid for a real car alarm.
Ashton Crusher
actually get their car stolen. And of those who do, very few ever see
their car again so the ONLY group that would ever figure out (without
doing what the original post did and taking the thing apart) that this
thing is worthless would be the small number of people who's cars were
stolen AND recovered AND who looked into why the loctronics thing
didn't prevent the theft. That's a very very tiny group of people.
It almost goes without saying that when you buy a new car you should
refuse to by ANYTHING that was added by the dealer. EVERYTHING a
dealer adds to a new car is a rip off.. EVERYTHING. The security
alarm, the paint protection, the "special exhaust", the bed liner, the
floor mats. Most aren't needed at all and add nothing to the value of
the car, functionally or in any other way, and for the few that might
be of value to a specific buyer you can almost certainly get whatever
it is cheaper elsewhere.
I'd be surprised if you could successfully sue them. Unless your car
was stolen you don't have a reason to. The sold you a device to
prevent your car from being stolen. It wasn't stolen. Therefore they
can claim their device 'worked' since you have no way to prove there
have not been many attempts to steal your car that their device
thwarted.
If you can get a dealer to refund your money it would signal the
second coming of Christ.
David
> The reason they get away with it is largely because so few people
ago.
marcoca...@gmail.com
exce...@yahoo.com
> Well it's 2016 now and I'm pretty sure no one will read this, but I have this Loctronics installed in the 1987 Camry I purchased a couple of months ago. I was wondering if you guys uninstalled it and how easy it was? Where is it located in the car. The Loctronics thing is really annoying. Especially when I'm in a hurry and I know for a fact in 2016 this thing is pretty damn useless