PSA for OBD car thefts
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,649
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
this is how easy it is (But it’s not the port method). Its a relay.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Jan 31, 2022 at 05:29 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,059
Likes: 546
From: Maryland
I agree. If they are going to steal it, they are going to steal it. It's not that I want them to, but that's what insurance is for. I have the same principles when it comes to credit cards. I never use debit cards, only credit cards for all transactions, and if someone steals or compromises my card, no big deal to me, I just call my credit card company and cancel the card
Back to stolen cars, I wonder if it’s hard to steal a Tesla. I have key fobs but only use my phone for the key and I can control a lot of functions in the car from the app. I assume I can track or control my car if someone steals it? At least I hope since it’s not garaged.
Advanced
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 653
Likes: 96
From: PA
From living in Mexico City, LA, and Rio, it seems that only a multi-layered system will work—kill switch, steering wheel lock, tracking system, etc., etc.
I had my Infiniti stolen 6 years ago, the amount of time it took to report, get a loner, talk with police, talk with insurance, etc, etc, etc., was mind numbing. Insurance does not cover my time, so loss of time from work cost well over $1000, in addition to deductible ($500). Not to mention the emotional toll of feeling vulnerable to outside forces.
I had my Infiniti stolen 6 years ago, the amount of time it took to report, get a loner, talk with police, talk with insurance, etc, etc, etc., was mind numbing. Insurance does not cover my time, so loss of time from work cost well over $1000, in addition to deductible ($500). Not to mention the emotional toll of feeling vulnerable to outside forces.
Last edited by ShrinkDoc; Jan 31, 2022 at 06:04 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,059
Likes: 546
From: Maryland
Also, I like the idea of the OBD cap but for $270, I’m too cheap to buy one since it doesn’t look like a high tech gadget but maybe it is. Also, am I reading it right that if a thief tries to pry it off it ruins the OBD connector? So if they don’t steal the car I have to pay to get a new OBD connector?
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,222
Likes: 4,220
From: Maryland
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,432
Likes: 638
From: IL
So what do you do when your car throws a CEL? How do you determine that the coilpack on cylinder #5 is failing, if you no longer have an OBD port?
It seems that by embarking on this solution, you are taking the odds that it is more likely that your car will be stolen via programming a new key into the immobilizer, than that your car will ever need diagnosis or software updates for the entire time you own it. I wouldn't take that bet, even on a Lexus.
It seems that by embarking on this solution, you are taking the odds that it is more likely that your car will be stolen via programming a new key into the immobilizer, than that your car will ever need diagnosis or software updates for the entire time you own it. I wouldn't take that bet, even on a Lexus.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,945
Likes: 3,839
From: California
I used to buy cars from tow yard auctions back in the 90's, and there would be some cars where they sawed a section of the steering wheel to remove the club. I would buy some of these because 99 percent chance they were working cars, so I didn't have to do too much work on them before I sold them