Background
PS, – I don’t have a photo of the car in question, Picture is courtesy of Mike B – Photography (pexels.com)
This is really just something that I thought would not happen to us. Even though its a common topic amongst people in our area every now and then, I thought, “who wants to steal a 8 year old Fiesta?”. (I think that was my words to my neighbour that said his mates Fiesta had been stolen within the last week or so). Hopefully I can give some insight on how they do it, and how you can prevent. This is focused on the ‘keyless start’ Fiesta versions. Don’t know about the flip key version, but I am doing more research.
After all this happened, I also thought, I have www.fiestamk7.com – what better way to get the word out. If your visiting from a link from there, welcome. I know that Fords being stolen is nothing new, as they have a security weak point – in the way that keys can be made up on the spot for them if you have the right hardware and software combo, but please don’t make the mistake that I did – think it won’t happen to you.
For reference, I’m in Harlow, Essex. Its not just Fiestas that get stolen, they’ve had away VWs, BMWs, Mercs, really the list goes on. And its not just Harlow, it seems to be happening everywhere. There seems to be spates of it every now and then – social media is full of it.
Also, I’m learning myself on exactly how they do this, all of this is info I’ve picked up from other peoples experiences / YouTube / forums / blogs. If anyone wants to correct me, or add to this, please contact me.
So I get the phone call one afternoon from my other half that the Fiesta is not there. It was literally parked outside our house on the road. I had even gone past where it was in the morning whilst getting into my car – obviously still half asleep as didn’t clock that it was gone.
After getting home and a bit of investigation from neighbours doorbell cams, it had disappeared between 9PM and 10PM the night before. Neither of the clips had caught the act, the motion had been set of first time by someone walking past, second time by my neighbour going out and picking up a parcel shelf he had found on the floor (turned out to be from the Fiesta).
Then another neighbours doorbell cam revealed a couple of people coming up to it, going to the drivers door, then the boot, climbing in through the boot, then after a short moment, driving off. I don’t have the footage myself, but what I saw from the phone it was shown to me on, it was a bit like 90s CCTV, you know when the frame rate is so slow…
And that was it. Gone. Probably never to be seen again. Frustratingly even more so, was the contents.
How do they do it
As quick initial run down;
– Screwdriver goes in drivers door lock.
– Forcefully turn until central locking unlocks. As the whole barrel turns, it hits the central locking ‘unlock switch’ part of the barrel
– At this stage the alarm is on, but it wont activate until a door is open
– Open boot with handle
– Boot opening does not activate alarm, although the alarm is still active (makes sense not)
– Plug into the OBD port
– Do some computery dutery with devices via the OBD port and whoila, alarm is off, ignition is on and a key is programmed.
– Off they drive.
A slight variant to the above is not going through the boot. Either open the door after doing door lock screwdriver method or smash window. The alarm goes off but quickly plugging in there device disarms the alarm and turns the ignition on. (obviously the alarm not going off or glass everywhere is not ideal for them).
There is another way, known as a ‘relay’ attack. Simply put, this is a method of relaying the signal the key fob puts out.
– Big antenna is used to pickup key signal, by someone standing at your front door or window.
– Long lead goes into fancy device that amplifies this signal and transmits it to someone standing at car.
– They get in, press the start button
– Whoila, off they drive.
Method number two has its draw backs – if they stalled it somewhere, or where its turned off is where its staying as they wont be able to restart it.
Personally, I am shocked at how easy it is to do. Mechanically, ie the door lock part is just one of them things. But the alarm not going off when going through the boot is one thing and the fact the hardware and software that allows this to happen is so easily available is pretty shocking.
Even looking on eBay there are devices that claim to be able to program keys with just the push of a button through the OBD port. Couple that with a device built from parts on the internet, that essentially plugs into the OBD port and with the flick of a button disables the alarm / turns the ignition on is a dream for a thief. All you need then is some testicles that are comparable to a cow, and your away.
How to prevent it
PS – Below contains affiliate links to help support this site (and www.fieatamk7.com too!)
Steering lock.
It’s an old school classic. It’s going to make a lot of noise getting it off forcefully, but before that has been considered its probably been glanced at and they will move on. There’s a few types to choose from;
OBD port blocker / Dummy port / Fake OBD port
These are readily available. If you don’t know, the the OBD port is on the drivers side of the dashboard, under a little flap. The OBD port also gives power to the device plugged into it. There is a few different types.
- A device that physically blocks the OBD port. You remove the OBD socket from location and it goes round it. Then secure it out of the way. Even if they do find it, getting it off is going to take to much time.
- An actual dummy socket in standard location. (with no wires to it at all) Be sure to secure actual socket out of the way behind dash.
- A ‘fake’ OBD port. This is a standard looking OBD socket that has power to it only. The thieves device will power up but they wont be able to do any thing else. By this time hopefully they will have decided to do the off.
- Completely relocate the OBD socket / wiring.
- Some sort of homemade device that gives 48V power to the pins on the OBD socket that power the OBD device plugged into it. (you will need to make one yourself…! and ensure you dont plug any diagnostic kit in it!)
The following links are to specific items, if these links become out of date, please let me know.
Aftermarket Immobiliser
There’s many out there, you just need to decide what one and part with some cash.
DIY Immobiliser
You will need a little experience here with auto electrics, but for example; Immobilise a critical circuit with a switch, perhaps the starter solenoid. Place the switch hidden, with it off, the car wont start.
Unplug the boot handle button
This will only help to an extent. It will stop the boot being opened (access without alarm going off) when the central locking has been opened via door lock screw driver method. You will still be able to open the boot with the key remote.
Tracking it
Not quite part of the prevent side of things, but if it does go missing then its ideal to be able to track it. Sometimes they will ‘hide’ it somewhere very close to where they stole it from for a day or so, just in case it has a tracker.
Many company’s offer trackers as part of an immobiliser system. There are also stand alone systems out there.
Another option is to stick an Apple Airtag or two in it. With the Airtag in it you will be able to track it via Apples find my network that works via iPhones. It’s worth nothing that an Airtag will alert a iPhone that is not paired to it after a certain amount of time of being close constantly, possibly notifying the thief. At this stage they may try and find it. If there is two, they might think they’ve got rid of that problem and carry on – with two you are potentially increasing the amount of time that you may be able to find your car. Make you hide one very well. The Airtag is not fool-proof as its not real time tracking – it will only update based on when any iPhone has last connected to it. But it may give an indication of where it may be.
Wrapping things up
As to why an 8 year old car is a target, I cant specifically answer it. My guess is its either broken up for parts or used for dodgy dealings with fake plates. On the day of writing this, a 2011 Fiesta got stolen 10 miles down the road – Its not just newer models, older ones too. Maybe they drive around and then its, we’ll have this one and off they go.
My best advice is to get a steering lock – its visual, so in my eyes, the best deterrent. Secondly, making the OBD socket inaccessible is a no brainer too.
Lastly, if anyone wants to make a database / record of stolen Fiestas, please post up on the forum or contact me.
