Attempted theft and now an alarm that makes no sense...

[rally 'rolla]

Well, fortunately (or unfortunately) this is only the second time I have come close to losing a car and only the first time that I actually cared (2000 GTT Caldina that I've only had for about 2 1/2 months).

Have noticed that the door lock barrel on the drivers side has been pushed in. No real damage at all to the handle surround or anything...

BUT now the alarm (won't say which other than it is a Dynatron with a couple of uprated features)... anyway, now it operates oddly... As in, the LED does not flash at all, the siren does not always go off if I arm it, sit inside and then open the door and further more the drivers door does not always lock which is something I noticed a little while ago when I checked after arming the car and the drivers door wasn't locked (should of seen my face all at once!).

Inside the car and under the bonnet all is sweet - wiring to siren all there, no damage (they don't appear to have got in as nothing at all was missing)...

I have had issues from day one with this alarm, the biggest problem was when it malfuntioned (has been admitted to by the manufacturer) causing the starter motor to remain engaged the entire time which caused it to have one hell of a meltdown one day in a heck of a lot of smoke and luckily no fire! A tow and fix later for about $500 (which I have yet to be compensated for but understand is on its way) and i was back on the road (after getting the bumper fixed due to the tow truck driver hooking it instead of the tow hook - go figure!).

So, firstly how the hell do get a new lock/handle or it fixed? Am assuming this is toyotas domain?

Secondly, what can one do to make the car anymore secure or is it just 'one of those things'?

If I could only get my hands and baseball bat on those &^%(^%$ little so n so's...

All help and advice appreciated. Apologies for the essay, can beat up the would-be theifs so am venting here...

[big_boy]

if you trust your car to unlock witch im not sure you do you can put rear door handles on the front as well so no locks on the front you can also do this on the boot if you want you just take out the lock get the hole welded boged & painted might be an easy derterent ?

[MrOizo]

put some sort of an immobiliser in there..

i like going for the push on type switches - only reason why my gf's EP91 is still here

even something like a kill switch in a less obvious place would be effective. something that disables the coil or ignition of some sort.

thats for if they get in and try to steal the actual car!

[Infinite]

i wouldnt be posting here id be booking it in the get checked out.... cause if they come back and take it you will be guted...

[rally 'rolla]

Cheers all.

Getting rid of the door locks would be nice however I don't think the rear door handles are the same size as teh front.

Have had it checked out and all sorted. Apparently the installed connected teh wrong wires for the drivers door central locking when arming, the LED was replaced and now it all appears to be working sweet, including all teh immobilisers... now just need to get the door lock side of things sorted.

I take it I need to do to toyota for a lock, have a locksmith fit it to my key and also sort a new door handle? I am assuming the bracket that holds the lock is stuffed...

[SIKBUZ]

Why not get some of those secure locks fitted.. And alarms dont usually do much - get an independant killswitch on the fuel pump put in - doesnt cost much and hide the switch somewhere random.. That way if they get in past the alarm and start it then the engine will die on them. Unless they find the switch the car wont drive.

[Punter]

Why not get some of those secure locks fitted.. And alarms dont usually do much - get an independant killswitch on the fuel pump put in - doesnt cost much and hide the switch somewhere random.. That way if they get in past the alarm and start it then the engine will die on them. Unless they find the switch the car wont drive.

I think after 5 months it's probably sorted.

[bbq1988]

you'd hopeso

[SIKBUZ]

True but others may be in the same postion