I'm looking in to getting a tracker for my mini mpi just for piece of mind so I know were it is at all times as I work away a lot. I've already asked about them before on here but I did notice that the mini has a diagnostic port. Is this an obd2 port that you get in more recent cars? I ask because GPS devices can be fitted here.
Any advice on the best tracking device would be great
Cheers
Gps Tracker Advice
Started by
aaron339
, Apr 17 2017 03:17 PM
4 replies to this topic
#2
Steve220
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Posted 17 April 2017 - 05:04 PM
It's not an engine Ecu diagnostic port, it's an airbag ecu diagnostic port. It can provide a little power for a basic device I believe.
#3
tiger99
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Posted 17 April 2017 - 05:51 PM
You are best to tap off the main battery feed somewhere, with well-protected wiring as far as a fuse, so that the power feed is not obvious. Tapping off the brown feed to the ignition or main light switches would be fairly well hidden.
I don't know if the device you are thinking about has its own backup battery, but that would be a very good thing. If it is an exceptionally attractive Mini, and a target for professional thieves, they are likely to disconnect the battery immediately and trailer it away, just in case a tracker is fitted.
I am very strongly anti-theft as a guy at work had just finished a restoration of a Cooper and it went within about 3 days. He was utterly devastated, and I don't want to see that happen to anyone again.
Please use the tracker as only one line of defence and have others such as a very visible steering wheel lock and an audible alarm. If the scumbags decide to put your Mini in the back of a van, with reasonably closely fitting doors, your tracker signal and the GPS it needs will both be blocked. There is no such thing as absolute security, unfortunately. You can only do your best.
#4
neal
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Posted 18 April 2017 - 12:22 AM
Minivation do several trackers very reasonably depending on your requirements or you could buy something a lot more expensive.
It might also be worth breaking into electrical feeds such as your ignition system, electric fuel pump (if fitted) and starter solenoid feeds and fitting hidden toggle switches. I won't go into which wires/feeds should be done as this will compromise your security and probably others who follow suit as the forum is open to all (including the thieving toe-rags) but you could use more than one toggle switch wired in series within one of the above circuits mentioned to make an 'AND' gate circuit. (in other words if you had two switches wired in succession to each other (in series) then the first switch 'AND' the second switch would have to be made to close (make) the circuit.
You can buy small good quality toggle switches from companies such as Maplins and you can buy the black rubber covers that screw on to make them real stealthy. By fitting them in different areas of the vehicle this will make it more difficult to find.
If you don't feel confident doing this, then I would advise you to contact an auto electrician to do the work for you, also gain a receipt for work done as this may help towards your insurance premium. It may not be a recognised immobiliser by insurance companies for insurance purposes but for a small cost it may stop your vehicle from being driven away.
If you are away from your vehicle for some time and don't mind the hassle then you could remove the steering wheel with full steering lock on, front of the car on axle stands, wheels removed and hide the wheel nuts (probably best if vehicle is kept in a garage)
An old trick (amongst others) was to remove the dizzy rotor arm, but at the end of the day, the more obstacles you present to the thief the less time they will want to stay trying to fix it before they nick it.
It might also be worth breaking into electrical feeds such as your ignition system, electric fuel pump (if fitted) and starter solenoid feeds and fitting hidden toggle switches. I won't go into which wires/feeds should be done as this will compromise your security and probably others who follow suit as the forum is open to all (including the thieving toe-rags) but you could use more than one toggle switch wired in series within one of the above circuits mentioned to make an 'AND' gate circuit. (in other words if you had two switches wired in succession to each other (in series) then the first switch 'AND' the second switch would have to be made to close (make) the circuit.
You can buy small good quality toggle switches from companies such as Maplins and you can buy the black rubber covers that screw on to make them real stealthy. By fitting them in different areas of the vehicle this will make it more difficult to find.
If you don't feel confident doing this, then I would advise you to contact an auto electrician to do the work for you, also gain a receipt for work done as this may help towards your insurance premium. It may not be a recognised immobiliser by insurance companies for insurance purposes but for a small cost it may stop your vehicle from being driven away.
If you are away from your vehicle for some time and don't mind the hassle then you could remove the steering wheel with full steering lock on, front of the car on axle stands, wheels removed and hide the wheel nuts (probably best if vehicle is kept in a garage)
An old trick (amongst others) was to remove the dizzy rotor arm, but at the end of the day, the more obstacles you present to the thief the less time they will want to stay trying to fix it before they nick it.
#5
aaron339
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Posted 18 April 2017 - 02:10 PM
Thank you very much for your advice guys. I like the sound of hidden switches so I'm going to go for that too. I already have a connection on the battery with an inline fuse but that won't stop them, it would just slow them down a little.
It's been mentioned before about the minivation trackers so I'm guessing they have some good kit. I'll look in to getting one of them.
The mini is a 2000 moi sport pack in great condition which will be put in a garage over winter but you know how it is, I just want to know I can keep an eye on it wherever I am and at any time.
Thanks again guys
If anyone else has some input that may have been missed then I'd much appreciated it 👍
It's been mentioned before about the minivation trackers so I'm guessing they have some good kit. I'll look in to getting one of them.
The mini is a 2000 moi sport pack in great condition which will be put in a garage over winter but you know how it is, I just want to know I can keep an eye on it wherever I am and at any time.
Thanks again guys
If anyone else has some input that may have been missed then I'd much appreciated it 👍
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