Which would trigger the alarm as you have to be in the car to get access to the fuse box. Can't be done from the window and a real fiddle to do. I guess you could put a low blown fuse in the slot that then means you have to fiddle to remove before replacing.

^ this :)

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Does this ONLY affect keyless start cars or can they get off with key versions too ?

I mean I don't have an ST so not as attractive but still would hate it to go walkies.

Real pro's can remove staring locks in a matter seconds.. Same as real pro can steal any car within a few minutes..

lost keys to a van once, the auto lock smith had the door open, and engine started within 1 min.. within 5min's had a new fully working set of keys cut for it.

^ this :)

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Only bit is how do you blow a fuse in a car? As would a really low ampage just blow on use and do the job or can you just blow one on purpose like put it in the heated seat, blow and then pop in the obd

If a would be theif were to research how to steal a certain car and they came across this thread mentioning a fuse... Would they not think to look in the fuse box for anything out of the ordinary? Just a thought :)

Its a fair point but if someone wants a car they will have it. Many ways to do it. I guess this just stops the method that is popular at the moment which is fairly quick and simple without setting off the alarm and that is the key point.

Not saying how its done but easy to find as that was how I learnt. So it does prove nothing is ever out of public knowledge

I think the thing to consider here is that to gain access to the car they need to connect to the OBD and trigger the door release.

If the OBD is dead then they won't be able to get in to access the fusebox, let alone look for the one missing fuse amongst a half dozen empty slots that usually occur.

I think the main thing here is to do the best you can. I will buy a good quality steering lock and remove the fuse and if the crims are reading this and planning to defeat the fuse idea, then they will have to enter the car and thereby set the alarm off.

If this happened while at home, I wouldn't go outside and challenge them because they would probably smash my head in (unless I'm in Batman mode :-D ) . So I will film them through the window with a torch and my phone then hand the footage to police.

If they come fully tooled up and defeat all systems then fair play to them, I will just claim off my insurance.

I think the thing to consider here is that to gain access to the car they need to connect to the OBD and trigger the door release.

If the OBD is dead then they won't be able to get in to access the fusebox, let alone look for the one missing fuse amongst a half dozen empty slots that usually occur.

Of course! The deadlocks! Not only will they have to set off the alarm to get to the fusebox, they will also have to climb through a smashed window cos they would have to take a while to defeat the deadlocks. By the time they have faffed with all that, the cops could be there.

Out of interest how is the OBD port fixed in the car? Does it just pop out of that holder or is it fixed in from behind?

On the Mk2/2.5 Focus the port is held into the panel with a couple of metal spring clips.

Out of interest how is the OBD port fixed in the car? Does it just pop out of that holder or is it fixed in from behind?

It pops out,No spring clips holding it in place.

I don't know how it's connected actually. I did notice that it's fairly wobbly when I connected an OBDII reader to it though.

Maybe using a dremmel to drill the fuse from the 'flat' side could work.

Potential thieves would then have a non-working OBD port, deadlocks still active, alarms going off if they made for the fuse box..

Out of interest how does the car's standard steering lock work when you have the Ford Power button and no key?

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When I had my Impreza I had an isolator switch on the fuel system just a small toggle switch in the cabin flicked it when I got out and no power to the fuel pump they can do what the want but if they don't know where the switch is they'll never start it. I'm going to look at getting one for my ST.

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Like this

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Out of interest how does the car's standard steering lock work when you have the Ford Power button and no key?

I've asked about this since I didn't fancy it locking-up at 70 on the motorway and I see no way it can be guaranteed not to activate.

Saying that, I've never yet felt the lock actually activate.

Basically, the answer I got was - have faith :)

I've never felt it activate either. So I assume it doesn't have one? :O

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It does have one, it comes on after the ignition is turned off, you can hear an electric motor type noise.

Where is the OBD port? I looked in the footwell area and found a drop down door which seems like a coin holder. Couldn't see any ports.

Where is the OBD port? I looked in the footwell area and found a drop down door which seems like a coin holder. Couldn't see any ports.

Under the steering wheel, to the right. There is a little compartment, to keep change, etc. Open that and look up inside, you'll see the ODB port.

It does have one, it comes on after the ignition is turned off, you can hear an electric motor type noise.

... and if you hold the steering wheel, while pushing the button to turn ignition off, the steering will usually tug (as if an invisible force has tried pulling the steering wheel from your grip ). This would indicate the Ford steering lock is activated.

Ok guys, I decided to go down the fuse road tonight (steering lock on order) but I was confronted with a manual that bears no resemblence to the fuse box. See below:

Ok guys, I decided to go down the fuse road tonight (steering lock on order) but I was confronted with a manual that bears no resemblence to the fuse box. See below:

IMG_1967.JPG

IMG_1968.JPG

IMG_1966.JPG

Bottom pic, middle row 3rd fuse from the left, ( empty, empty 15A fuse)

Under the steering wheel, to the right. There is a little compartment, to keep change, etc. Open that and look up inside, you'll see the ODB port.

I'm sure I've seen that picture before ;)