I was thinking... we need a few parts to secure our HIDs. I'm not sure if it would cause more damage to the car itself or actually thwart the theft by taking longer.

I was thinking of a combination of things.
1) 4 fairly flat Torx bolts, or perhaps an actual specially keyed bolt. Perhaps long enough for a backing nut on the bolt.
2) maybe thin, strong metal plate that covers the bolts. which can be locked. I realized that if it was thin enough to not obstruct the hood, that it might be easy to bend and be useless.
3) finally a small window sticker that says HIDs must be destroyed to be removed. Whether they would or not doesnt matter, but it would let them know that you at least gave thought to them stealing them and have taking measures. Heck, maybe a sticker is enough... dunno.

Even for you guys that have them stock (and not worried that insurance would replace them like I am), it might help your car from getting mangled and the wires cut.

just a thought

 

Tim, I understand that Accura is having a serious problem with this because the Accura TL HIDs can be easily used in the Honda Accord(essentially identical). If a thief steals them from the Maxima, which other Nissan model or other import cars will they fit in?

 

the single prime market for stolen Max lights is other Max owners!!!!

 

they come out in seconds.. and they fit any 5th gen max. And there have already been reports here of theft in NY/NJ and Dallas (or Houston I think).

 

That is scary! How do they get them out so fast? I don't see any screws, etc. Are they using a crowbar to pry them out? Or do they break into the car, open the hood, and then remove them?

 

give it another year or two (perhaps longer) when warranties run out and HID's start to fail...

they will be hot items in the underground market...

 

also in a couple of years...they will lose their novelty as more and more cars will be fitted with them.
Remember how CD players used to be stolen all the time, and now it's rare since most vehicles have them.

 

headlights are a necessity. And if thieves/chop shops can make a quick profit on parts they don't even need to steal the whole car for...I just see it being a popular commodity for a while. I mean, all the culprit risks is vandalism charges vs. the traditional auto theft charges if he had to take the whole car to get the lights...

TIM: Your ideas sound good from a technical standpoint and very creative...I am just not sure how ****ed off a thief would get at your car if he had already gotten them out of others much more easily...

 

but it hought the hood has to be open in order to ge te headlight out
how do they get into the headlight

 

mark, I could get them out of my car in about 2 mins. 2 bolts a side, plugs take a bit of time, but not if you are snipping the wires. they pull out in seconds.

I dont know how they are getting in the hood without tripping the alarm, but the hood latch sensor is probably easy to reach/cut. Its a simple GND activated plunger near the lights. Heck you might be able to see it from the grill looking in, I dont remember.

Its already happening, so its not just a theory/paranoia thing.

jjs, yeah, I suspect a crack fiend would probably smash them. At least he doesnt get them. My thought is that a small sticker might warn them that it will take longer than they think, and may just find another car to mess with.

 

Tim, I concur!

 

Maybe you can grease pencil you VIN number to the top of them and wrap some type of metal sheathing or pipe around the connector. This might not prevent the theft , but it would slow them down and make them think twice!

 

Tim, found the thread from the other one. Anyway, my friend said they don't take the headlights, but all they need is the black box that sits behind and headlights. This true?

 

in most cases they take it all... as that would be much quicker on a maxima. Since the ballast and bulb is hard to get to, I dont know why they would have done this. You cant get the housing separately.

That really defies logic for them to be nabbing ballasts and that hasnt been that case so far.

see my new 'kit' sticky.

I can also make the ballast bolts tamperproof.. but I havent looked at them yet.

 

Most people who steal the HIDs can't see how they are held in till they bend the hood back, fender, and bumper. Once that is done they can rip the light out, but the damage is done. So really securing them isn't any better of a idea. Now maybe something to shock them when they touch the car?

 

they are not damaging maximas.. no need to, they are that easy to get to. they are popping the hood without setting off the alarm. then as you know, the light are 2 bolts and a tug.

Yeah, I feel for you Acura guys.. they are doing $4000 in damage to rip them. ouch.. Even more reason to have a sticker or something.. that at least says, prepare to work your a$$ off for my lights.. hopefully they would go elsewhere. some principle of having an alarm.. if they have the time, you're screwed but the lazy ones move on.

 

Is this the Whole housing or just the bulb and ballist?
if they're so easy to get out why are the so much trouble getting in?
how do the theives pop the hood?

 

Timmeh,

Are they simply popping the hood from the front of the grille? Even then I cant seem to see how it is that easy to pop the hood. If anything all you need to do is fix that part where they cant have access to the hood latch wire. Once you fix that problem, I dont see how they can get in that easily.

Dixit

 

why not just wire an excruciatingly loud and annoying alarm to the hood? something like an old walkman with a barbara streisand tape in it??

 

I just know they can get in.. kinda like when they get in the car by breaking that back door window, without setting off the alarm (no door sensor on back doors?)

I think taking a good look at the latch wire and maybe routing is a good idea. but still... even with the alarm going, they arent going to need long.

Maxima06071, whole thing. thing is, yeah when you install everything and wiring, its a two hour job. but once you know how it works, you can get them out too quickly. I guess the upside is they arent destroying the car like Acuras. but still..