Trends in Car Theft - ECM's in business rather than ICE

maktags · 9th October 2009, 13:33

Just wanted to share a similar experience, yesterday morning I parked my car outside my office in Sector-127, NOIDA and when I cam back in the night after office I just could not start my car - Maruti 800. I called up the Maruti Emergency number and as soon as they opened the car, the first which they said "Sir aapki gaadi ka ECM chori ho gaya hai". I asked what is that and they said "Gaadi ka DIL hota hai sir". Almost immediately, I asked for the cost and they said 14k. Fuf, I was shocked, for a 7 year old Maruti 800, can any part be that costly, but the fact was that it was. About 15-20 minutes later came to know that another colleague of mine which also drives a Maruti 800 to office has also lost his ECM. So I found a partner in agony.

Anyways, after that I tried calling up(several times) NOIDA police and they came only after 2 hours and instead blamed me saying why do you park your vehicles outside the office and you are responsible for the theft. They even went up to the extent ki pakka chori hi hua hai, ki tumne kisi se mil ke insurance claim karne ki soch rahe ho. Frustrated, I went to the Police station to lodge an FIR to local police station and after grilling for another 2 hours finally lodged an FIR. It was getting late around 1 am so we asked the guards to push the car inside the basement parking and went back home in Gurgaon

Today morning, went to Rohan motors and MotorKraft, two most famous MASS of NOIDA and both of them said insurance cannot be claimed on the current FIR as they had booked the theft under IPC 427 whereas for insurance claim it needs to be booked under IPC 379. Also there would be a deprecation of 50% and we will get the refund only after 45 days.

Extremely frustrated we went to local spare parts market(my colleague knew someone there) and they said a reconditioned ECM(my sense is they could be stolen) could be available
for 5-6k.

I need advice should we opt for reconditioned ECM (with little hassle, 15 min job) or still take the car to MASS(even after insurance claim it will cost me more and with huge hassles and leaving the car at workshop for 2-3 days)

Thanks

Khandelwal · 9th October 2009, 13:56

maktags, Sorry to hear about the ECMs getting stolen.

Well, I am your neighbour (sector 126) so I will now forward the link to your thread to create awareness with my colleagues.

I don't think there will be any problem in using "reconditioned ECM" - just ensure that you test is thoroughly for any electronic defect. Ensure that the radiator fan starts and stops on idle, works with AC (if you have one).

Pay a visit to Kashmere Gate/Karol Bagh/Sector 16 Auto market, you may find the "reconditioned ECMs" (basically stolen) there - negotiate and you may get it for a price much lesser that 5-6K.
Before going there, get a quote from M.A.S.S. for the actual price of the ECMs.

Also, get the ECM welded to your car to prevent further thefts.

All the best.

mithun · 9th October 2009, 18:11

I'm just wondering why thieves want to steal ECMs since it's not one of the things that people will go and buy often like cellphones ! Although I know that it's beneficial(monetary-wise !).

yzfrj · 9th October 2009, 19:37

Oh boy...! thieves are getting Hi-tech indeed.
For once I'm happy to have a carb car

Quote:

I need advice should we opt for reconditioned ECM (with little hassle, 15 min job) or still take the car to MASS(even after insurance claim it will cost me more and with huge hassles and leaving the car at workshop for 2-3 days)

Its better that you don't.
After all its the "heart" of the car.
What happens if you get one for 6k and it goes up in smoke in 3 months ?
You'll be back to square one.

Even with the delay with MASS and insurance people.
You'll need to shell out 7k, right ?

So you are spending marginally more, agreed time taken will be more in this case. But its better to have a genuine product backed with warranty.

Else to option you have is a junk yard hunt for "totaled" cars.

By going with the re-furbished ECU, you might be inadvertently promoting the thieves/racket who nicked your ECU in the first place.

arunmur · 9th October 2009, 23:47

The Maruti provided Nippon units are directly attached to the ECM if I am not wrong. I guess it protects the ECM.

Another good reason to buy cars with all power windows, difficult to get in.

It must be even easier for cars that have ECM in the hood.

maktags · 12th October 2009, 13:57

Thanks Everyone for inputs, I got the ECM installed; a reconditioned one, despite the fact that everyone including me wanted to have a new ECM, the whole hassle of the insurance process and the uncooperative nature of UP police prompted me to opt for a reconditioned ECM.

Costed me 6k and working fine, till now.

Fingers Crossed though

rajeev k · 24th January 2013, 14:31

A Mitsubishi Outlander was stolen from the house of a Gulf based businessman at Trivandrum. In fact the residence was burgled when the family was fast asleep. A laptop which was used by the businessman's daughter till 0100 hrs was also stolen indicating that the episode happened after that time. The important aspect is that the house had all the state-of-art security gadgets in place. The face of the thug was recorded in one of the cameras in place. The Outlander was used as a get away vehicle after the act after disabling the GPRS tracking system. He arrived at the house in an Esteem, stolen a day earlier from the city itself and in which he also had a pleasure trip to Kanyakumari. The thief has already been identified by the police and is a notorious high tech thief who was running a detective agency in the national capital.

Latest news is that the car was located at Bangaluru.

Vik0728 · 24th January 2013, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajeev k

The thief has already been identified by the police and is a notorious high tech thief who was running a detective agency in the national capital.

I just can't believe this rajeev k. Only last evening I was watching the movie "Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye" and was really wondering if "Making a Lavish Living" was really that easy!!

Honestly, when I was reading through your post, I could almost visualize couple of scenes from the movie.

I think your post has kicked both my doubts & questions into oblivion !!

ashtorque · 24th January 2013, 15:40

Just read in yesterdays newspaper (or somewhere) about this infamous theif named 'Bunty Chor' from NCR region. I guess the said theft is related to this news. Nothing short of a bollywood script ..eh?

a*ed · 24th January 2013, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtorque

Just read in yesterdays newspaper (or somewhere) about this infamous theif named 'Bunty Chor' from NCR region. I guess the said theft is related to this news. Nothing short of a bollywood script ..eh?

The theft in Trivandrum was committed by that 'Bunty Chor'. I guess the movie 'Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye' was based on him. Read it in Bangalore Mirror.

Mudhalaipatti · 24th January 2013, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by a*ed

The theft in Trivandrum was committed by that 'Bunty Chor'. I guess the movie 'Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye' was based on him. Read it in Bangalore Mirror.

Yes the movie is based on him. One heck of a celebrity.
Latest news is that the celebrity is behind bars -> http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle4339473.ece

rajeev k · 24th January 2013, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vik0728

Only last evening I was watching the movie "Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye" and was really wondering if "Making a Lavish Living" was really that easy!!

It was also in the Newspaper that the film "Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye" was made inspired on the exploits of this high tech thief who specializes in thefts in the metros.

n.devdath · 24th January 2013, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtorque

Just read in yesterdays newspaper

Quote:

Originally Posted by a*ed

Read it in Bangalore Mirror.

Here is the link to the item published in the TOI.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/18161225.cms

rajeev k · 24th January 2013, 23:40

There are contrasting reports in the media on the nabbing of Bunty Chor in Karnataka. The copy of his driving license which he has submitted as proof of residence when he stayed at a hotel in Trissur was being flashed by the visual media.

A TV interview of the Chor that was aired some years back can be seen in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWtGEg7jBQ

BuildUpGypsy · 25th January 2013, 00:11

Kerala Police strongly believe that he is under the custody of Karnataka Police. He is wanted by them too and they don't want to hand over him to Kerala Police.

Meanwhile, he abandoned the Outlander with doors locked and escaped with the key fob. Now the police is in search of flat bed truck to bring it back!

9th October 2009, 13:33	#31
maktags BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 46 Thanked: 11 Times	Faced ECM theft in my Maruti 800 Just wanted to share a similar experience, yesterday morning I parked my car outside my office in Sector-127, NOIDA and when I cam back in the night after office I just could not start my car - Maruti 800. I called up the Maruti Emergency number and as soon as they opened the car, the first which they said "Sir aapki gaadi ka ECM chori ho gaya hai". I asked what is that and they said "Gaadi ka DIL hota hai sir". Almost immediately, I asked for the cost and they said 14k. Fuf, I was shocked, for a 7 year old Maruti 800, can any part be that costly, but the fact was that it was. About 15-20 minutes later came to know that another colleague of mine which also drives a Maruti 800 to office has also lost his ECM. So I found a partner in agony. Anyways, after that I tried calling up(several times) NOIDA police and they came only after 2 hours and instead blamed me saying why do you park your vehicles outside the office and you are responsible for the theft. They even went up to the extent ki pakka chori hi hua hai, ki tumne kisi se mil ke insurance claim karne ki soch rahe ho. Frustrated, I went to the Police station to lodge an FIR to local police station and after grilling for another 2 hours finally lodged an FIR. It was getting late around 1 am so we asked the guards to push the car inside the basement parking and went back home in Gurgaon Today morning, went to Rohan motors and MotorKraft, two most famous MASS of NOIDA and both of them said insurance cannot be claimed on the current FIR as they had booked the theft under IPC 427 whereas for insurance claim it needs to be booked under IPC 379. Also there would be a deprecation of 50% and we will get the refund only after 45 days. Extremely frustrated we went to local spare parts market(my colleague knew someone there) and they said a reconditioned ECM(my sense is they could be stolen) could be available for 5-6k. I need advice should we opt for reconditioned ECM (with little hassle, 15 min job) or still take the car to MASS(even after insurance claim it will cost me more and with huge hassles and leaving the car at workshop for 2-3 days) Thanks
	() Thanks

9th October 2009, 13:56	#32
Khandelwal BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 48 Thanked: Once	maktags, Sorry to hear about the ECMs getting stolen. Well, I am your neighbour (sector 126) so I will now forward the link to your thread to create awareness with my colleagues. I don't think there will be any problem in using "reconditioned ECM" - just ensure that you test is thoroughly for any electronic defect. Ensure that the radiator fan starts and stops on idle, works with AC (if you have one). Pay a visit to Kashmere Gate/Karol Bagh/Sector 16 Auto market, you may find the "reconditioned ECMs" (basically stolen) there - negotiate and you may get it for a price much lesser that 5-6K. Before going there, get a quote from M.A.S.S. for the actual price of the ECMs. Also, get the ECM welded to your car to prevent further thefts. All the best.
	() Thanks

9th October 2009, 18:11	#33
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	I'm just wondering why thieves want to steal ECMs since it's not one of the things that people will go and buy often like cellphones ! Although I know that it's beneficial(monetary-wise !).
	() Thanks

9th October 2009, 23:47	#35
arunmur BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 156 Thanked: 10 Times	The Maruti provided Nippon units are directly attached to the ECM if I am not wrong. I guess it protects the ECM. Another good reason to buy cars with all power windows, difficult to get in. It must be even easier for cars that have ECM in the hood.
	() Thanks

12th October 2009, 13:57	#36
maktags BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 46 Thanked: 11 Times	Thanks Everyone for inputs, I got the ECM installed; a reconditioned one, despite the fact that everyone including me wanted to have a new ECM, the whole hassle of the insurance process and the uncooperative nature of UP police prompted me to opt for a reconditioned ECM. Costed me 6k and working fine, till now. Fingers Crossed though
	() Thanks

24th January 2013, 14:31	#37
rajeev k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Emerging Metro Posts: 3,351 Thanked: 1,955 Times	Hi-tech thief steals Outlander at Trivandrum A Mitsubishi Outlander was stolen from the house of a Gulf based businessman at Trivandrum. In fact the residence was burgled when the family was fast asleep. A laptop which was used by the businessman's daughter till 0100 hrs was also stolen indicating that the episode happened after that time. The important aspect is that the house had all the state-of-art security gadgets in place. The face of the thug was recorded in one of the cameras in place. The Outlander was used as a get away vehicle after the act after disabling the GPRS tracking system. He arrived at the house in an Esteem, stolen a day earlier from the city itself and in which he also had a pleasure trip to Kanyakumari. The thief has already been identified by the police and is a notorious high tech thief who was running a detective agency in the national capital. Latest news is that the car was located at Bangaluru.
	() Thanks

24th January 2013, 15:40	#39
ashtorque BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 55 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Re: Trends in Car Theft - ECM's in business rather than ICE Just read in yesterdays newspaper (or somewhere) about this infamous theif named 'Bunty Chor' from NCR region. I guess the said theft is related to this news. Nothing short of a bollywood script ..eh?
	() Thanks

25th January 2013, 00:11	#45
BuildUpGypsy BHPian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 46 Thanked: 51 Times	Re: Trends in Car Theft - ECM's in business rather than ICE Kerala Police strongly believe that he is under the custody of Karnataka Police. He is wanted by them too and they don't want to hand over him to Kerala Police. Meanwhile, he abandoned the Outlander with doors locked and escaped with the key fob. Now the police is in search of flat bed truck to bring it back!
	() Thanks