[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by gd1418

Anup, my reason for asking this was to know if it was possible to remove the ECU when you park the car and refit when come back, like you do with the music system where one removes the HU and refits.

Sir, it might be easier to just install a hidden kill switch. This switch can basically cut off all electrical power needed to start up the engine.

[ramkya1]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

Sir, it might be easier to just install a hidden kill switch. This switch can basically cut off all electrical power needed to start up the engine.

I think this is what many pepole have done; when I met Anupji @ Delhi he discussed the same. This is an effective way used by many fleet owners, once the warranty is over.

I've not done so as this will make the warranty void.

====

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by ramkya1

I've not done so as this will make the warranty void.

====

They don't have to know that you have installed one. Warranty will be intact this way. Also the basic idea of this switch is that only you know that it exists and maybe the electrician who installed it.

I have a similar RPM limiting switch in my car that nobody knows about. In the extremely rare case that a driver drives my car, then it is with the switch on. The car will not go above 2500 rpm.

[getsurya]

Tsk,

all mHawks have generic company set passcodes, which need to be personalized on delivery of the car to the customer. This is where the 'slip' of the cup is!! ATM cards cannot be compared to cars as ATM cards are designed/embossed post you become a banks customer, unlike CARS!!( I am sure we all know this) .
mHawk issue can be likened to the network locked mobile keys/software which are available around the world and are used to buy the networked locked phones at cheaper rates which then are unlocked using a master software key/pass code!!
Also all mHawks do not come with the same Key.

[tsk1979]

It does not matter where the lapse is, dealer or at M&M. For the customer it means a stolen vehicle!
does the owners manual say you have to change passcode?

[manubharadwaj]

Hi there,

Have been going thru this thread where in ramky was kind enough to put up the article on stolen Mhawk. Couple of findings.

With regards the Immobilizer code, the initial buyers of Mhawk didnt have a clue that it could be changed or tampered with. In fact i was so gung ho about the fact that my Mhawk wont be stolen because of the Immob code, and other scorpiod were being stolen. It is not the case that from Navi Mumbai only it is getting stolen. It is happening from other areas too. Like i came across this gentleman from Mumbai who's MHawk got stolen within 2 days of buying it.

Back to my case... it got stolen on the night of september-7th, this year. Have enough proof that doors were closed so on and so forth. Did the necessary ground work post theft of the car with police and insurance. Called up the ASC and come to know that they have got a circular two days back asking them to get the Immob codes changed. And they were in the process of calling buyers who had bought it. And unfortunately they missed me out. Another person with an Mhawk from the same dealership had received a call for change of the code. Before he could go to get it changed the car got stolen.

all in all i speak to the manufacturer official, and he says it takes atleast 4-5 hours to break into the Immob and do away with th e car and stuff like that. He is also going on record to say that all Immob codes are different, and is like the ATM pin which nobody has access too, and so on and so forth. Compare it with the ASC guys reply that since all the immob codes across the Mhawks are the same M&M has asked them to change it.

All i am asking from guys who own MHawks is, please do not be complacent, put gears locks if you can, and also a GSM based tracking device which you get in delhi, this will give you the last three positions of the car, if it is stolen. Plus whatever precautions you can take. And about MP and Raj rural areas buying such vehicles add one more to the list, which is Eastern UP. Got to know that in Jaunpur and azamgarh, you will find many cars with MH-43 and Mh-04 registration.

Finally, if the car is stolen, understand that it will take minimum of 6 months to get the claims, i.e, if you are lucky.
cheers

Manu

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

Also the basic idea of this switch is that only you know that it exists and maybe the electrician who installed it.

Ah, therein lies the rub! One electrician fits such a switch for many dozens of cars. Every thief knows where such switches are located! These very cleverly concealed switches become public knowledge in no time at all!

If you want one that is somewhat effective, do it yourself. That is the ONLY way.

[ramkya1]

Originally Posted by manubharadwaj

Hi there,

Have been going thru this thread where in ramky was kind enough to put up the article on stolen Mhawk. Couple of findings.

.............................

Finally, if the car is stolen, understand that it will take minimum of 6 months to get the claims, i.e, if you are lucky.
cheers

Manu

Manu,

Thanks for getting in the 1st hand perspective.

What's the M&M take on the issue and if you have gone to consumer court, has any hearing been done? Just to know what's the legal stand here?

--

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Ah, therein lies the rub! One electrician fits such a switch for many dozens of cars. Every thief knows where such switches are located! These very cleverly concealed switches become public knowledge in no time at all!

If you want one that is somewhat effective, do it yourself. That is the ONLY way.

True.

Or you can get the wiring run and then install the switch wherever you want yourself.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

Or you can get the wiring run and then install the switch wherever you want yourself.

Vikram, I don't endorse this approach. The wiring HAS to be part of the secret! The second part is that the switch is hidden.
If a thief knows the 'take-off' point for the wiring, he'll simply short it in the engine bay itself; needn't search for the switch!

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Vikram, I don't endorse this approach. The wiring HAS to be part of the secret! The second part is that the switch is hidden.
If a thief knows the 'take-off' point for the wiring, he'll simply short it in the engine bay itself; needn't search for the switch!

Hmm. Never thought about this side of the coin. My bad.

[SirAlec]

actually it uses a RFID chip, which was hacked before it became mainstream.

I can only thank mahindra for putting this wonderful technology in their scorpio.
First it was wheels falling off without any apparant reason and now this.

You guys do need to rectify your quality control for the 9 odd lacs that you ask for these junk.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

actually it uses a RFID chip, which was hacked before it became mainstream.

SirAlec, I would be grateful if you could throw some more light on this. Where/what is this RF-ID chip? What exactly does it 'protect'?
Surely it is very different from the (RF-ID based?) iCATs system that Maruti is fitting in every car it produces.?

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by manubharadwaj

Hi there,

Have been going thru this thread where in ramky was kind enough to put up the article on stolen Mhawk. Couple of findings.

.............................................

Finally, if the car is stolen, understand that it will take minimum of 6 months to get the claims, i.e, if you are lucky.
cheers

Manu

thanks a lot for the advice manu, even i have an mHawk. i have not got any call from my ASC to get the code changed. so should i willingly go there and get this job done? if yes, are the technicians trained enough to do this job?
after i personalize my code, is my vehicle more safe as there have been posts in this thread that mahindra techinicians are helping out the theives!

[vikram_d]

Raj - it should be safer as the technicians will not know your code, only you will.