Shop4Parts - UK's largest online superstore for FIAT and Alfa Romeo parts

General  Attempted in break in?

Currently reading:
General  Attempted in break in?

J

JD82

Established member
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
Messages
927
Points
191
I stupidly forgot to lock my car after washing it last night. I noticed a few rough looking people walked past as I was washing it.

Today when I went into my car there were some documents from my glove box on the back seat, but I did go in their on saturday morning so it may have been me as I was very hungover when I got the documents out.

However when I tried to start the car the ignition key jammed, I quickly realised it was steering lock but it was all stuck. I then thought it thinks I am a theif so I got out the car locked it and then unlocked it again, I then put the key back in the ignition and the steering was working and it let me start the car.

I am very confused as to why this happened, the radio has also lost its presets.
 
JD82 said:
However when I tried to start the car the ignition key jammed, I quickly realised it was steering lock but it was all stuck.
Click to expand...

Actually, I've had this happen once to me. I didn't put the steering lock on yet it was stuck really bad, the usual key turn would not shift it. Took quite an effort to get it off. Perhaps it's a little dodgey. Not done it since though.
 
JD82 said:
I stupidly forgot to lock my car after washing it last night. I noticed a few rough looking people walked past as I was washing it.

Today when I went into my car there were some documents from my glove box on the back seat, but I did go in their on saturday morning so it may have been me as I was very hungover when I got the documents out.

However when I tried to start the car the ignition key jammed, I quickly realised it was steering lock but it was all stuck. I then thought it thinks I am a theif so I got out the car locked it and then unlocked it again, I then put the key back in the ignition and the steering was working and it let me start the car.

I am very confused as to why this happened, the radio has also lost its presets.
Click to expand...

this doesn't sound anything like a 'break-in' - documents would probably be strewn elsewhere than the back seat...maybe you grabbed/disturbed the wheel as you were getting out the day before and locked it like that?

There's an outside chance it could be someone mucking about...check they haven't tried moving it a few yards, handbrake off etc.

I returned to my old Vectra once after leaving it outside a girlfriends house and the wipers had been lifted off the screen (no damage done)...so these poltergeists DO exist :)
 
I don't no if it is a problem but if I turn the key so the ignition is on and wait a few secs for the lights to go out and then i try to turn it again and it doesn't let me start the engine. I've literally got to turn the key in one motion so the key doesn't jam. Maybe this is a sercurity feature?
 
robjnr said:
I don't no if it is a problem but if I turn the key so the ignition is on and wait a few secs for the lights to go out and then i try to turn it again and it doesn't let me start the engine. I've literally got to turn the key in one motion so the key doesn't jam. Maybe this is a sercurity feature?
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are turning the key slightly too far when moving to the ignition position. If this happens, it won't start - my students often do it until they get to know the car.

The same thing happens if they switch off but do not return the key to the fully-off position - it won't restart.
 
Started to tune in my radio today and noticed loads of scratches around the suround (Active model) it seems they have tried to pinch my radio when they were in my car :mad::mad:

I have mentioned it to the police and I am going to wire in an out door security light and have already fitted a CCTV camera. I am very annoyed, the damage isn't that bad, it took me three days to notice it but now I know the scratches are there :(.

The car isn't even two months old yet :mad::((n)

I am not sure what to do, I will probably just leave it, is it a big job to replace the surround? How much would a new Dyamnic + head unit cost?
 
JD82 said:
SI am very annoyed, the damage isn't that bad, it took me three days to notice it but now I know the scratches are there :(.
Click to expand...
Are they deep scratches or just faint ones?
The radio surround on my Active is made of some kind of coated plastic that scratches as soon as you touch it. Mine's all scuffed just from normal use.
 
Geddes said:
Are they deep scratches or just faint ones?
The radio surround on my Active is made of some kind of coated plastic that scratches as soon as you touch it. Mine's all scuffed just from normal use.
Click to expand...

A couple of them are very faint but there are few screw driver marks too. My Panda is now protected by CCTV and tomorrow I will have a PIR flood light shining on it :).

The damage is minor (it too me three days to notice it!) but its a brand new car with scratches and I know they are. I am tempted to fit a bigger head unit from a Dynamic but I am not sure how simple that is.

I wonder if the sorround can be replaced easily? I am guessing the head unit itself is secured by the steering lock and ignition and this was why my steering lock was on.
 
JD82 said:
A couple of them are very faint but there are few screw driver marks too. My Panda is now protected by CCTV and tomorrow I will have a PIR flood light shining on it :).
Click to expand...
That sucks. Clearly your burglar is an idiot. What does the standard fit stereo from an Active fetch down the pub these days?

It would be worth giving the steering lock a once over as well. If they have tried to jemmy it off and damaged it you really don't want it sticking as you drive along.
 
The steering lock is never usualy on, I think the ECU detected an introder. I unlock it I simply had to lock and unlock the door with my key and then it allowed me to put the key in the ignition. Before that I could not turn the ignition at all.

I've done over 20 miles in it since the attempt and everything is running as sweet as a nut :). There is no damage at all from the drivers area, I think it was all done from the passanger seat, e.g I think they just wanted my sat nav (which is in the house, no evidence of one in the car) ans realsied they had nothing to tried to knick a worthless CD player.

It is actually quite comical.

I live in a decent area too but my road is a bit of a cut through to a fairly rough council estate and I think because my part of Manchester is popular it is attracting some scum to the are as well as the wealthy.

I have noticed a lot of rough looking people around lately.

What is worrying more than anything is it always seems to be my cars which get targeted. I have been a victim three times this year, my dad hasn't been a victim once in the past ten years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

I
General Water in spare wheel floor
Replies
9
Views
233
DaveMcT
D
C
General Fumes in cabin
Replies
3
Views
196
rmjbn1
rmjbn1
R
General Attempted theft.
Replies
2
Views
407
There all puntos
There all puntos
D
  • Question
Tuning Sluggish in 3rd gear
3 4 5
Replies
92
Views
7K
timmycm850
T
thegreatbelow
Technical Judder in first gear
Replies
3
Views
622
DaveMcT
D
Back
Top