Resistor trick

If it's an older vehicle and customer doesn't give a rats ass for passlock then I just cut the yellow, read the r-value and hardwire the resistor.

I was going to say "just my two cents" but a resistor is closer to 5 cents.

One factor not discussed here is insurance. Basically the passlock system when left intact makes the vehicle very difficult, if not impossible for a typical thief to start. Most alarm/RS systems use a simple relay for a theft deterrant, very easy even for for my sister to get around.

Now I don't post this to debate about "personal preferance" etc. Just want to tell a little story.

A few years ago I got a call from somone that had their Ford truck was stolen and recovered by the police ,stripped in a ditch with the Ignition switch tore up. The insurance company was not only refusing to pay, but this person was being charged with insurance FRAUD. The reason is because the insurance company had a savvy investigator that knew simply breaking the ignition switch would not allow the vehicle to start (this Ford uses a PATS chip in the key).

What this person wanted from me was to appear in court on his behalf and explain how the thief could have bypassed the factory anti-theft system. Unfortunatly for this person I could not do this, for I myself belive it is highly doubtful that a thief was able to do this, so I could not testify on his behalf.

My conclusion is that either some installer completly bypassed it (hid the "capsule" or key near the antenna), or there is something fishey (fraud) going on.

So without this becoming an argument, which it shouldn't be, I think it is something to consider if you or for anyone else that you bypass for has theft coverage on thier insurance. Again, just a consideration..I think we all know there are easy shorcuts to permenantly bypass a Passlock, VATS or PATs that work fine. However if you integrate with the remote start properly to bypass (or a module if prefered) as long as the factory system remains intact, you remove all liability from yourself if this circumstance with insurance happens.

Take into consideration as well the fact that most insurance companies require a third party starter kill and/or tracking system because they don't trust the OEM immobilizers.

But, like I said, I do it if #1 the customer asks for it and #2 if it's a beater.

That can be true..depends, it varies state to state. I have lived in NY, NJ, TN, and now florida. The only question ask to me by insurance was does it have anti theft. Now this is the broker,,the companies themselves are quite aware of what the vehicle should have from the factory..and if not they find out fast when there is a claim. In NY was the exception. In that state they ask specifically if the antitheft system is "passive". If it is not then it doesn't matter how "fancy" or expensive of a system you install..they don't consider it and you don't even get the discount.

Now all the factory systems are passive, although any aftermarket system can be set up as pasive as well. But regardless of thier "faith" in the OEM system. try to explain your way out in event of a theft where the ignnition switch was busted or the vehicle was hot wired. good luck with that.