Somone stole my bus this morning!!

Someone tried too steel my bus this morning at 5.10, luckily I heard her dulcet tone in my dream and woke up. Called 999 and luckily for me the culpret had parked up down the road. I can't tell you much more as the case may go to court, apart from he got away. The front quarter window was smashed and the ignition barrel broken, hopefully not any further damage I can't tell at the moment as she is off to forensics (how very glamourous). Hopefully the barrel will be fixable otherwise do you think I may have problems with immoboliser and the key to the computer? (CPU) Big thanks to the local constabulary( Met Police).

Wow that was a lucky escape. You shouldn't have problems with the barrel as they are readily available.

EVERYONE make sure you have at minimum an accessory anti-theft device!!

Good advice Tim.

Glad to hear the theft wasn't successful Richard, here's hoping a simple fix will restore your Kombi.

Richard wrote:

she is off to forensics (how very glamourous).

Big thanks to the local constabulary( Met Police).

Trust me real life forensics isn't that glamourous, thats where I ended up. (and I agree the Police are wonderful)

Phew! That was a close call. Glat to hear you got her back.

Surprised and shocked they got passed the factory immoboliser. Thought VW were one of the best

Good you got your van back so many don't

Sorry to read your tale, but glad you still have your Kombi

Sorry to hear the bad news. Thank god you woke up! If you need any help Richard just PM me...I dont think they got passed the immobiliser Kiteman. They got as far as smashing the window and damaging the lock?

Richard wrote:

and luckily for me the culpret had parked up down the road.

Looks like they did get away with it initially, Jason.

TimV wrote:

EVERYONE make sure you have at minimum an accessory anti-theft device!!

True! I recently installed a gear blockade that keeps the reverse gear locked. Will post some informarion rhe next days...

afaik the immobiliser allows you to start the engine for a few seconds but then shut it down without the appropriate key in the ignition barrel.

haum wrote:

afaik the immobiliser allows you to start the engine for a few seconds but then shut it down without the appropriate key in the ignition barrel.

I can confirm that this is indeed the case having on one occasion tried to start Tallulah with our surf key. She started, but stopped again after less than a second.

If your BraziBay is going to sit idle for a bit, there are some very simple bits that can be removed to prevent its functionality. I'm not going to detail them - just think about it.

Hi thanks for all your feedback and support. regading the immobliser he seems to have got past that as he drove it for about 300 yards (or could it have then clicked in?)

Probably clicked in and stopped him? I hope they get the thief with finger prints etc....

Richard wrote:

Hi thanks for all your feedback and support. regading the immobliser he seems to have got past that as he drove it for about 300 yards (or could it have then clicked in?)

I reckon that'll be your Aircooled Kombi protecting itself by doing the usual trick of not starting again when cold! The thief must have got it started somehow but stalled it, and then as per the norm the engine would not get going again until all the excess fuel had dissipated. In this particular instance a fantastic characteristic to have. The immobiliser allows the engine to start, but then instantly stalls - not enough to get 300 yards down the road. Your BraziBay took control of its destiny!!

I was going to suggest that he was an amateur, and not a 'proper' kombi driver, and couldn't get it into second.

TimV wrote:

In this particular instance another fantastic characteristic to have.

As Tim says, anything that can be done to make it more difficult is worth it.

I've just googled another forum and they have a section for stolen bays, they had ten in the last 12 months.

Could be right about getting it into gear as I could here the struggle, he probably found the steering quite frightening as well. The other great anti theft tool is restarting after a short journey! There is a knack that only we know.

I won't bother to get those tappets adjusted just yet!

Oh thats a horrible thing to happen - good to hear they didn't get far.
Hope you're reunited soon.
Ellie

As promissed, here is one part of my anti-theft-strategy...



Installation was a bit critical as you need to drill few holes, but overall performance of the unit is just fine! If you are interested in more details, feel free to pm me.

Sorry to hear about your news , lets hope the police can find his finger prints .

Just to update you, they caught the thief. Bus still with forensics. Thanks for all support.

Good stuff. Let's hope you get your Kombi back safe and sound very soon.

Good news indeed, lets hope it leads to some more 'clearups'.

Bit concerned they've had your bus for a week, should only take two days at most to do dabs and DNA.

(I suspect those naughty Met people have been taking advantage over the weekend for a trip to Clacton......no offence Irish)

Joking apart, really glad it has worked out in the end.