Not the first time some punk has tried to steal "Lil Bandit", but this time they did some serious damage. Trashed the ignition key cylinder, after getting in by trashing the driver's side door key cylinder (gosh, thanks for not breaking the window!). Very thankful that they didn't start snipping wires... 

My own fault, really... I usually have a Brake-Lok on the clutch pedal arm, and I believe it discourages them. It was off recently because I had to remove it without the key last week (was out on a service call and forgot I'd left my only key for it on my spare set of keys, so my buddy could use the car when he was visiting). I really like that lock better than the steering wheel Club-type, but I can tell you that with 30 minutes, a 3-foot pry bar, and a dream, you can get one off a pedal. You'll bend it a bit, but the car will be drivable.

What our little scumbag didn't realize was that since this "operation", there is something amiss with the kill switch associated with the clutch... they'd have been unable to start it without also bridging the solenoid terminals, LOL.

I just hadn't bothered using the brake lock again, even though it sort of works still... mostly because I figured that because of the kill switch, the car wouldn't get stolen. I forgot, of course, how much damage they might do trying to steal it.


Anyway, put the security lock back on (looks sound at a glance, FWIW) and also removed the battery.  That will complicate things for them, and they don't have a lot of time, being fairly exposed in that lot.

Fortunately, the parts are not very expensive, even the ignition switch itself (which I noticed was in bad shape anyway- thanks for revealing that, buddy!). Should have no problem installing that stuff, and now I have a good reason to try to solve the clutch-switch problem (I think the pedal arm is bent and isn't depressing that last tiny bit).

That can all wait until tomorrow... tonight I might decide to have a sit for a few hours in a shadowy corner of the parking lot, with my trusty golf putter handy...  

My friends laugh at me, an ex-girlfriend refused to ride with me (fine by me, you drive), but my car-theft paranoia gives me confidence that maybe this'll discourage them:

Club, Swat-R Lock, and two chains thru the wheel and locked onto the shifter. 

Yep, call me crazy, but my car is always there.   I know it could be towed, I guess, but that's a major op.  Front wheel drive, so I park head in and always set the parking brake.

And of course Wheellocks on the wheels.  My toolbox in the trunk is always locked and also chained up.  I don't keep the auto trunk release thing on, in case someone breaks in, they can't easily open the trunk. 

An ex-coworker from long ago would come into the office with his steering wheel.  Of course, it was the non-airbag type. 

Finally got the new cylinder and switch this morning, and installed them quickly... a rather simple operation, as fortunately I was able to eventually get the old key in what was left so I could turn the lock and release the old cylinder.
Naturally, the connecting block for the switch was in ruins, something I hadn't noticed. But with a little finessing, i was able to make sure all 11 crimps were seated on the new switch's pins.
Turned the key to ACCESS and... nothing. No dash lights, no fuel pump, nada.

FFFUUUUUUU.... 

Checked the battery by shorting the ignition relay... the starter motor revved right up, and the engine would have started were it not for the lack of fuel pressure. The battery was healthy.

OK, obviously it's that damn ignition switch block... but no, the contact should be good. Pulled the block off and got my meter (which was upstairs, of course, not in the toolbox as it should be). No voltage on the leads from the battery! AArgh!
Double-checked the leads at the battery, took an actual reading on the battery, checked the block again... checked all the fuses, even though they shouldn't matter... then it occurred to me that there might be a fusible link somewhere on that line. Aha! Found it, right where the lead to the switch connects to the ignition relay. Never seen a blown one, but I'm assuming that's what caused the last inch or so of cable between the link and the terminal to shrivel up to the point of breaking (the insulation was intact, a bit misleading at first glance).  Why it happened, I dunno- maybe from repeatedly starting the car by shorting the ignition relay?   

I'll probably replace the link, but for now I just bypassed it. Success- sort of... there was power to that buss now, but no hazards or turn signals. Ooookaaayyy... deep breath, count to ten, resist urge to put head thru windshield...

Monkeyed with the connecting block for the hazard switch (I'd had to remove the dash surround, and obviously some 20-yr-old mess of wires got disturbed), and got the turn signals working, at least. Chances are good that the hazard flasher is blown, but that can wait.

Got Lil' Bandit to start by shorting the relay again, and everything seemed OK except for the hazards. So, realizing I'd somehow succeeded in fixing something in one day with only 3 trips upstairs, I got to feeling cocky, and decided to see if I was right about the bent clutch pedal arm. If I was right, straightning it a bit would allow me to start the car normally- surely the clutch interlock switch was OK...?

A little exertion with a big prybar, and- voila! Great success! BRUM BRUM Buddadbuddabudda... beautiful pony-car music, and I didn't have to pop the hood to do it. 

Very good news, as I have some much-needed work tomorrow, and need the wheels to get there. The Brake-Lok is back on, as a deterrent, at least... I think I'll finally have to splurge on an alarm, if for no other reason than I'll be alerted next time, and will have the opportunity to run downstairs and crack someone's shoulder blade (and a few ribs) with my putter.