Really sorry to read this Gene! Hopefully the police can locate it before any damage.

 

Me, too. Thanks!

 

Wow this really sucks and really brazen to break into garage, break window, start car and drive off like they owned it SMH! So I assume the security override device prevented the honking horn when entry was breached but I assume the device allowed them to start and drive the car off?

 

Today, I sadly report that my Blade Silver 2014 Corvette Stingray was stolen out of my garage on 10/10/2023 at 2:30am. At least that's what the security video shows.

The thieves broke the driver side window and used some sort of device to override the security features. We didnt hear a thing.

I called OnStar to locate the car. They said they couldn't help because all the towers have been upgraded to 5G and my car has an older system.

Truly bummed out...

Was the garage door open?

 

Yes, I would also like to know how they got into the garage.

 

My car was recovered 65 miles from my home. Picked it up last night. Most of the damage is in the interior, and the broken driver's window. Needs a good detailing after repairs are completed. Geico is doing a great job!

 

That is great news Gene!

 

Forget the garage. I want to know how they were able to start the car without the key fob.

 

The thieves have computers that they carry around and they come to your front door or doors where people likely drop they place there car keys when they are at home. If they get close enough they can pick up your fob unique signals and use their laptop/tablet as the fob to start and drive off. They are doing this same thing at dealers store lots more targeted at Dodge Dealers getting the hellcats. There are many videos on youtube showing in action cars being stolen without keys and one example is this youtube.

 

I dropped the car off this morning at Stevens Creek Chevrolet in San Jose. I know the service manager so I know I will get good service. They can replace the driver's side window, have it tinted, perform a complete mechanical inspection, complete all the repairs, and do a complete detailing including exterior, interior and engine bay. The engine bay was covered in dirt, dust and small rocks. I guess they went 4-wheeling with the Vette.

The service manager said they could install and hide a kill switch which disables the ignition module without affecting the battery or the rest of the car's electronic or computer settings. Nothing else would be affected. Basically, park the car, flip the switch, and lock the doors. Even if they have the codes, the car will not start. It can be hidden inside or outside the vehicle since it only affects the ignition.

Here are a few photos of the theft from the security camera. Photos of the thieves arriving and driving off with the Vette. And photos of damage, the driver's window, fuse box and battery reservoir. Service manager said they removed a few fuses. Car alarm and lock are disabled as well as the horn. He said they "know" Corvettes and it had to be well planned.

 

........The service manager said they could install and hide a kill switch which disables the ignition module without affecting the battery or the rest of the car's electronic or computer settings. Nothing else would be affected. Basically, park the car, flip the switch, and lock the doors. Even if they have the codes, the car will not start. It can be hidden inside or outside the vehicle since it only affects the ignition.......

Ha Ha! I did something like that almost 50 years ago, and it worked! I've posted this before, but for the record: I lived in Cambridge, near Boston, in the early '70s with a '67 Corvette coupe. Worried about possible theft in Boston, I installed not an ignition cutoff but a fuel cutoff which let the car start and run on only the fuel left in the carburetor float bowl. I installed an on/off rocker switch hidden under the carpet on the passenger side of the center console, which I could reach and turn off by feel through the carpet when I got out of the car, but no one else could see it. Sure enough, one Saturday night when I was visiting a friend in Boston, it was stolen. Reported it to the police then went looking for it and found it a couple blocks away with minimal damage. Boston's Finest wouldn't even take a report; they said of the hundreds of Corvettes stolen in Boston every year, mine was the only one recovered. "Go home and be happy", they said. I recommend the switch hidden under the carpet; easy to use and no one else can see it. I used the same approach on my '95 ZR-1 for a switch for electric exhaust cutouts, pictured below. --Bob

 

Good idea!

 

Sorry about your travails. I'm in the SJ area also. Makes me scared.
I do have a couple questions.

So even if I have Onstar they can't do anything? Mine is a 2016. I guess I need to ask Onstar.

Other question is about Stevens Creek Chevy. This cut off switch....are you getting it? I hope they can do it for a C8 which I plan to buy from them.

 

1. I plan on installing a kill switch after all the work is completed. Bryan Yorkey, the service manager, has some ideas that I will share with the group.

2. Theives can disable OnStar now. Talk to OnStar.

3. My car was driven hard by the thieves. Differential is being replaced, as well as 2 new rear tires. Insurance inspector said it appears it was used for burn outs and/or side shows.

4. The good news is the motor and transmission are fine. Kudos to GM.

5. The exterior body remains perfect. And the interior will be perfect after rear deck carpet and driver's window are replaced. The cars exterior, interior and engine are getting a complete detail.

Highly recommend Steven's Creek Chevrolet in San Jose, CA. I deal directly with the service nanager. Highly recommend Geico. I got a great adjuster who had no problem replacing the rear differential, a costly repair.

Hope this helps.

 

Good info.

Most garage doors can be opened very easily. There are a number of videos on how this is done. And a few ideas on how to prevent it.

To prevent this, I drilled a hole in the side rail above one of the castor wheels, and slipped in a large lock. Actually one on each side. They would need to dismantle the door to get in. I hope I would hear that.

 

Good advice. According to SJPD, huge increase in stolen Corvettes this year.

It's truly a sad commentary on society. We work hard, save for the down payment, take our time selecting our special car, pay for insurance, wash/wax/service, and enjoy. (And, oh yeah... don't forget the kill switches, garage door locks, security cameras, wheel locks, alarms, etc. It's not the way we were raised... 😔) Am I right?

 

Today, I sadly report that my Blade Silver 2014 Corvette Stingray was stolen out of my garage on 10/10/2023 at 2:30am. At least that's what the security video shows.

The thieves broke the driver side window and used some sort of device to override the security features. We didnt hear a thing.

I called OnStar to locate the car. They said they couldn't help because all the towers have been upgraded to 5G and my car has an older system.

Truly bummed out...

 

Sorry to hear this. I hope you weren’t paying for the use of Onstar, since your vehicle was an old system. You would think they could do something to help you. I hope you get your car back soon.

 

Thanks for your support. The car was recovered and being restored to its original glory. Please see above conversation.

 

Today, I sadly report that my Blade Silver 2014 Corvette Stingray was stolen out of my garage on 10/10/2023 at 2:30am. At least that's what the security video shows.

The thieves broke the driver side window and used some sort of device to override the security features. We didnt hear a thing.

I called OnStar to locate the car. They said they couldn't help because all the towers have been upgraded to 5G and my car has an older system.

Truly bummed out...

So...anti-theft is a feature that attacks us to renew our OnStar subscriptions which no longer works. Thanks GM.

 

It's my understanding that the device used by thieves, or by using their phone or laptop as a "key fob," they can disable OnStar no matter what version you may have. If anyone has additional theft problem-solving information, please join in.

 

Thanks for this response, Gene. I verified with OnStar over the phone that my 2015 works with their 5G network upgrade and is connected. I was just ending my call with OnStar when your email was delivered to me.

 

Very cool. Wonder if they can update my system. What's the cost for an OnStar 5G subscription?

 

Gene, I found an older thread on this forum about 2G signals being dropped to make room for 5G. Unfortunately, no one responded with a resolution.

 

I usually remove the starter control module from the fuse box under the hood of all my other vehicles. This disables only the started. My Chevy service advisor said that I should not do this my Corvette. But I think he is just erroring on the safe side. He doesn't give an explanation. Is it safe to do this for my unmolested C7 2015 Corvette Stingray Z51?

 

OK guys! Start chiming in.

 

Thank you for the information.

 

Today, I sadly report that my Blade Silver 2014 Corvette Stingray was stolen out of my garage on 10/10/2023 at 2:30am. At least that's what the security video shows.

The thieves broke the driver side window and used some sort of device to override the security features. We didnt hear a thing.

I called OnStar to locate the car. They said they couldn't help because all the towers have been upgraded to 5G and my car has an older system.

Truly bummed out...

Gene, the suggestions of a ignition on/off switch or a fuel cutoff switch are very good. However, there are some somewhat sensitive Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS) sensors that could be affected. I lived in Los Angeles in the early 80's, and car theft was one of the highest in the nation. I had a '67 427/435 hp Coupe which is very easy to steal i stock form. I found a very good alarm shop that showed me many options to protect the '67. The one key thing they told me was to make the alarm system simple and unique. Car thieves rely on vehicles all being the same as far as wiring and switches. They also said the only thing a thief cannot bring to steal your car is fuel. Stop fuel delivery and the car won't start. Add something like a Chapman Shatter Guard and breaking windows will trigger the alarm. These same alarm experts can make certain your vehicle is wired safely using additional switches and sensors that they didn't or could never plan for. Find that absolute best alarm guy in your part of the country and pay his price. Your peace of mind and theft prevention will be well worth the investment. Oh yes, if you do something along these lines make certain that you do not ever discuss what you have done or brag about it to friends.

 

Got it, thanks!

 

Today, I sadly report that my Blade Silver 2014 Corvette Stingray was stolen out of my garage on 10/10/2023 at 2:30am. At least that's what the security video shows.

The thieves broke the driver-side window and used some sort of device to override the security features. We didnt hear a thing.

I called OnStar to locate the car. They said they couldn't help because all the towers have been upgraded to 5G and my car has an older system.

Truly bummed out...

I have a 2014 Stingray Corvette C7 as well and OnStar said that the comment about the towers being updated to 5G is the only reason they could not locate your Corvette. WoW! than what good is OnStar? Sorry to hear about your Corvette being stolen. Hope that law enforcement can locate your vehicle.

 

Please guys...read ALL the posts before responding