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HoustonPhotog
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013
Posts: 1526
Location: Houston, TX
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 Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 11:43 am Post subject: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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Posted on the VanAlert App
Stolen Van Notifications, Driveway Camp Hosts, Repair Shop Database & More!
Download Here: http://vanalert.com/
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CA - Alameda : 1986 Vanagon Westfalia Camper
Stolen On: August 29, 2022
Stolen In: Alameda, CA (East End)
Vehicle Details:
1986 Vanagon Westfalia Camper (Gold)
California License Plate: 7FIR111
Theft Deterrent Installed: None
Added Details:
Blue front clip. Black painted rocker panels. Lifted pop top camper van, side ladder and rear swing away spare tire carrier. Lots of stickers on driver's side rear window. Gas can on rear swing away. Aftermarket alloy wheels. Front light bar above windshield. Rook rack.
If spotted, please contact your local Police Department immediately.
Contact Amy
Cell: 415-269-4187
Email: [email protected]
_________________
Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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eghall
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2012
Posts: 63
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 6:41 am Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Vanagon Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA |
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Recovered at the Wood Street Homeless encampment on 9-4-22. Found by owner. Thank you to all those who reached out, gave tips and kept an eye out.
I am not sure how to alter this posting title since its by Abel, so im just posting this here.
if you dont have vanalert, download it.
if you dont have a tracker, get it.
if you have a kill switch, use it. i got lucky and they tripped it. |
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cmayna
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 1173
Location: SF Bay area, CA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 8:14 am Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Vanagon Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA |
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Very awesome for the recovery. So did the rig have a theft deterrent? Kill switch?
_________________
'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Craig |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8428
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 10:39 am Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Vanagon Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA |
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| cmayna wrote: |
| So did the rig have a theft deterrent? Kill switch? |
| HoustonPhotog wrote: |
Vehicle Details:
1986 Vanagon Westfalia Camper (Gold)
California License Plate: 7FIR111
Theft Deterrent Installed: None |
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4373
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 11:53 am Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Vanagon Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA |
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| eghall wrote: |
| if you have a kill switch, use it. i got lucky and they tripped it. |
Yes, unclear on that also
In either case - its a case for auto-activating kill switch
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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Californio
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1357
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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| Now if we could just do something about the thousands of tweakers and crazies living in the encampments. I'm from Oakland, still own a house there, and dread the idea of going back. Yes, I have a kill switch but of course the cat is just hanging there waiting to be stolen...distressing when it happens to your city... |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4373
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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| Californio wrote: |
| when it happens to your city... |
Elected officials make the policy the population votes on.... We have no one other than ourselves to blame.... And the special interest groups have pull because they advocate - even if they are in the actual minority but in perceived majority.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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eghall
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2012
Posts: 63
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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Yes, the vehicle had a kill switch. No i didn't have it killed when i parked last. That's why we didn't say it had one, because they did not overcome it. I typically used it only if i'm in a sketch area or a trailhead, turns out home is now a sketch area. The thieves inadvertently turned it on, as it is similar to some setups on the forums here and easy to turn on if you don't know what it is.
So it worked, kinda, since it didn't move after they did that and likely the reason i found it.
Sorry if it caused confusion, my wife posted to vanalert since i was out of town at the time. Abel, if it helps feel free to update it, or let me know how. |
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cmayna
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 1173
Location: SF Bay area, CA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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Aha! So I was right!
When I installed my kill switch, I had to deal with deciding on the switch's location as being convenient or way outa the way, making me too lazy to flip it.
Finally found a good spot. Now, even at home or at a store, or whereever, it get's flipped. And yes, I also have a tracker.
Again, Very glad you folks got yours back.
_________________
'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Craig |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4373
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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| cmayna wrote: |
| . Now, even at home or at a store, or whereever, it get's flipped. . |
ONLY in you remember to flip it!
Set it up to automatic engage and never forget again!
Even with auto engage, you can manually disengage it like if you give you van to a shop so they don't need to know your kill switch info.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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Schnippzle
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2021
Posts: 288
Location: Swede in London, UK
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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| vanis13 wrote: |
| cmayna wrote: |
| . Now, even at home or at a store, or whereever, it get's flipped. . |
ONLY in you remember to flip it!
Set it up to automatic engage and never forget again!
Even with auto engage, you can manually disengage it like if you give you van to a shop so they don't need to know your kill switch info. |
These are some of the reasons why I really like the ScorpionTrack system I have installed on both my daily and the motorbike. It requires a specifically programmed fob to start the vehicle. If three starts are attempted without the fob, the police are alerted by ScorpionTrack immediately. Then, if either vehicle starts to move without being switched on, ScorpionTrack will track and relay the vehicle location to the police.
I do have the option to disable this in the app on the phone, for servicing, transportation, etc...
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2016 MB E63 AMG S - The daily driver
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4373
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 4:55 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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| vanis13 wrote: |
| Set it up to automatic engage and never forget again! |
I got a PM asking about this. this is the reply I sent:
The recent links in search will have various approaches.
1) simple - put in a relay to disconnect the starter trigger wire unless a "special" button/switch/action sends power to the relay to allow the starter trigger wire to send the start signal. relay is always off (kill switch active) and only on temporarily when "special" button is pressed.
2) more complex (usually for fuel pump but can also be for starter) - there is a 2-relay system that when activated by "special" button keep the relay active until car is shut down. Important on fuel pump kill since it needs to keep running.
I like #1 for simple and van doesn't move unless it starts and no chance of fuel pump turning off due to a bad relay. But it gives the thief time to just rummage through the car where its parked.
I also have VanTracker set up that I get a text EACH time my door is open. so I get notice if someone entered my van (like to steel stuff) even if it doesn't move.
Some folks like #2 since van starts from fuel in system and then dies so thief thinks it just broke down (partially out of parking lot/middle of the road) and may be likely to abandon the vehicle since it is much more suspicious.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2638
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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You only need one relay for the fuel pump ground switching. Coil is powered from the 'key in' circuit, grounded by a momentary switch to trigger it, but also by the switched contact in the relay, with the NO contact permanently grounded. That switched contact also grounds the fuel pump.
This always arms the kill switch when the key is removed.
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1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4373
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 7:33 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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| fxr wrote: |
You only need one relay for the fuel pump ground switching. Coil is powered from the 'key in' circuit, grounded by a momentary switch to trigger it, but also by the switched contact in the relay, with the NO contact permanently grounded. That switched contact also grounds the fuel pump.
This always arms the kill switch when the key is removed. |
And Disarms it if a key (or maybe a screwdriver?) is inserted?
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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Abscate 
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 23776
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2022 3:17 am Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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| vanis13 wrote: |
| fxr wrote: |
You only need one relay for the fuel pump ground switching. Coil is powered from the 'key in' circuit, grounded by a momentary switch to trigger it, but also by the switched contact in the relay, with the NO contact permanently grounded. That switched contact also grounds the fuel pump.
This always arms the kill switch when the key is removed. |
And Disarms it if a key (or maybe a screwdriver?) is inserted? |
If Iβm reading this right, no. Key/object in. Momentary ground toggle required
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eghall
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2012
Posts: 63
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2022 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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@cmayna thanks for the kind words. good to have her back, slightly worse for the wear but i'll count myself lucky, i know i am.
@vanis13 that is good info. i have to look into my setup. IIRC i used the ECM interface for the ej22 but am reconsidering for obvious reasons. set it and forget it would have saved my skin last time, i am not keen to repeat this experience again. lesson learned. Not knowing if my hand-built machine its on fire somewhere or being parted out was hard, very hard.
@schnippzle thats a fancy tracker system. thanks for details. i did something more basic, but now have satellite connectivity and backup system.
also for what its worth the fuel pump circuit method is more effective in my experience, since after the scumbags tripped the kill switch and it 'broke down' it had them thinking it was a malfunction, so they added a gallon of oil to the motor, a gallon of trans fluid (auto) and tried to spray start fluid (and disconnect the MAF) into it to no avail, so i am a believer in this approach over the no start circuit, which puts them in your wiring right away. they only got 16 miles on the clock before the twitchy fingers saved my bacon, so hoping for good outcome in terms of mechanicals. of course they drilled the gas tank, so until i get a new one from BL i cant test. this will take time. |
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Microbusdeluxe
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Joined: July 26, 2003
Posts: 1003
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2022 10:43 am Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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What does this mean? "of course they drilled the gas tank" Thanks
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'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
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MsTaboo
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4546
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2022 10:47 am Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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| Microbusdeluxe wrote: |
| What does this mean? "of course they drilled the gas tank" Thanks |
Locking gas cap?
To the owner - glad you got your rig back, hopefully not badly damaged.
Good luck to you and bad karma to the scumbags who stole!
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
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eghall
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2012
Posts: 63
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2022 9:35 am Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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@microbusdeluxe they drilled a 3/8" hole through the bottom of the gas tank to steal my gas, ruining the tank.
@msTaboo thanks. yes, i had a locking gas cap but they overcame that (was original keyed to the rest of the car), then still decided to drill the tank.
Just got replacement tank from buslab yesterday, so im installing that today. i am on the hunt for another original gas cap i can re-key, if anyone out there has one(nothing on classifieds i could find). |
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Microbusdeluxe
Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2003
Posts: 1003
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2022 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: STOLEN: 1986 Westfalia Camper (Gold) in Alameda, CA **FOUND** |
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So sorry to hear about these scumbags punching a hole in your gas tank.
_________________
'69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig! |
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