VEHICLE COMPONENT THEFT DETERRENCE SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Systems and methods for theft deterrence monitoring of a vehicle component (e.g., a catalytic converter) can include an electrical conductor configured to be electrically connected to the vehicle component to close a circuit (i.e., the vehicle component may provide a conductive path for closing the circuit). The theft deterrence system can generate a reference voltage using the vehicle component. Tampering with or removing the vehicle component from the vehicle can alter or open the circuit, thereby altering the reference voltage. The system can compare the reference voltage with a voltage threshold and trigger an alarm in response to the reference voltage being outside the voltage threshold. The system can include a voltage divider whereby a resistor of the voltage divider is coupled in series with the vehicle component.