Alarm / Immobiliser

[IanHighfield]

I am looking at upgrading my alarm to a Thatcham Category 2 and would appreciate any help that you can oofer re: best buys, suppliers etc.

I have an alarm / immobiliser fitted now, but the Insurers do not have it on their list, so it looks as though an upgrade will be worthwhile. They require Category 2, although I have no idea what the different categories are or represent.

I am in Stratford-upon-Avon if anyone knows of a local supplier / fitter that they can recommend.

Thank you,

 

[Guest]

Mine is made by Meta (I know, Italian electrics, who would trust them !), but it has never given a problem in 9 years (since I had it fitted after buying the car).
Complete with automatic closers (doors/windows/sunroof), and a tilt sensor (in case the car is jacked up/moved).

I got mine done in London, so no help there, apart from the fact that they are very good at their job.

 

[IanHighfield]

John,

Interesting you had yours fitted some 9 years ago. Mine was fitted in 1995 by a Cobra fitter, and was perfectly acceptable to Direct Line.

It is Carole Nash who do not have it listed on their Category 2 list, so I am going to challenge them over the validity of my installation certificate etc.

You mention automatic closers on yours - what exactly are these ?

Mine is a 1986 and does not appear to have central locking - to all you gurus out there - Should it have ? I would like to fit an alarm that I could use with central locking (as I have on my daily driver - a VW Passat tdi) as I still have the odd occasion of walking away from the Porsche a pressing the key fob to lock it !

As usual, thanks for your help and replies.

 

[Guest]

You mention automatic closers on yours - what exactly are these ?

When you press the alarm on button, both doors lock, both windows raise to the top, and the sunroof closes. Of course, only one of these options happens in reverse ! This is a feature on most modern alarms - they just have to put relays to control the window/sunroof closing bit.

This was Thatcham 1 when fitted, and insurance companies work on the standard it was when fitted - otherwise you would need to change it every few years. I did have this discussion with my insurance comapny, but they came to their senses in time.

I am pretty certain that my 85 3.2 had central locking as standard - but, you forget after 9 years.

 

[IanHighfield]

Can anyone help re: question of central locking.

Before I consider doing an alarm / immobiliser upgrade, I would like to know whether my car should have central locking, or whether it can be retro fitted.

I would like to do the job once, so putting in relays to control door locking will only be possible if the doors can central lock.

As ever, thanks for your help.

 

[Guest]

so putting in relays to control door locking will only be possible if the doors can central lock

Strictly speaking, this is not true; you can have 2 relays, 1/door (assuming electric locks, of course, which may not be there if no central locking ?) .
Possibly, they could then be linked to give central locking, both internally and externally.

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

Ian,
My car is without central locking, but can be retro fitted..Halfords do a kit for about £60.00...I've been meaning to look into this but haven't.

I'm also insured with Carole Nash, and had to provide them with a cert to say I had a Thatcham approved alarm fitted in working order. I can never remember which one is better than the other (Thatcham 1 or 2) but my alarm was fitted in 1992 (by previous owner) and is to the lesser standard.

Let me know if you progress with the central locking...I'm too busy with Honey Doos before Christmas (Honey replace the Bathroom, Honey paint the hallway...)

[][]

 

[Guest]

Thatcham 1 is a higher standard than Thatcham 2.

When mine was fitted (1994), I didn't ralise that there was a Th 2 standard.

 

[IanHighfield]

Research turned up that mine is a category 1 as fitted in 1995. Although no longer on the 'current' list of category 1 (it is now superceded) devices, the certificate I have for the fitting is evidence enough and therefore I do not have to replace it. Saves money for something else - like reconditioning the front calipers, but that is another story I will be asking about in due course.