Thatcham Cat 1

westernair · Dec 29, 2005

Hello chaps, I'm new on here having been a member for a few months and having just bought my first 911. 1988 3.2 Sport Coupe 2 owners and 28K miles and never painted. Will be asking for advice on a few issues but current one is can anyone recommend a good make, supplier and installer of a Cat 1 alarm, preferably local to South Wales please? The car has a Cobra alarm but it is not Thatcham approved, being installed when the car was new. The key fob operates the central locking and the alarm - did the car come as standard with remote locking or is this something which the alarm fitment enabled?
Also I wish to check the gearbox oil (I have a whine in 4th & 5th) but the plug doesn't want to undo, being solid and immovable but undamaged. Would it be better to try this when hot due to the differing expansion rates of alloy & steel or should I even try applying heat maybe

Would appreciate your advice and wisdom.

Peter

nathan 1981 930 G50 · Dec 31, 2005

I seem to recall the later cars had central locking. Yours should have been factory fitted, not sure how it would have operated though.

As for your plug, well, heat is the only option you have. Warm up the casing around the plug, not the plug itself. You are trying to expand the hole to release the plug.

westernair · Jan 1, 2006

Thanks for that Nathan - will try gentle heat around plug.

Signor · Jan 1, 2006

Greetings
I replaced the gearbox oil a few weeks ago and had to buy a 17mm allen key type socket to fit my torque wrench. This amount of leverage freed up the plug no problem.
However getting to the filler plug, which is half way up the side of the gearbox, was not quite so easy.
Much swearing later and covered in oil the job got done. The SWEPCO stuff that I put in has made a difference but only marginal, the problem that I had was selecting some of the gears, sometimes.
Anyway at least now I know it's got fresh oil in it.
Good luck
Alex

nathan 1981 930 G50 · Jan 8, 2006

Sounds like another 915 that needs a rebuild.

lesworth · Jan 9, 2006

The key fob operates the central locking and the alarm - did the car come as standard with remote locking or is this something which the alarm fitment enabled?

Central locking was standard on later models but was not remote. An alarm was also an option and was not remotely operated. There was a keyhole somehwere on the drivers door slam panel or there-abouts.

westernair · Jan 9, 2006

Mine is remote operated, doing both locking and alarm so must be a later fitment I think. The type of alarm with key isolator in the door shut area was not available on RHD models according to my handbook. Thanks anyway!

Peter

964rh · Jan 9, 2006

Peter

As far as recommendations, I had a Clifford Concept 300 fitted when I bought my 964. Cost about £250 including stripping out the old factory system.
Controls the central locking by way of remote control and you can fit extra bits like remote boot release for about £90.
The alarm and immob. are Thatcham One. Sorry don't know of any installers around your way.
You do have to have a health check every 12 months, this will give you a new BSIB cert. for your insurers if required. cost in Leicester £25, I think depends on the installers labour charges tho.

Regards

Rob

wormand · Jan 9, 2006

I think my car has the original alarm/immobiliser fitted and its causing me no end of problems. Alarm keeps going off, relays clicking behind the dash... It's made by Sonar - does this ring any bells?? Could it be original?? Its got all the bells and whistles (total closure) etc. I would like to rip it out and start again. Is it possible to get a Cat 1 immobiliser only or does Cat 1 mean alarm+immobiliser fitted?? Can anyone recommend a place in Staffs/Midlands who can fit immobilisers.

964rh · Jan 9, 2006

Warwick

As far as I know immob. only are Cat 2, combined alarm/immob is a Cat 1 spec.
Be careful tho' as not all alarms are Thatcham rated!

The original on my 964 was a Palmer and Hamilton jobbie (I think) and never worked, that's why I had the Clifford fitted (and the insurance wanted one on the car)

I had mine fitted at Car Electronics in Leicester, I think they have a branch in Derby, they installed it near on perfect as the man who did it is a Porsche lover, but not all people are. Ask to see proof of their work.

Regards

Rob

nathan 1981 930 G50 · Jan 11, 2006

GUYS,
As lesworth said, no remote alarm was factory fitted to our cars, NONE. No RHD cars received the factory alarm, NONE.
If your car has any security it was fitted afterwards. I once saw my local OPC fitting an alarm to a later model 911 type car.