What should I do about this? (Alarms)

[chrism964]

It appears that the Porsche alarm and immobiliser that is fitted to my 1990 c4 is not Thatcham approved. I know this as the insurance company I have renewed my policy with has told me (!). This is despite the fact that the previous insurer seemed to think they were ok(?)
The alarm is part no. 92863710403 and was factory/dealer fitted when the car was new is not Thatcham rated (?) and is hidden in the luggage compartment near to the hinge. The immobilser (fitted five years later) is part number 99999979500 however is.

My local OPC has suggested that I replace it with a PA2000 system at £315 plus fitting or get an independent to just replace the alarm part of the system to bring it up to Thatcham cat 1.

I am wary of letting anyone at the wiring loom of the car unneccessarily in case this causes further problems.

What do people think I should do.

Replace the lot at the OPC
Replace the lot at an independent
Replace the alarm at an independent

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Chris,

I think the general attitude to this problem is to leave the Porsche alarm alone - don't remove it and don't modify it. If you need to have a Thatcham alarm/immobilser fitted just have an additional unit fitted - in addition to the Porsche unit.

Regards

Dave

 

[pae]

As luck would have it the 944 forum had a long discussion about this a while ago - it even relates to a 1990 car. Have a look here.. http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=170659

There's plenty of highly technical details and some very knowledgable contributions.

Phil

 

[chrism964]

Thanks Dave and Phil.

 

[chrism964]

Well. This got sorted out completely painlessly. I will not deny that I did a fair amount of worrying after the company I took the car to insisted they had to remove the old alarm system and immobiliser prior to installing the new one but I will happily recommend Autotek in Sheffield who have installed the new alarm system. They removed the old system completely without having to butcher the wiring loom and all for a very reasonable price (and in fact no extra cost to just having the new alarm installed).
They also do ICE installations and having seen some of the work they were doing in their workshop I would recommend them for this as well. They do not cut corners (or wiring if they don't have to) and remove all redundant wiring (which is always useful if someone else needs to comeback to the install at a later date). So if you are based in/near Sheffield and need an alarm or a new ICE install/upgrade I would go to them. (Autotek on St. Marys Road, Sheffield)

Just for the record. I don't have anything to gain by promoting Autotek. I just feel when a good job is done that the information should be shared. There are far too many bodgers out there!