Fitting an alarm/immobiliser

[Ade]

Im going to try get a Thatcham approved alarm (or immobiliser) off Ebay and fit it myself. What I want to know is:

1) where should I fit it in order to make it hardest to get to and also so that its as good as a professional fitment?

2) Which alarms and immobilisers have people used before and are good??

3)Do the instructions show you how to do a really good fitment or are they a bit basic generally?

Im competent with wiring/soldering and electronics but the last alarm I fitted was to my 1st car and was a bit of a rush job so i never bothered trying to hide the alarm or its wiring...

Any hints?

ta,
ade

[Treeman612]

Hi - I bought a 'Cheetah' ultrasonic alarm off Ebay - remote locking, etc etc - came from Singapore. Cost Ԛ£45 plus Ԛ£10 p&p. Easy to fit, but instructions very basic - aimed at pro. installer. Do an Ebay search using 'Ultrasonic' and you should find it. Don't think its Thatcham approved though. (Got lots of 'approval' specs from Germany, etc but not listed as Thatcham approved). Been on my car 1 month and working great. If you get one, contact me for detailed fitting instructions!

[Daryll]

Ade,

If you fit a thatcham approved alarm and you are not a thatcham approved alarm fitter it becomes and a non thatcham approved alarm.

It needs to be fitted by a qualified engineer who then supplies a certificate saying it has been installed correctly to get the require discount.

[Borderbmw]

As daryll says,a thatcham approved alarm/immobiliser is only approved if installed by an engineer/installer that holds approval for that manufacturer.
How much security installation/electrical experience have you had? ive installed a toad Ai606 on my 320i and to do it properly took my all day about 7.5 hours,including soldering and heat shrinking everything etc.

Im not saying its impossible but even a cat 1 system is only as good as its fitting,ive seen a cat 1 Clifford concept fitted with terminal blocks and insulation tape,and the alarm was cable tied to a couple of holes on the bulkhead!

but if you want to give it a go,then go for it mate!

Sorry,i dont mean to be a killjoy im all for having a go at stuff,best of luck mate

[Ade]

I guessed it would be an all day job to get it fitted perfectly. I know of one place that will give you a Thatcham approved fitment certificate for an "old alarm" which had lost its certification...

but if a professional is charging me Ԛ£40/hour for a days work...


-the total cost would be roughly equivalent to over half the cars value!!! I just want to stop some little bastard taking my only transport away from me.

I know its not an easy job, but Im not a mechanic yet i often do a better standard of work than some "professionals" simply because Im prepared to take the time to do it right

[Borderbmw]

I didnt mean to offend mate,if there willing to supply an installation certificate and you're confident then go for it.
I know what you mean about thieving little scroats,i paid Ԛ£119.99 for my Toad on ebay,i know there are companies advertising supply and fitted for Ԛ£275ish,at least if you do it yourself you know its done right!

Happy wiring

[Ade]

no offence taken mate. It might be worth just installing one anyway. Even if it doesnt get an insurance friendly fitment certificate, at least it might help me keep the car a bit longer