Not sure if this will help or not, but this is my story.

I bought an 85 944 that didn't run. After I put a battery in it and tried to start it, the alarm went off. The fender key switch would not turn the alarm off. So, being the brainiac that I am... I disconnected the alarm horn. Then I proceded to spend two weeks trying to figure out why the car wouldn't start. The combination of the alarm box "clicking" and the schematic showing that it is tied to the DME told me that I screwed up somewhere. After removing the alarm box, the car started right up. Definitely a moment of mixed emotions.

I sold the car to a friend and he hasn't had any problems with it. He doesn't drive it on a daily basis, but he hasn't mentioned any charging or stalling problems. From what I can tell, you shouldn't have any residual problems caused by removing the alarm box. Assuming that the wiring is stock as you referred to earlier. I am curious about what you find out though.

 

Thanks AJBERG,
Maybe I should try driving the car with alarm box disconnected? It's just that if the alternator doesn't engage properly, I may get stuck somewhere... I'd hate calling CAA again for towing.

 

Sounds like you need to test the charging capability with the box plugged in and unplugged. One option is to drive it to Autozone, or some place comparable, and have them test the system FOR FREE. I am assuming you have that capability in Ontario. That should answer your charging question.

Now that I think about it, the volt meter in the dash should tell you if it charges or not. Anything less than 13 or 14 should raise concern.

 

Now that I think about it, I have an easy way of checking if the alternator is charging: I have an ammeter installed on the alternator circuit. If the alternator gets disabled, the ammeter will show no current.
I presume if the engne works and the alternator works fine, there should be no other problems after disconnecting the alarm box...

 

I think your on the right track. If you need an added sense of security, you could carry the alarm box with you with a set of jumper cables. I don't think you'll need them, but you're the one behind the wheel.

 

my alarm doesn't work anyway. One day I might custom make something, but I don't think these car are hot items for thiefs.
In any case, I want to remove the box, to minimize chances of stalling the engine through mulfunctioning of the alarm box (it happened to someone on this board).

 

I just checked the schimatic in the Haynes manual and the alarm relay is connected to the alternator with a blue wire.

Very interesting. Let me know what you find out.

 

I started the car without the alarm box. Although it started fine, the ammeter (measuring the alternator current) showed zero. This means that I can't keep it disconnected permanently.

In any case, last time the engine stalled, I quickly disconnected the alarm box. Made no difference, i.e couldn't restart it. So the alarm box is not the culprit of my problems.

AJBERB - you must be having 1985 1/2 or later model. On 1983 Hayness doesn't show the alarm box at all. FSM does, but it's incomplete.

I'm a bit surprised there is not much feedback on this topic... Is it because the alarm box is not meant to be well understood by "general crowd", and knowledgable people elect to remain silent?

 

I know this thread is old but did you ever figure out bypassing your alarm?