Mark Stahl

Hi, all-
does anyone have any suggestions for a good alarm for a 928? Preferably one that's fairly easy to install. Also, what 'kind' of automatic locks do our cars have? (positive/negative/vacuum?) Have people just found it easier to have alarms installed by a shop? (And what if that shop had to be circuit city?)

thanks!
mark

WallyP

Some comments:

The 928 has an alarm.

Alarms don't do much to prevent theft. (How many car alarms have YOU ignored?)

The 928 has a VERY complex electrical system. The chances that an alarm installer is familiar with the 928 system are very, very slim.

We have seen many 928 problems caused by aftermarket alarm and stereo installations.


My recommendation - get the stock alarm working as designed leave it alone.

Jerry 87 928S4

The best thing about my after market alarm is it has keyless entry.

The problem is it appears to be an old "code alarm" and I have no information on it. I did find a person who explained how it was wired and how it actually worked.

It does have a wire to the ignition and also locks all the doors whenever I disconnect the battery and rearms when I connect the battery back. I do fear the day I have problems though

DaveW

Alarms that just make noise are a waste of time, you have to have one that immobilises the car in several ways (electrical or fuel interrupt). I have fitted a Clifford 500 (there's a different range in the UK or US) system to each of my cars as I think they are the best alarms currently on the market.

<a href="http://www.clifford.com/products/cp_con.htm" target="_blank">http://www.clifford.com/products/cp_con.htm</a>

I have no connection blah, blah, blah.......

DaveW

Max

I think Wally has a good point, the factory alarm is fine. I myself would like to add just a keyless entry system with the remote start option.

JM&gt @

Max

Greg86andahalf

I have the factory alarm and use a "club" type steering wheel device. I have looked into a web based vehicle tracking and alert device which is on my list to get before spring. This device will notify you if the car moves ouside a "virtual" fence. You can log on to the net and see where your car is at any time. Not a fool-proof system, but something worth having IMO.

Greg

WallyP

The factory 928 alarm includes an immobilizer.

Kevin in Atlanta

Just for grins.... How many 928s have actually been stolen? I figure very few because there isn't much call for 928 parts. I also have yet to see a single aftermarket alarm that did not cause more problems then they were worth. They have all been disabled. I am sure others have had better experiences. I think the risk of an aftermarket installer screwing up the wiring is not worth hearing my alarm chirp, seeing my lights blink or being able to remotely start the car.

But as Ed R. is fond of noting YMMV.

Greg86andahalf

86_5Tiberion,

A recent theft with a happy ending is in the archives here:

http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/r...14&t=002234&p=
That story is why I'll put a vehicle tracker in my car. There is also discussion on that thread about protecting your car from theft.

What makes the 928 such a problem is that even with full coverage insurence, it's highly unlikely you will get back from an insurance co. the amount of $ you have in the car. Protecting the car from theft is better insurance. Since reading the discussions on car theft, I now lock my car in my locked garage. the only set of keys are left in a safe but convienient location in the garage, so that if there is a fire, someone can pull the car out of the garage.

Greg

WallyP

So that now, all that is needed to steal your 928 is a readily-available garage door opener?

There are reports of vans cruising residential areas with racks of flea-market openers. The perp pushes the buttons and watches the doors on the street.

Kevin in Atlanta

Greg,

Apples and oranges. The perp found a spare set of keys after breaking in. No car alarm would have stopped the theft. I still am unconvinced that fancy aftermarket alarms are worth it.

Greg86andahalf

Wally,

Quote: [quote] So that now, all that is needed to steal your 928 is a readily-available garage door opener? <hr></blockquote>

Huh? How so? The car's locked and the keys are safely hidden. Only family members know where the keys are. If a theif enters the car to move it, the alarm will engage and the car will be disabled. They could drag it out the garage with a chain without opening up the car, but but that it a noisy and attention-getting proposition.

86_5Tiberion,

I agree about aftermarket alarms. I didn't endorse adding one.

Rich's story made me want to look at a vehicle tracker. The idea is that if they get your car, finding it in short order is key to getting it back in one peice.

Greg

Moss928

Stick with the factory alarm. Listen to WallyP! I had my Clifford alarm (came with) removed so that it would not cause problems.

My problems began shortly thereafter (lots of trouble starting). It took months to straighten it all out!

The alarm was removed by a shop that specializes in this type of thing!

BrianG

And the world of "short-Circuit City" stereo installers has gotta be the next-best-thing!! I looked above the tray (under the steering-wheel and just about puked!! Some moron was in there with a pair of side-cutters and some wire-intercepts, and NO FRICKIN' CLUE. Looks like I've just discovered my winter 928 project. This ought to be fun without a Service Manual!

DaveW

I have to disagree about the factory alarm being adequate. It is a very basic and very old system. If your looking for a bit of noise to scare some kids away then fair enough but I would bet that a professional car thief could walk through it and be driving quietly away within 5 mins. Why he would want to nick out low value cars is another question!

Car security is an evolving war of measure and countermeasure and the origional alarm just isn't a player anymore.

As far as installation risks go then yup it's up there in the same category as Stereo installations - you have to be careful but most cars have it done at sometime.

DaveW