SJB993

Firstly, the reason I'm confining this to UK owners is because my question relates to the Porsche PA1000 alarm system. As I understand it, this was a system that Porsche UK fitted to supplement the standard factory system in order to satisfy the UK Motor Insurance sharks.

The red LED which is mounted in the centre console has stopped flashing when the alarm is armed (the LEDs in the doors do flash). I "tested" the system by leaving a window open before closing the door and arming it. I then opened the door from inside - the indicators flashed, and the immobiliser prevented the engine from starting, but there was no siren. I then tested the ultrasonic sensors in the windshield frame, but they didn't respond to any frantic hand waving in front of them.

I am wondering whether, assuming that the PA100 supplements (rather than replaces) the factory system, whether what I've got is a functioning factory system and a faulty PA1000.

On that basis, I'm wondering whether the PA1000 is independently fuse-protected. If so, does anyone know where the PA100 unit is located , and if it has a separate fuse, where that is located.

TIA,

Steve.

Surj-993C2S

Steve - have you checked the immob switch in the back (activated by the 'other' key you should have).

Open the boot, on the left hand side next to the engine is the immob module with a rubber gromet covering a key lock. Pull off the gromet and put in the key, turning it to the 'other' setting (only 2).

This shuts off the immob and also disables the audible alarm but keeps the lights flashing.

Worth a try?

SJB993

Thanks for your suggestion.

I did try turning the key, but I'm pretty sure that when I did, I couldn't get the system to arm at all.

I'm sure the immobiliser's working OK because if I don't start the engine within 30(?) seconds of disarming the system with the remote, then it won't start until I press the button on the remote again - which is what it is supposed to do. So from you said, if the key was in the wrong position the immobiliser would be de-activated - wouldn't it?

Is the entire PA1000 system contained within the module in the engine compartment, or is then another box somewhere else?

Do you, or anyone else, have any other ideas? I still wonder whether a fuse has blown (if one exists that is????)>

Thanks again,

Steve.

SJB993

I have checked the module in the engine compartment, and the key lock was turned to OFF. I turned it ON, and hey presto the siren worked (the lights flashed immediately, and there was a 10 second delay before the deafening siren sounded).

Some progress, but my centre console LED isn't working and the ultrasonic sensors don't seem to be operative either.

So I'd still like to know where the factory sytem ends and the Porsche UK PA1000 system starts.

Therefore, perhaps one of you guys in The States would tell me whether you have an alarm module mounted on the left hand side of your engine compartment that has a (grommet covered) key switch.

If not, I guess I can safely deduce that this is part of Porsche UK's PA1000 alarm system.

TIA,

steve

GabiOsz

I have been trying to discover what is actually fitted in my car.

I have a remote, but it is not a porsche one, and I experience the opposite with the LEDs, my centre one flashes, but the door ones do not, unless I lock the door using the key. I also have the little immobiliser "chip" thing that is inserted into the dash to disable the immobiliser? I can only assume that the car didn't come with a remote alarm only the micro chip immobiliser and someone fitted an after market alarm.

SJB993

So I guess you don't have the offical Porsche PA1000 instruction booklets either, or the red master remote for adding extra remotes? Fortunately I got everything with mine.

Maybe some part of your original PA1000 stopped working, and rather than repair it, another system was fitted.

There also seems to be some debate on the Thatcham rating of the PA1000
is it 1 or 2. Maybe a previous owner's insurance company deemed it to be a 2, and required a 1 so another system was fitted.

I should have made it clear that the centre console LED did work until a few days ago (as well as the door LEDs).

I'm still waiting to hear from one of our American friends whether or not they have the module in the engine compartment, so I can establish whether that's part of the PA1000.

Take care,

Steve.

GabiOsz

What about the "micro chip" immobiliser deactivator? does everyone have this with a PA1000?

SJB993

Gabi,

I'm pretty sure that the Microchip Immobiliser you speak of isn't part of the PA1000 - I certainly don't have one, all I've got is the key and the key fob remote (which incidentally shows the Porsche logo).

What you get is a red key fob sized master remote, and two regular key fob remotes. You use the red one to programme the remotes you actually use. You can (apparently) have up to 5 user remotes enabled from one master.

I got two user remotes with the car, and have since managed to add a third - which I bought from the Porsche dealer in Reading for about 30 quid.

In the wallet with the Handbook, Service Record Book, etc. there were two small Porsche booklets for the alarm, one detailing its modes of operation and how to use it, the second detailing the procedures to add/remove user remotes from the system.

I hope this helps.

Steve

GabiOsz

Steve,

I think that its possible that the early cars (ie '95) have the micro chip immobiliser and the later ones have the key fob remotes. All the '94/'95 RHD owners I know have the chip type, and open their doors with the key. I have only seen the porsche key fob on a friends '97 C2S. My alarm must be an after market, not having the door LEDs flashing really bugs me.

JohnM

Steve,

The main alarm module is actually under the passenger seat, by the engine control unit. The boards have been known to suffer from dry joints leading to faults later in life, your local OPC will be happy to replace the alarm module main board but that will set you back about £300 incl labour and VAT. You may be able to deal directly with the manufacturer (I think they are on the South coast somewhere), try the Titanic mailing list for contact info (subscribe at www.titanic.co.uk/titanicporsche.html) or try a post on the Pistonheads Porsche forum.

Regards,

John

SJB993

John,

Thanks for the help.

I did manage to find something that suggested that the PA1000 was manufactured by a company called Hamilton-Palmer (Sussex I think) - I have already emailed them, but haven't had a reply as yet.

One of my questions hasn't been answered yet, maybe you can help with that. Is the module in the engine compartment (with the key switch) part of the PA1000 system or part of the original factory fit system?

Although, from what Gabi has said in his replies, he doesn't have a PA1000, but does have the module in the engine compartment, so maybe it is part of the factory fit system.

On that basis, can I assume that elements of my system that are working are only those of the factory fit system?

Also do you know if the PA1000 unit under the seat has a fuse that I could, in the first instance, check?

I'm not too bothered though - I got the car from an independent Porsche specialist (Northway Porsche near Reading). It is already booked in for them to have a look at a few things for me (including the alarm fault), and it's still under warranty - so I hope it doesn't cost me too much. I just thought that if it's something simple, like a fuse, I'd have a go myself.

Thanks again,

Steve.

Vic_S

All PA1000's were fitted by Hamilton & Palmer. Very helpful company based in Sevenoaks. You can contact them on 01732 760022 and as you can imagine, they charge much less than the OPC for repairs.
Good luck,
Vic

Felix

The PA1000 was supplied by Hamilton & Palmer. It's never been clear to me if they just supplied the alarms, if they (on behalf of Porsche GB) fitted them to the cars in the Uk or if they were fitted in Germany at build time.

The PA1000 appears to have replaced the Porsche Drive Block system that was used elsewhere in Europe and perhaps in the US.

For Thatcam status have a look at the Thatcham listing .

SJB993

Thanks for the inputs.

I still haven't had anyone answer my question about the module in the engine compartment answered directly.

Is the module (with the grommet covered key switch) part of the PA1000 or not?

Surj-993C2S

Steve,

Maybe Hamilton and Palmer can help you with that one?

I had the main board on mine changed a couple of years ago as I only had one remote and no red master. All works fine now,but OPC did the change for me and I paid 300squid for it!

If only I'd known, I could have spent the difference on something more worthwhile - like Turbo S front air intakes or something!!

Surj