Alarm Systems

[michael79]

My insurers (Adrian Flux) are insisting that a new Thatcham Cat 2 approved alarm be fitted to my new Z16. Does any one know whether the existing factory fitted alarm/ immobiliser is or could be Thatcham approved? Asking GM or Bauers is a waste of time....

[c5ragtop]

My advice, for what worth, would be to only allow a total expert to tap into the wiring on a C5 to install an alarm. It may not be necessary if you haven't committed to Adrian Flux, as there are other insurers who will insure you:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=86118&f=100&h=0&hw=alarm



>> Edited by c5ragtop on Wednesday 17th November 16:36

[kenski]

If it's new or a US import then it won't be approved, as I understand it. When I was researching the same thing it turned out that only corvettes sold by dealers in the UK (for a limited period) were fitted with Thatcham approved alarms, and they were all retrofitted.

As someone else said, there *are* insurers who don't require it, though.

-kenski

[te51cle]

Yep, my UK purchased machine has a Thatcham category 1 alarm as standard. It has a different key fob to the US machines. Well, its different in shape, the number of buttons and their functions apear to be exactly the same ! Suspect the difference might just be down to a bit of paper with a tick in the box.

[shagga]

Had exactly the same issue on the ZR1. After sending copies of the relevant bits from the service manual Privilege accepted that the standard system was the equivalent or better than a Thatcham class 1. If i remember correctly it was something to do with the number of circuits imobilised. The service manual sections showed clearly that 3 different circuits were cut off with the standard factory fitted system. I would think a C5 would have a similar if not better alarm as standard than mine.
I then asked for written confirmation from them that they were happy with the standard set up. Having recieved it I now stick with them and can't be bothered to go through all of it again with a different company.
For sure I would echo the sentiments of not having anyone mess around with the electronics who is not completely au fait with the complexities of the standard systems.

[yellowshark454]

Yup my UK 2001 has a Thatcham 1 issue 2 alarm which has been accepted without question by 2 UK Insurers. Interesting earlier comment about retro fit. My alarm manual comes as a pucker Chevrolet document.

Interesting comment about the keys being different Tristram. If that is the case, how do we replace them? Think I'll take my spare to the bank vault!!

[michael79]

I spoke to Adrian Flux today and they said that they might acccept a standard factory fitted alarm / immobiliser if I could find out the spec. They suggested I speak to their approved alarm fitter/supplier ( GAP Secuirty)who may be able to advise me on the suitability or otherwise of my existing system. ...I'm not likely to get impartial advice there am I?
The service manual is next to useless as it doesn't give much detail.
Any ideas as to where could I go to get the info?

[Lus1fer]

I had this crap with Flux and I went to Hill House who are quite happy with the stock alarm. Failing that, since Hill House have been absorbed by NU, try MCE who are equally happy with the stock alarm. I've had cars like this for ten years and never had anyone so much as try to open the door.

Since the Vette uses the stock horns when it activates, I can tell you it's good enough to wake the dead. I als have details of another broker who I just insured with for less than Flux who like to increase the premiums for no apparent reason. They only seem to give good quotes to new business.

[c4koh]

shagga said:

Had exactly the same issue on the ZR1. After sending copies of the relevant bits from the service manual Privilege accepted that the standard system was the equivalent or better than a Thatcham class 1. If i remember correctly it was something to do with the number of circuits imobilised. The service manual sections showed clearly that 3 different circuits were cut off with the standard factory fitted system. I would think a C5 would have a similar if not better alarm as standard than mine. I then asked for written confirmation from them that they were happy with the standard set up. Having recieved it I now stick with them and can't be bothered to go through all of it again with a different company. For sure I would echo the sentiments of not having anyone mess around with the electronics who is not completely au fait with the complexities of the standard systems.

I'm insured with MCE - and as was said earlier - they're fine with the standard alarm system...

Shagga: could you advise where in the service manual this information is (or rather, what bits were used to satisfy the insurance guys!), as this could be useful for future insurance quotes, thanks.

[yellowshark454]

Adrian Flux gave me the worst quote of anyone this year, by far. Interestingly, whilst HHH have been taken over by NU, they eventually came back with a very competitive quote so I would certainly recommend you give NU a try but no idea on their position on alarms - HHH were fine

[vetteheadracer]

:Lucy Fur said:

I had this crap with Flux and I went to Hill House who are quite happy with the stock alarm.

Me too! Unfortunately Hill House Hammond are not doing any new business and are certainly not covering US stuff anymore

Try AON as they are supposed to be doing One policy for multiple cars, like a Trader policy.

Try Ian Cullen on 01483 787712 as I met him at the NEC recently and also please mention you are a CCCUK member as they are advertising in the next club mag!

[shagga]

I will dig out the sections from the SM tonight. I think there were about 2 or 3 pages giving detail on the way the electronics and key disabled various parts of the fuel and ignition system. Once the underwriter at privalege recieved it he was happy to accept the standard alarm

[LuS1fer]

Personally, the C5 electrics are prone to wobblies and I would not under any crcumstances let anyone tap into the wiring. Find another insurer.

The alarm on my Camaro is aftermarket, Thatcham II and is rubbish.

[c5ragtop]

vetteheadracer said:

Me too! Unfortunately Hill House Hammond are not doing any new business and are certainly not covering US stuff anymore

This is bad news I fear - I have always used them since my first yank many years ago. That is, except for one year when I used MCE - I was less than impressed with them but it looks like I may have to eat humble pie.

Also with HHH leaving, the market will be less competitive .............

[Gixer]

This wiil be bad news. I'm forced to have alarms/ datatags/ blah blah on my bike. They cause nothing but trouble. I have tried many top makes and they all still cause trouble in the long term. On top of that, it wont matter if its a cheap alarm or a really expensive alarm, it will be ignored all the same.

[te51cle]

Yep, mine only goes off when I'm trying to sneak out early on a Sunday morning without waking the neighbours. I keep my spare key in a safe place and have made a note of the serial number. My main one is looking very worn now, I hope it lasts a few years more though.

[yellowshark454]

Can I just stress the point that NU who owned HHH are doing new businss on yanks and offered me a very competitive quote. The reason I did not take it was because I already had insurance! (and at a higher cost than NU quoted). The issue was that they got into immense problems transferring the HHH book to their own computer systems and were late in sending out renewal documentation.

My 73 is with HHH, well I guess it is with NU now and I hope that when it runs out next Feb, I will get a renewal quote in advance from NU and be able to consider them.It will be interesting to see what they quote against last years premium.

[Lus1fer]

I'm glad to hear that as I was allowed my full NCB on the Z06 with HHH even though it was in use on the Z28 which made the premium £400 for 4000 miles which was way better than anyone else.

If anyone from Adrian Flux is reading this, that's two policies you lost.

[shagga]

Information about the standard alarm system came from section 9D of the 95 Service Manual.
This describes the operation of the PASS key system(Not sure if the C5 has this) and the UTD system.
The manual shows how the UTD (Universal Theft Deterent) system interacts with the PASS (personalised Automotive Security System)and FEDS (Fuel Enable Data Stream) to disable cranking and fuel delivery in the event of unauthorised entry and provides audible warning through the horns. I also sent the schematics showing the Theft deterent relay, and the CCM, ECM etc.
The underwriters were happy with this, apparantly the standard system does what the Thatcham Cat 1 does anyway. Adding an additional system just complicates whats there anyway and does not add any significant deterent.

[michael79]

Thanks for your advice guys. I spoke to the nice people at Thatcham ( www.thatcham.org) and I checked their on line pdf file which lists every car that they've tested. There, on page 9 is the Corvette, which has passed their tests.
I passed this info over to Adrian Flux and, lo and behold, they've accepted the findings and will agree to the standard factory system. Result!!.. and my tax disc arrived today so its number plates on and onto the road tomorrow...