Can I remove an alarm system.

[Jake Bradley]

I have an aftermarket alarm system on my 8l a3 and it's sometimes kicking in the immobiliser. What's involved in removing the whole system and just using the key to unlock and lock the car?

[zollaf]

you will already have a factory fit immobiliser which will allow the engine to start and run for 1 second then stop. another has probably been fitted at the insistance of some silly insurance company many years ago. to remove it, you need to find all the component parts of it. there will be a sounder/horn under the bonnet and a main box usually under the dash. some ignition wires will have been cut and joined into the main controller to stop it starting. you need to remove the horn, and the controller, then re connect the cars original wiring. normally takes me between 1 and 2 hours to do one, depending on what it is and how many bits are fitted as i like to remove everything including the sensors.

[Jake Bradley]

you will already have a factory fit immobiliser which will allow the engine to start and run for 1 second then stop. another has probably been fitted at the insistance of some silly insurance company many years ago. to remove it, you need to find all the component parts of it. there will be a sounder/horn under the bonnet and a main box usually under the dash. some ignition wires will have been cut and joined into the main controller to stop it starting. you need to remove the horn, and the controller, then re connect the cars original wiring. normally takes me between 1 and 2 hours to do one, depending on what it is and how many bits are fitted as i like to remove everything including the sensors.
Yeah that's what I'm experiencing. So that's the standard immobiliser that's kicking in and cutting the engine.

Thanks for your reply. I'll have to look and see what's what with the wiring... I didn't want to fiddle to much without knowing what I'm doing.

[zollaf]

there will be a light on the dash that will come on if your immobiliser isn't working properly. most aftermarket alarms cut power to the starter motor. might be best getting a fault scan.

[Jake Bradley]

Hmm no. No lights or anything =/. Yeah probably for the best.