Whats everyones experiances with vehicle immobilizers or alarm/immobilizers in reliability terms,

I've only ever had a gemini alarm and never had am issues with it,

Am after a immobilizer rather than a alarm but would suppose alarm would be useful aswell. I want it to be reliable more than having lots of functions as am going to be fitting it to a jcb forklift,

The only problem I ever had was on a Vx Astra about 10yr ago when the key got worn and just wouldn't start the car, switched to the other key and everything was fine. But that was a long time ago and was factory fitted.

The immo on my fabia is a bit dodgy, if I use the backup key, it dies on the first try. Then on the second, it starts, but with an ABS fault code.

My dads 2001 Saab 9-3 has a buggered key as well, it takes a few attempts until the immo doesn't engage.

About +10 years ago me and my mate both bought Sparkrite alarms, which we fitted ourselves.

During the middle of the night my alarm went off. Because it was so late I just disconnect my battery.

In the morning I investigated, and taking the unit apart I noticed that the + wire for the siren was trapped against the circuit board right next too the - track on the board.

General virbrations (not sure why it went in middle of night, thermal contractions I expect) caused the insulation on the + wire to wear through and directly short to the - track, thus directly powering the siren.

A while later the same thing happened to my mate, but he was driving through a town! Lights flashing and siren going!!

Anyway regarding reliabilty, I would say the two main items are water ingress and vibration.

OEM stuff originally fitted is going to be better because either it is integrated into the ECU, and or the manufacture does lots of durability tests.

I know some MK1 Octy vRS have alarms fitting not sure if factory fitted? From memory UK Clio 172 Sports had alarms fitted by another company. Not sure why the UK market would need more security...

I just dont want to buy and fit one and 2 years down line it to pack up especially as forklift needs to go when needed

Most quality branded units will be Ok.

the main reason people have problems is either they are chaep and nasty or havnt been fitted very well.

I have used Laserline Cat 2 for years and never had a problem because I fitted it myself correctly.

I have ought many a car which had so called professionally fitted alarm on and when I took them out they had been fitted very badly.

Something like this should be ok.

But its all about how and where its fitted.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lazerline-921-k-cat-2-immobilizer-unit-/110878019514?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Safety_Security&hash=item19d0d84fba

Edited 19 May, 201214 yr by ruffday

I have ought many a car which had so called professionally fitted alarm on and when I took them out they had been fitted very badly.

I had a friend who had a clifford cat 1 fitted by a so called expert to his golf gti, he had am issue with igntion key once and i had a look at it for him, oh my god talk about scotch locks and wires everywhere it was border line dangerous