Dangerous! Mind your wiring

[bluequattro]

Pulled into MOT test centre and the steering locked and the fan stopped demisting
Pas belt checked ok. All tyres and suspension ok
Borrowed screw driver get driver glove box off
All alarm wiring wrapped around steering column!
Whomever fitted it wants their b#llocks in a vice
20 minutes to get it untangled.
Passed test though!
Now I need to tidy it all up.
Shame I didn't check before driving as could have killed me.

[Error404]

Holy ****!

[Rusty]

The alarm I pulled out of mine wasn't a pretty install... But that takes the biscuit!

[bluequattro]

That's half. I'd already moved some before the photo.

[Trist28]

First thing I do with any motor I buy and plan on keeping is remove any dodgy aftermarket alarms and immobilisers! Shocking how they chuck them in.

Worst thing that ever happened to me was in a MK1 XR2 - in my early days, some numpty before my ownership had wired an un-fused power wire for the radio - had spare and wrapped it round the steering column (not tubed - it actually turned!) so when I full locked into a petrol station it good as set on fire as the wire stretched and went through the wire sheath earthing out! To say the garage panicked a little is an understatement - men rushing out with buckets of sand and fire extinguishers! Luckily I had side cutter handy and snipped the wire at the battery......

[Teg]

I do hate aftermarket alarms.

I have a original Mk2 golf GTI that my insurance company insisted on me fitting an aftermarket alarm to. I really did not someone cutting into the wiring and dashboard to fit some rubbishy alarm. So I changed insurers. My S2 has a Clifford and I hate it.

[alexx230]

What a luck there mate! Thing is that not all aftermarket alarms are installed that way.. There are professionals and "professionals" :-S

[mcandmar]

I had a similar issue in my coupe when i got in and turned the key and nothing happened. Shortly after lots of thick smoke started pouring out around the steering column. Turns out the genius who fitted the immobilizer rerouted all the main ignition switch wiring over the top of the steering column, which then wore though and shorted out. Never mind having to ungraft the immobilizer, i also had to replace a ton of ignition wiring that had the insulation melted off!

[bluequattro]

It's all well out of the way now!
I thought a tyre had burst when i first noticed it.
Managed to park safely
Turning left ok.
Turning right pulled the wiring from pass glove box and moved the centre console behind vdo s enough to pull heater wiring plug out.

[newsh]

Dear oh dear, a lucky escape from disaster!

[K Simmonds]

What a luck there mate! Thing is that not all aftermarket alarms are installed that way.. There are professionals and "professionals" :-S

It seems that all alarm fitters are retards, well in the UK at least....

Trist, do you remember those dodgy feckers from south Wales, 'First Alert' I seem to recall them being called, the one guy was a first class window licker, he literally used to drool while 'working'!

The only vehicle I've owned that hasn't been sabotaged by such outfit's and required extensive work to correct is my RS2 which just has the factory alarm.

Clifford alarms are renowned for being problematic....the 'Concept' range is affectionately know as the 'Come Back' in the motor trade,.

Anyway, I'm glad your still alive bluequattro

[Trist28]

Yes Blast from the past that - The one who sold me certificates for cars which had something fitted but no paperwork, didn't he have a huge overhanging gut and wheezed while breathing too! Proper healthy chap. Safe to safe they went out of business.

It seems that all alarm fitters are retards, well in the UK at least....

Trist, do you remember those dodgy feckers from south Wales, 'First Alert' I seem to recall them being called, the one guy was a first class window licker, he literally used to drool while 'working'!

The only vehicle I've owned that hasn't been sabotaged by such outfit's and required extensive work to correct is my RS2 which just has the factory alarm.

Clifford alarms are renowned for being problematic....the 'Concept' range is affectionately know as the 'Come Back' in the motor trade,.

Anyway, I'm glad your still alive bluequattro

[K Simmonds]

Yes Blast from the past that - The one who sold me certificates for cars which had something fitted but no paperwork, didn't he have a huge overhanging gut and wheezed while breathing too! Proper healthy chap. Safe to safe they went out of business.

Yeap, that's the guy, in hindsight I wouldn't him let loose with Lego let alone my car's electrics!

I haven't checked the net to see if their still operating, I'm guessing not, dodgy feckers.

[Trist28]

Pretty sure they got done for fraud IIRC - No surprise there!!

Yeap, that's the guy, in hindsight I wouldn't him let loose with Lego let alone my car's electrics!

I haven't checked the net to see if their still operating, I'm guessing not, dodgy feckers.