Technical Have I even got an alarm?

[Mozbo]

Hi, looking for some advice.
I have a 2014 Autotrail motorhome on a LWB Ducato base and always assumed it had a factory fitted alarm.
As I'm presently looking for insurance quotes, I'm trying to figure out if it has a Thatcham Cat 2 immobiliser and alarm.
I'm now doubtful it even has an alarm!
I sat in the cab and locked the doors whilst inside with the key fob. I waited a couple of minutes and opened the cab door, expecting the alarm to go off...it didn't!
Grateful for any advice...would a 2014 Ducato have a factory fitted alarm as standard?
If so, is there a way to test or reset it?
Not sure where to start first!
Thanks in advance.

 

[HughJampton]

The factory fit alarm exists, but is a rare option, particularly for a motorhome base. With your test, and without visual or acoustic signal, I would very much doubt you have one.
Thatcham Cat 2 is an immobiliser (only), and the standard fit is thus rated.
If you aren't the first owner then there is always the chance that it has had an aftermarket Cat 2-1 alarm fitted (bringing it up to Thatcham Cat 1, immobiliser+alarm), but unless there is a separate fob your test should have eliminated that possibility.

 

[Mozbo]

The factory fit alarm exists, but is a rare option, particularly for a motorhome base. With your test, and without visual or acoustic signal, I would very much doubt you have one.
Thatcham Cat 2 is an immobiliser (only), and the standard fit is thus rated.
If you aren't the first owner then there is always the chance that it has had an aftermarket Cat 2-1 alarm fitted (bringing it up to Thatcham Cat 1, immobiliser+alarm), but unless there is a separate fob your test should have eliminated that possibility.

Thanks for that...the only thing that happens when I lock the doors with the fob is the indicators flash, there's no beep or horn sound at all. So it seems there's no alarm, which comes as a bit of a surprise as my previous motorhomes all had alarms which may have been fitted by previous owners I suppose. Luckily, my insurers are only asking for Cat 2 immobiliser, which seems to be factory fitted and hopefully ticks the box for them.

 

[HughJampton]

The standard Ducato immobiliser is definitely Cat2 (and has been for years).

If you want to reassure yourself, Page 35 here confirms:

https://www.thatcham.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/March-2022-OE-1.pdf

(The indicator flash is standard with remote locking - unless it is disabled, which is possible. Most aftermarket alarms would have ultrasonic detectors, which would be visible).

 

[Communicator]

Thanks for that...the only thing that happens when I lock the doors with the fob is the indicators flash, there's no beep or horn sound at all. So it seems there's no alarm, which comes as a bit of a surprise as my previous motorhomes all had alarms which may have been fitted by previous owners I suppose. Luckily, my insurers are only asking for Cat 2 immobiliser, which seems to be factory fitted and hopefully ticks the box for them.

The aftermarket alarm fob for our PVC operates the central locking, and flashes the indicators. It does not operate the alarm sounder.

An alternative test for alarm function may be to set tha alarm via the fob, and then unlock a door using the physical key. I would expect the alarm to sound in this situation.

 

[HughJampton]

When the OP mentioned "key fob" I assumed the original Fiat remote key.

If there's a separate fob, then it's much more likely it has an aftermarket alarm.

 

[Mozbo]

The standard Ducato immobiliser is definitely Cat2 (and has been for years).

If you want to reassure yourself, Page 35 here confirms:

https://www.thatcham.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/March-2022-OE-1.pdf

(The indicator flash is standard with remote locking - unless it is disabled, which is possible. Most aftermarket alarms would have ultrasonic detectors, which would be visible).

That's great, just printed it off to keep with my insurance certificate. Insurer only asked if a Thatcham Cat 1 or 2 was fitted and that seems to prove the fact that it has. Thanks

 

[Mozbo]

When the OP mentioned "key fob" I assumed the original Fiat remote key.

If there's a separate fob, then it's much more likely it has an aftermarket alarm.

Yep, only got the one, standard Fiat key fob.

 

[Mozbo]

The aftermarket alarm fob for our PVC operates the central locking, and flashes the indicators. It does not operate the alarm sounder.

An alternative test for alarm function may be to set tha alarm via the fob, and then unlock a door using the physical key. I would expect the alarm to sound in this situation.

Just tried that and the door opened without sounding any alarm...pretty sure it hasn't got one fitted now. Thanks