Search alias not working

[markb]

I have installed prestashop and everything is working fine except the alias for searches.

i.e. I added alias "kart" search "go-kart". This lists in the admin section as you would expect, however when I serach for the product "kart" I get no results (I get plenty of results for "go-kart).

I checked the database and the alias is definately in there. I checked the site code and can see there is a class Alias.php.
I also see the following code in Search.php

if (!$indexation)
{
$alias = new Alias(NULL, $string);
if (Validate::isLoadedObject($alias))
$string = $alias->search;
}
I am using a customised version of the black and white theme. I have tried using a different theme - same problem. I am also using Top horizontal menu v1.3, however I have tried switching this off (both its search menu and entire module) but with no success.
The Ajax search is switched on and when blocksearch is installed the ajax search works - but aliases do not.

Has anyone experienced something similar or have any suggestions as to why this is not working?

[nero_77]

I am currently having the same problem on Prestashop v1.3.1.

Is it something we are doing wrong or a bug?