HELP! Factory alarm went wacky.

[digitaldragon03]

The other day, i locked the car with the key and it activated the alarm. So today i go to the car and try to unlock it and the car doesnt respond. I do a search and find out that if i open the car manually and try to start the ignition, the alarm will turn off. I do this and the alarm doesnt turn off. The radio came on, but the car doesnt crank. Now i have the highbeams and turn signals going off and im afraid the battery will die. What should i do to disengage the alarm, or at least save my battery?

[digitaldragon03]

Well the lights have gone off, so thats good. But im still stuck with my problem about the alarm not disengaging.

[digitaldragon03]

Does anybody have any advice? From searching ive only come to the conclusion that the 540 had a different alarm system from the rest of the models, but i still havent found a way to deactivate the alarm.

[WarrenBrown]

This is a wild ass guess, what happens when you unplug the alarm module? I've had 2 of them go bad in the 525iT. Not with the symptoms you describe, mine have started going off at random times. If it is like the 525, the module is under the rear seat on top of the fuse box. The wiring may extend over toward the battery, I'm not sure.

Warren
91 318is
95 525iT

[ra_pro]

On two occasions I had my alarm on but couldn't unlock the car with my alarm button so I had to use the key and the alarm went beserk, of course. To turn off the alarm you have to take out a fuse under the rear seat. This happened years ago so I don't rember exactly where it is but it is not easily accessible. Its under a cover and you have to put your hand in and try to find it by touch and unplug it. This will solve your immediate problem and make your car driveable.

[Qsilver7]

May I ask...has anyone turned to the owner's manual for instructions on how to deactivate the alarm in an emergency?

The BMW owners manual (for all 3 types of alarms in the e34) says to stick the key in the ignition and turn it to position 1...this will turn off the siren and stop the lights from flashing in approx 30 sec. (you have to refer to your owners manual because each are slightly different). There should be no need to pull fuses unless there is something significantly wrong with your car or alarm system.

The e34 540i's DWA (anti-theft) system and EWS (immbolizing) system is not familiar to most e34 owners unless they own or have read an e38 or e39 owners manual. Your 95 540i systems are like the systems in those newer models. Again, if you have an owners manual, turn to the section about the alarm...and (if like my e38 manual) will discuss emergency deactivation...and the process the car goes thru when unauthorized access has happened or the system thinks unathorized access has happened. (I think lights flash for 5 min and alarm sounds for 30 sec...don't hold me to this...it's off the top of my head) So it should not run your battery down if you're aware that its been activated.

The weather has turned cooler...have you checked the strength of your car's battery? (if you've unlocked your OBC you can do a TEST #9...a consistant reading between 10.5v-11.5v means the battery is very weak and you should run to AutoZone real quick and pick up a Duralast 49 DL...11.5v-12.5v is okay) A weak battery can trigger false alarms. Or how is the red LED on your key? Is it illuminating when you press the buttons? If not, it may be time to change the remote's battery. (battery number should be in your owners manual) If you do...try to swap out the battery in less than 60 sec...if you take longer...you'll have to reinitiate the remote. (something you don't want to have to bother with)

[digitaldragon03]

Last night, i got opened the doors manually and took out the manual and all of my stuff (i needed my school work) and when i read the manual, all it said in regards to the alarm was that a sperate manual should have been provided with "full details of how to operate your car alarm". When i bought the car about 9 months ago, i didnt get this manual.

Did you get the information about holding the key in position 1 from the E34, or from your E38? I think im going to try that again, because the first time i tried, i tried to crank the engine and then i left it in position 2. This time i will just turn to position 1 and leave it there.

[Qsilver7]

Did you get the information about holding the key in position 1 from the E34, or from your E38? I think im going to try that again, because the first time i tried, i tried to crank the engine and then i left it in position 2. This time i will just turn to position 1 and leave it there.

Got the info from both e34 & e38 owners manuals. Since your alarm is like the e38...you can go to www.e38.org and open one of the (PDF) owners manuals (either online or download) and search for "Alarm". (the owners manual links are at the bottom of the left column)

My e34 525iT uses the 3 button RF remote

...and it says under "Disarming by Ignition Key" to turn the key to "on"

[digitaldragon03]

Ive tried everything and nothing seems to work. I think im going to pull the fuses, as that has been my last resort and i think ive reached it. Am i going to need a radio code or something? I hope not. Thanks for the help Qsilver, warren, and ra pro.

[Traian]

Sorry if some of this is reposted, haven't read all the replies yet. I had the same problem with my car a while ago. You need to do the key fob reprogramming procedure, which is in your manual (the main one, not the alarm one). I will get it for you, but it's snowing outside and I'm in my nickers If all else fails and you want a quick fix, you can always disconnect the battery and ground the two wires for a few min, but that means you'll need the radio code when you get back in. If you don't have it, the dealer will give it to you. Send me a PM if you want that reset procedure (it's what fixed the prob for me...at least temporarily), and I'll get back to ya.