very sensitive alarm on BMW

caris

Hi

We have a BMW, the alarm on it is VERY sensitive and keeps going off. We understand that it can be adjusted, is it something that can be done by ourselves, or can it go to a local garge or does it have to be a BMW dealer only? If its a garage job what is the cost likely to be?

Thanks
Caris

vikingaero

With the engine on, press the air recirculation button, divert the air to the footwell and close all air vents. Also try pushing each door switch plunger a dozen times to make sure they make contact. Do this on the boot and bonnet switches too.

If none of this works then you may have to pay a dealer to diagnose. If the car has a battery back up siren then it could be that the battery cells in the siren are faulty and normally the whole unit needs changing.

Thunderbird_2

Hi

Was the system running normal before this hapenning? How often do you drive the car and how long for each journey?

Sometimes, a low charged battery can cause problems for the alarm.

eira

Not quite the same but I have an intermittent fault on the immobiliser/alarm on my 1995 520SE.Every so often it will refuse to start.You have to wait for 20mins and then it'll start,the last time this happened was a week ago.Contacted a small specialist garage this morning following advice from the rescue service. Re programming can now only be done via the main BMW dealership and this is about £180-240.
They suggested I contact the auto electrician they use. The electricians use/install Sigma which is the alarm BMW install-I got quoted £38 for re-programming the fob/system. and a new fob. (The current fob is the one that was new with the car so I can't complain ) This as a try before splashing out on major cash.The electrician claimed that the old alarms are better systems that the new ones. I'm going down this route first. Have tried auto electricians before and they've been really good.The garages use them anyway and it can be cheaper to go there direct

eira

Hope this doesn't hijack the thread but anyone got any advice on air locks in old series 5 engines ( 6 cylinder/2 litre )

AdrianHi

eira wrote: »

Hope this doesn't hijack the thread but anyone got any advice on air locks in old series 5 engines ( 6 cylinder/2 litre )

I'm a regular on a BMW forum https://www.bmwland.co.uk where you will get better exposure to those with more knowledge on these cars.
From my time on this forum I know how hard bleeding the coolant system on these engines car be.
Track down all the bleed valves (https://www.realoem.com is full of diagrams and parts).
Here is an example thread that might help you out:
http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?p=74200

eira

Thanks for the tip.

John-elitemobilesecurity

Hi what year is your car and is it e36 ? Usually the system BMW fit is a Sigma system. If you go to any car security specialist who does Sigma they should be able to plug in there diagnosis machine into the car (this goes onto the L.E.D. for alarm) and tell you all the previous triggers for the alarm and ajust the ultrasonic sensitivity. It could even be faulty sensors but they will be able to find out at a fraction of the cost of BMW dealers.

Viper_7

and this is why people totally ignore car alarms and house alarms these days.

Too many faulty and false alarms going off all the time. They are totally useless!

Vipes

John-elitemobilesecurity

Most alarms that go off all the time are due to poor installation or bad products ! If you get it fitted by a reputable dealer you shouldnt have any problems apart from when someone does break into your car !!

If your looking for a reputable dealer in your area check out this link for approved specialists

http://www.mesf.co.uk/

eira

Thanks for replies.'Air lock' took some sorting and a new radiator ! Local auto electrician is going to try replacing key fob (original fob so the rubber button has worn away) and says as you have that it is a Sigma alarm.initial quote is £37.50 (BMW dealership quoted me £250 !)