E36 Alarm System PLEASE HELP

[Toby]

Please help!

I have an E36 with the standard after market alarm/central locking system.
For some reason the alarm/central locking was not always working from the
bleeper - sometimes for some reason if I made sure I shut the passenger door
last then it worked.

Now it is not working at all, the bleeper doesn't activate the car at all.
Central locking still works when I use the key in the door though. Have
mentioned it to a friend mechanic but he says it is not worth looking at and
to buy a new one system.

Does anyone have any suggestion where I should look any help is greatfully
appreciated.

Many Thanks

Toby
***@beer.com

[Jeff Strickland]

If it is the after market alarm system, then it's not standard. The standard
alarm in a BMW product that can be installed either at the factory, or (more
likely) by the dealership. The standard alarm system is a simple plug-n-play
device that simply plugs into the vehicle's wire harness. The standard
system goes in the trunk.

If you are having trouble with a BMW alarm system, then _maybe_ somebody
here will know what's up, but if you really have an aftermarket system, then
you're on your own. If the Central Locking works, then the trouble is in the
controller for the alram system. It could be something relative to the
antenna, or the transmitter.

Post by Toby
Please help!
I have an E36 with the standard after market alarm/central locking system.
For some reason the alarm/central locking was not always working from the
bleeper - sometimes for some reason if I made sure I shut the passenger
door last then it worked.
Now it is not working at all, the bleeper doesn't activate the car at all.
Central locking still works when I use the key in the door though. Have
mentioned it to a friend mechanic but he says it is not worth looking at
and to buy a new one system.
Does anyone have any suggestion where I should look any help is greatfully
appreciated.
Many Thanks
Toby

...

[Don]

Post by Jeff Strickland
If it is the after market alarm system, then it's not standard. The
standard alarm in a BMW product that can be installed either at the
factory, or (more likely) by the dealership. The standard alarm system
is a simple plug-n-play device that simply plugs into the vehicle's wire
harness. The standard system goes in the trunk.

Well - actually it goes under the dash on the passengers side. The only
thing that connects in the trunk as an accessory is the CD-player. The
car is pre-wired for an alarm, and one company (Stellar) makes alarms
that have a harness designed to plug into the under-dash harness. I've
heard varying reports on the Stellar alarms.

The "factory" alarm was made by Alpine, and didn't include features such
as "code jumping" where the key sends a different code every time it
communicates with the alarm. Minor thing actually since most thieves
don't have the equipment to intercept and record alarm codes. The
majority are smash and grab - and no alarm will actually deter them. I
find it doubtful if there is much of a market in the stolen-car market
for E36's now. They are getting a bit long in the tooth.

Post by Jeff Strickland
If you are having trouble with a BMW alarm system, then _maybe_ somebody
here will know what's up, but if you really have an aftermarket system,
then you're on your own. If the Central Locking works, then the trouble
is in the controller for the alram system. It could be something
relative to the antenna, or the transmitter.

It could be as simple as the key-fob battery being dead. That was my
first thought on reading his posting. If he decides to replace the
whole system, and the system is a factory system - and if his mechanic
friend can remove it complete with the harness adapter to the factory
harness - it's worth money on Ebay (they usually go for $40-140)

[Toby]

Thanks
It is a standard BMW alarm.Sorry to not be so technical but it has the BMW
sticker on the remote. I actually brougth a new bleeper from BMW too.
Obviously there is a connection failure somewhere, ay idea where i should
look? or even start to look?
is there any connections with the passenger door, as before it stopped
working it sometimes it didn't work unless this door was shut last for some
reason? any help please!!!!!

thanks

toby

Post by Toby
Please help!
I have an E36 with the standard after market alarm/central locking system.
For some reason the alarm/central locking was not always working from the
bleeper - sometimes for some reason if I made sure I shut the passenger
door last then it worked.
Now it is not working at all, the bleeper doesn't activate the car at all.
Central locking still works when I use the key in the door though. Have
mentioned it to a friend mechanic but he says it is not worth looking at
and to buy a new one system.
Does anyone have any suggestion where I should look any help is greatfully
appreciated.
Many Thanks
Toby

...