alarm kit / clownnose

mallards · Oct 29, 2003

i recently had my 325i's computer reprogrammed to make the clown nose blink (when locked) and the hazards flash (when i lock/unlock my car) ... does this mean all i have to do i buy an alarm kit and install it and it will work?

in other words, does my cars computer have the alarm already activated?

also ... i dont have the alarm option on the car already =)

and when i get the alarm installed / activated (if needed) will it honk when i lock it? ( i miss that function from my old truck)

Ben

flashinthepan · Oct 29, 2003

Mallards,

You will get a very faint chirp. Perhaps this is a great question for the Service dept, maybe they can wire in the horn honk sound....if so, let us know !!

mallards · Oct 29, 2003

ok ... good all i want is some noise telling me things are locked

what about the alarm being activated already? any ideas

Ben

Tom · Oct 29, 2003

When you get the alarm installed, the siren will chirp and the lights will flash.

bmwrocks · Oct 29, 2003

Have a look at this link:

http://www.circlebmw.com/service/access/01219416538.htm

This is for a 99 model year 3-series, but ours would be very similar I think.

The instructions somewhat confirm what I thought: The car is pre-wired for the alarm system and may even have the siren already installed. It does however require programming with equipment that only the dealership has. So you're gonna have to pay for that at least I would presume. I asked my dealer about the alarm when I bought my car and they said it was $500 to install and program.

The alarms are pretty cool though as they do the following (I have the alarm on my X5):
1. Electronic chirp twice when you unlock, once when you lock (along with flashing lights).
2. Tilt sensor activates the alarm if the vehicle is tilted (as in jacked up or on a tow truck).
3. Motion sensor detects motion inside the car and activates the alarm (can be defeated with the key fob for pets in the car).

Remember your vehicle factory installed security system will not allow the vehicle to be easily stolen, so the alarm is really unnecessary if you ask me.

mallards · Oct 29, 2003

bmwrocks...

bmwrocks....

thanks for the info .... i really want it so it will chirp when i lock it ...

also ... we have been having alot of break in's ... thats why i want it ...

Ben

MyHarley · Oct 30, 2003

bmwrocks said:

What vehicle factory installed security system????[???1]

Thanks in advance......

mikev · Oct 30, 2003

MyHarley said:

theres an Immobiliser fitted as standard that stops the car from running if stolen. (ie started without the key)

MyHarley · Oct 30, 2003

hmmmmm I guess that tracking system I had installed was a waste of money......the car wasnt going to get far anyways........???? [rofl]

bmwrocks · Oct 30, 2003

There is this "Coded Driveaway Protection". It is a fancy shmancy coded key ignition lockout so your car can only be started when the key and the car communicate. It is a rolling code so it is very difficult to break the code, too many possibilities, most thieves don't have time for this.

Not much security, but then again when was the last time you saw a crowd rushing to the scene of a car alarm going off?

I think most car thefts take place this way (with or without a car alarm):
1. You come back to where your car was parked.
2. Your car is gone.
3. You stand there wondering "HOW THE F**K DID MY CAR GET STOLEN????!!!!"

BMW thiefs are not your typical thief I would suspect. Probably know how to defeat all security and steal it well before they try it.

bmwrocks · Oct 30, 2003

Here's an easy method:

1. Jimmy the trunk open.
2. Cut the battery cable to shut up the alarm.
3. Hoist it up on your flatbed.
4. Sell it for parts.

Oh yeah I almost forgot. If it has Lojack installed the theif is busted moments later.

That's why the newspapers and local news are filled with stories about all the car theifs busted with the help of Lojack.

MyHarley · Oct 30, 2003

My system is like Lojack but has additional features..........

A valet stole my car in New Orleans a few years back and if I had had some sort of tracking device, hopefully we could of found it before six weeks was up and the poor baby was just a shell sitting on the side of a road..........alarm was useless because he had the key......duh

Harman1 · Oct 31, 2003

Alarm system

What is required to make the alarm work other than what is already on the car?
My car has the red light under the rear view mirror, and the motion sensor in the
head liner behind the moon roof.
Does anyone know if the car already has the siren.
What does the dealer do to activate?
Do all the cars already have the motion sensor in the head liner?

Tom · Oct 31, 2003

Re: Alarm system

Harman1 said:

If you have an alarm and its not working then your dealer has to activate it.

What you are seeing is the motion sensor casing that comes standard with the 3-series and may not contain an actual radar sensor.

Here is a good link in regard to alarm installation.
http://e46fanatics.com/faq/alarminstall/

mallards · Oct 31, 2003

has anyone set their alarm while inside the car and waved their hands around or something ... for some reason i cant get my alarm to go off ...

i bought/installed the kit yesturday ...

the clown nose blinks (did from the beginning) and and car now beeps when i lock / unlock ...

do i have to have the tilt & motion sensors activated ... cause thats what i think

i also hit the side of my car and jacked it up on one side and the tilt sensor never set anything off ...

Ben

///M SPEED · Oct 31, 2003

One way to tell if you're car is pre-wired for the alarm is to look in the trunk. When you open the trunk, look on the open trunk lid and you will see plastic plugs with writing stating it is pre-wired for alarm. If you do have this plug all you need to do is purchase and have the alarm installed and all the functions you are talking about will be activated. My Y2k 328i is pre-wired for alarm, CD player, 3 car remote garage door opener, and BMW car phone. This is an easy indication whether or not you're car is pre-wired for the alarm.

bmwrocks · Nov 1, 2003

Good call ///M SPEED.

Mallards, you definitely have to have the alarm programmed into your computer system. I am pretty sure the computers are not sitting there waiting for the alarm module to come online then executing more code to enable all the other features (motin, tilt). That would be too easy. Also then they wouldn't make more money for the reprogramming.

I have accidentally set off the interior motion sensor in my X5 by locking my kids inside with the key fob and not deactivating the motion sensor. The alarm sounded when they moved inside. I have never tested the tilt sensor.

kumafa124 · Nov 1, 2003

alarm or no alarm .... it doesn't really matter. if someone really wants to steal your car, they probably already know how or have planned it and will do it in a min or two.

used to know someone that steals benz ... in and out in 2 mins.

the only thing good is lojack and only if you report it right away.

MrElussive · Nov 1, 2003

alarm kit / clownnose

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