Keyless on 1998 328i

[jnyost]

My 1998 328i I just bought has stickers on the windows stating that it has an anti-theft alarm. The dealership didn't have any keyless entry remotes for the car and I'm not sure it has the module. I now have a couple questions.

Is the alarm module the same as the keyless entry? I see stickers in the truck stating it is wired for keyless entry, should the module be behind those stickers or is there a different way to see if I already have the keyless module installed?

Thanks
Jared

 

[calmepeter]

My 1998 328i I just bought has stickers on the windows stating that it has an anti-theft alarm. The dealership didn't have any keyless entry remotes for the car and I'm not sure it has the module. I now have a couple questions.

Is the alarm module the same as the keyless entry? I see stickers in the truck stating it is wired for keyless entry, should the module be behind those stickers or is there a different way to see if I already have the keyless module installed?

Thanks
Jared

i would like to know if the keyless entry came standard. i have the same car and i think anti-theft came standard, but i think the person who orginally purchased it put in the keyless entry system. i assume it was a seperate thing cuz my remote is seperate from the key (most alarm systems i've seen have the buttons for keyless entry built into the key, but maybe thats on slightly newer model cars.

i wish i could help you but i'm kinda lost on the subject too.

 

[jnyost]

I'm pretty sure that the keyless entry was not standard, but an option. I'm not real sure about the alarm though.

I think the keyless entry keys are for the newer cars. If you look on ebay, a 1998 328 has separate remotes.

Jared

 

[BimmerDave]

How to tell

I was in a similar situation when I bought my 97 328i, used.
When I got it from the previous owner (private sale) I got a keyles remote, two keys and the owner's maual and the previous owner's pledge that it had a keyles remote system wired up, he just didn't know how to program it (I am the third owner).

The long drawn out solution for me was snoop around under the dash (remove the driverss and passenger's kick panels) and look for some kind of aftermarket looking control module or dealer installed unit. Burried up on the driver's side of my dash was the control unit for a Clifford Intelliguard alarm. A quick look at the clifford web site showed that the remote I got matched, and I was off to the races. I had to find the cut wire that powered the unit and re-connect it. I guess the previous owner didn't like the alarm going off, and instead of just disabling it, cut a wire.

I had to program in my remote and set it up the way I wanted. BUT it was all worth it. I haven't had to put a key in the door in over a year and the ignition cut-off gets me an insurance break too.

The best solution I can offer is snoop around your car. The control module will be under the dash somewhere, and if equiped the alarm horn will be under the hood. Look at what kind of remote you have (BMW, Viper, clifford or what?) and then look for that company's control pack somewhere in the guts of the electronics. If you can get it operational, it's worth all the effort.

Hope this helps