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      08-04-2018, 12:08 PM   #1
Ron Jeffries
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A bit urgent: Alarm going off randomly - and I have to go to airport

My car alarm has started going off randomly. Yesterday, sitting in coffee shop parking lot, top up, once. Today, in restaurant parking lot, top down, multiple times.

I need to go to the airport tomorrow early, and will be parking it in a lot. Concerned that if I leave it locked, the alarm will go off and run down the battery. And if I don't, bad guys will get in my car and do bad things.

Is there a way to totally disable the alarm but allow the car to lock? Is there some other clever thing I should be doing?

Thanks,
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      08-04-2018, 12:38 PM   #2
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I think your battery might be on it's way out. I would probably uber it this time to the airport.
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      08-04-2018, 12:45 PM   #3
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Based on his vehicular signature he has a 2018 M240i - battery should not be bad. Take it to the dealer - you have the warranty use it.

Last edited by WolfGTI; 08-04-2018 at 06:00 PM..
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      08-04-2018, 01:19 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WolfGTI View Post
Based on hi vehicular signature he has a 2018 M240i - battery should not be bad.
The battery on my '18 M240i failed in its first month.

Quote:
Originally Posted by WolfGTI View Post
Take it to the dealer - you have the warranty use it.
I think his worry was that he's flying tomorrow; maybe no chance for service?
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      08-04-2018, 02:26 PM   #5
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Aren’t there instructions for turning off the alarm in the owners manual ? That would be for the tilt and interior sensor.
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      08-04-2018, 02:31 PM   #6
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There is a way to turn of the interior sensor..

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=516276


https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...t=904149&amp=1
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      08-04-2018, 02:45 PM   #7
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Yes could turn off the interior one. But of course I have no way of knowing if it's that one, the hood one, or another.

Can't go to the dealer, flight is tomorrow. Could Uber but at 50 minutes away and living in the sticks, I think that's right out.

Right now I think my best bet is ask to park it in sight of the shack and leave it unlocked. Once the alarm triggers does it run forever, or flash but no siren, or what?
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      08-04-2018, 03:13 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries View Post
Yes could turn off the interior one. But of course I have no way of knowing if it's that one, the hood one, or another.

Can't go to the dealer, flight is tomorrow. Could Uber but at 50 minutes away and living in the sticks, I think that's right out.

Right now I think my best bet is ask to park it in sight of the shack and leave it unlocked. Once the alarm triggers does it run forever, or flash but no siren, or what?
You can also code out the sound of the alarm or change it to the British version; it's quiet and not intrusive as the US version.
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      08-04-2018, 05:40 PM   #9
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i'm more concerned about it running down the battery than sounding off. It seems the sound goes off after a while? At least the other day it wasn't whining just flashing.

Does it go quiet after a while? Does it stop flashing?
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      08-04-2018, 05:57 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries View Post
i'm more concerned about it running down the battery than sounding off. It seems the sound goes off after a while? At least the other day it wasn't whining just flashing.

Does it go quiet after a while? Does it stop flashing?
For what it's worth I've never been to an airport parking lot where they don't have someone who can jump your vehicle in event of emergency.

Lacking that maybe buy one of those battery charger things today and charge it overnight so you can jump your car yourself when you get back?
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      08-04-2018, 06:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries View Post
i'm more concerned about it running down the battery than sounding off. It seems the sound goes off after a while? At least the other day it wasn't whining just flashing.

Does it go quiet after a while? Does it stop flashing?
The alarm sounds/light flashes for 60 seconds every time it senses an intrusion.

You'll know the alarm has been triggered by the rapid flashing "clown nose" LED under the rear-view mirror.

The car's computer is a smart system; it will disable the alarm sound (or any power-drawing feature) before it completely runs down the battery and leaves you stranded. So you don't have to worry about that.

Also, unrelated but more FYI the alarm siren itself has its own independent power supply Incase someone does disconnect your battery and attempts to steal your vehicle.
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      08-04-2018, 08:28 PM   #12
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So it sounds like folks think I can safely lock it, with little more risk than if I leave it unlocked. And yes, the lot people do have jumping ability if it comes to that. I guess I'll just take my chances, given the alternatives being mostly worse.
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      08-04-2018, 08:35 PM   #13
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If I left the dog in my car he would set off the alarm. The manual said push lock twice on the key fob to disable. Worked for me.
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      08-04-2018, 08:47 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries View Post
Yes could turn off the interior one. But of course I have no way of knowing if it's that one, the hood one, or another.

Can't go to the dealer, flight is tomorrow. Could Uber but at 50 minutes away and living in the sticks, I think that's right out.

Right now I think my best bet is ask to park it in sight of the shack and leave it unlocked. Once the alarm triggers does it run forever, or flash but no siren, or what?
The owner's manual has instructions for disabling the interior motion sensor. Beyond this, with my car, if I hold the fob near the base of the windshield on the driver's side and press the lock button repeatedly, the car gives a double beep and the red alarm light goes out while the doors remain locked. So far as I can tell, all of the alarm sensors are disabled. I think this is a way to fool the car into thinking that the fob is still inside (probably requires comfort access).
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      08-04-2018, 08:56 PM   #15
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I've got comfort access. Interesting. When you say "repeatedly" do you mean lots of times?

Roughly where do you hold the fob, like opposite the steering wheel?

Thanks, I'll try this ...
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      08-04-2018, 09:42 PM   #16
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Had a recall, got a software update, afterwards could not disable the interior motion sensor but discovered this trick. Some delay after initial lock is involved, so press ... press ... press until the double beep occurs. Near the windshield wiper in front of the steering wheel seems to work.
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      08-05-2018, 07:48 AM   #17
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Hm, yes, that appears to work reliably. What worked for me was this sequence:

1. Lock normally with key, holding button until mirrors fold.
2. Hold key very near windshield, about at center of steering wheel.
3. Click lock button repeatedly, two or three times.
4. Car beeps and alarm light stops flashing.

Doing the repeated click from a distance does not stop the alarm.

Very nice, thanks!
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      08-08-2018, 01:44 PM   #18
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If you're doing third-party airport parking, see if you can do valet, so they will have the keys and then can turn it off if need be. Usually it helps them out to do valet because they can shuffle spaces around and overpack cars.
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      08-08-2018, 03:34 PM   #19
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I did the trick at the windshield and left it. Seems to have worked OK, car was there, not flashing, and started. I don't let valets drive my car, nor do I leave the keys in anyone else's hands. Personal hangup

In other news, the alarm went off at Wendy's at lunch today. Guess I'll have the dealer take a look.
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      08-11-2018, 10:12 AM   #20
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OK, looked to see if I wanted to unhook the hood sensor switch (though I doubt it's the problem as jostling the hood doesn't trigger the alarm). Turns out the connector is buried where no human can reach it. And, I figure if I do unlock it, the hood ope light is going to go on, and since it's a big deal on the dashboard now, I don't think I want it.

For some reason I couldn't get into the dealer with a loner until a week from Tuesday but I guess it's not very urgent since I know the trick now.

Weird, though. I'd turn the alarm clear off if I could find it in the codes ...
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      08-21-2018, 08:51 AM   #21
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Dropped M240i off at Suburban this morning. Adviser said they often have to adjust the interior alarms. Said it would probably need parts and to expect them to keep it.

Loaner, disappointingly, is an X1 even thought they had a perfectly good i8 Roadster on the floor that would have been perfect for a guy like me. They also have a couple of new M2s, either of which would have made sense. But no, it's an X1.

I am hopeful if not optimistic.
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      08-21-2018, 12:17 PM   #22
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I am hopeful if not optimistic.
Nowhere to go but up? Glad your issue is being sorted out!
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