Alarm doesn't "chirp"

[bobbydonathan]

I just bought a 2000 323Ci... When I lock it, it doesn't do the familiar "chirp" that it should when the alarm is set. Is there a way to disable it that maybe the previous owner activated? Could it be a blown fuse? (come to think of it, I don't know where the fuse box is, I don't have a full owner's manual, just the quick reference guide).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
b.

 

[Nataku]

BMWs are prewired for the alarm. If the clown nose ( red light under the rear view mirror ) is blinking after you lock the doors, lights flash, but no chirp you probably do not have the alarm installed.

 

[bobbydonathan]

hum... maybe I don't have an alarm then. Any reccomendations for one?
(oh, and thanks for the education!)

 

[Tom]

You can purchased an OEM alarm system and install it yourself. It's fairly straight forward and the only thing you need to do afterwards is have the dealer activate it.

OEM alarms are available at www.circlebmw.com or www.pacificbmw.com

I personally have a Clifford system which includes an anti-carjacking feature. If you have an automatic, I recommend getting a Viper system which includes two-way remotes and remote start.

 

[bobbydonathan]

Cool. I'll have to check into those...
thank you sirs.

 

[codex57]

It's possible you do have an alarm. It's only a remote possibility, but there's a tiny chance that the person who had the car previously had an alarm, but didn't want the beep so he asked the dealer to turn it off.

You've got a couple of quick ways to check if you have an alarm.

1) Look for it. Pop the hood, look at the firewall (the wall blockign the passengers from the engine compartment) and see if you see a siren. Or, pop off that box in the middle of your roof and see if anything is inside it.

2) Set off the alarm. Open windows. Lock car. Wait 30-45 seconds. Stick arm in and wave it around. If nothing happens, no alarm.