SWEET!! The Alarm Works!

C

CaveDweller

Member
#1
Messages
148
Likes
0
Location
Texas
#1
I purchased an alarm kit from Pacific BMW and installed it a couple of days ago. After installing it, my car immediately chirped when locking and unlocking. I reasoned that it was because I had the clown nose activated when I had it delivered and that the alarm itself wasn't functional. Well, today I locked the doors with the top down and popped the hood to see what would happpen and guess what...

The alarm went off!!!

Basically, intead of $400 for dealer installation and activation, I got it for $135 plus shipping. No activation needed. I haven't tested the tilt alarm, but I would think that is enabled as well.

The moral of the story is, get your clown nose activated and install your own alarm. The worst that can happen (unless you screw up the super simple DIY guide) is that you'll have to pay for activation later, but you'll still save over $150.
 
bmwrocks

bmwrocks

1000 Post Club
#5
Messages
1,188
Likes
0
Location
Orlando, Fl
#5
Great info, you have answered the question by example. I am going to try the same install as my nose blinks, lights react without the hardware.

Many thanks for being the guinea pig.
 
B

black330i

Member
#6
Messages
49
Likes
0
Location
Highland, NY
#6
Let me see if I understand correctly.........if I have the clown nose activated at the dealership and then install the factory alarm myself, it will be just as if I had the whole alarm installed by the dealer? How difficult is the alarm installation? How much did they charge you to trun on the blinker? Thanks

Rich
 
bmwrocks

bmwrocks

1000 Post Club
#7
Messages
1,188
Likes
0
Location
Orlando, Fl
#7
black330i said:
Let me see if I understand correctly.........if I have the clown nose activated at the dealership and then install the factory alarm myself, it will be just as if I had the whole alarm installed by the dealer? How difficult is the alarm installation? How much did they charge you to trun on the blinker? Thanks

Rich
Click to expand...
YES, if the nose is activated, then if you install the hardware yourself (motion sensor, tilt sensor, siren) you will have the full alarm as if the dealer installed it!!

I had been wondering this for a long time, and now it is verified.

I would also recommend having them activate your lights too at the same time for the full effect.

Mine came with the lights and nose activated when I bought it. I would think they would do it for you free if you tell them you didn't know about it and now that you do, you want it.....

Here are the DIY instructions:
http://www.bmw330ci.com/DIY_Alarm.htm
 
D

damo

New Member
#8
Messages
17
Likes
0
Location
Chicago, IL
#8
Thanks for the info BMWRocks! I just picked up my 325i last Saturday and noticed that the clown nose is not blinking, so I'll have them turn it on. What did you mean by "having the lights" work as well? Is that another safety feature and how does it work? Thanks again for the info!
 
C

CaveDweller

Member
#9
Messages
148
Likes
0
Location
Texas
#9
When you get the car delivered, the dealer will activate some otions for you. Clown nose, auto door locks at 8mph, lights flash when locks are enabled/disabled, and a number of others.

Ask for a sheet for memory settings. They should provide the service for free since it is a new delivery. Later visits may incur a charge.

As for installation, it was a breeze. The hardest part was releasing the connector by the front firewall because it was tucked back behind a panel. Other than that, it took maybe 30 minutes.
 
bmwrocks

bmwrocks

1000 Post Club
#10
Messages
1,188
Likes
0
Location
Orlando, Fl
#10
damo said:
What did you mean by "having the lights" work as well?
Click to expand...
You can have your lights (exterior front and rear blinkers) programmed to flash once when locking and twice when unlocking.

Also an easy way to tell if your system is fully alarm activated:
-- After one press of "lock" on the key fob, the nose will start to blink.
-- Pressing it again within 5 seconds (maybe 10 secs) you will notice the nose lights steady for about 2 secs, then starts blinking again. This is the indication that the computer has disarmed the interior motion sensor (pets in the car, etc)for that instance of setting the alarm!!!
 
D

damo

New Member
#15
Messages
17
Likes
0
Location
Chicago, IL
#15
I just got back from my BMW Service Department and after A LOT of confusion, they were finally able to figure out how to activate the clown nose and lights to flash when the doors lock/unlock. So, to everyone out there -- I can confirm that it is possible to have the dealership turn on this feature for new 2004s (I have a 325) even if you don't have the alarm system. Initially the service managers said "no", the techs said "no", and even the customer service folks at the BMW call center said "no". But the answer is "yes"! My advice is to be persistent. By the way, I wasn't charged anything either.
 
Blue

Blue

Member
#16
Messages
195
Likes
0
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
#16
I asked my dealership if they could make the lights blink when locking/unlocking using the key fob, and they said they had to install a "module" for about $55. "Module" must be their term for activation.
 
bmwrocks

bmwrocks

1000 Post Club
#17
Messages
1,188
Likes
0
Location
Orlando, Fl
#17
Blue said:
I asked my dealership if they could make the lights blink when locking/unlocking using the key fob, and they said they had to install a "module" for about $55. "Module" must be their term for activation.
Click to expand...
Their use of "module" in this case refers to a software module. Sotware components are also called modules. I think the service people might interchange this term for hardware and software cause they don't know any better.
 
D

DrivingTopless

Member
#18
Messages
253
Likes
0
Location
New Haven, Connecticut
#18
My dealership also told me that my car (2000m/y) was not able to be activated for the lights flash/clown nose when I inquired over the phone. It wasn't until I dropped the car for service and asked them again did they look into it. They charged me $37 to activate the lights and the speed sensitive locks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top