Alarm and Keyless Entry

[sravinutha]

I just bought a '98 323is. It did not come with a key fob so therefore I have to lock/unlock the doors with the key. Is there a way to tell if the car is equipped with keyless entry or an alarm system before I buy the key fob and it doesn't work. I am getting the key fob online so will not be taking it to the dealer unless i absolutely have to.
Thanks!!

[Gene Poole]

I just went throught this ordeal myself.

Mine is a '95 318iC. Mine has a decal in the trunk that says "equipped for factory BMW security system" (or similar). What this means is that the wiring is in place, but not the module. I had to buy a module, a siren, and a remote. Everything from that point on just plugged-in.

In later '95s than mine, they switched from an Alpine system to a Siemens system that used a key with a RFID module and the remote built-in to the key. I don't know if there's any way to rig one for the other.

Make sure you get the right system (yours should be an Alpine). I believe the module says "Alpine" somewhere on it and it has the blocky looking remote with three buttons and a plain "BMW" written on it (no logo).

Here's a JPG shamelessly stolen from Bavarian Autosport that shows the style you should be looking for (I would have linked to it, but they make you enter all you info and store it in a cookie or something so there's no way to link directly).

[thilton59]

Look in the engine compartmant, on the passengers side bolted to the core support there will be a siren, it's a black cylinder with a wire coming out of it. It's featured in the pic above, if you've got that then it's installed.

[sravinutha]

Thanks for the info. I knew I could look for the siren, but I didn't know where. I will look when I get home today. So, if the alarm is installed, I should be able to just buy a key fob and program it and it will work, correct? You'll have to forgive me. I am just a single mom who doesn't know a lot about cars.

[ironcross11]

Put the car in programming mode!

If it chirps, you have a working system. Be sure to take it out of program when you're done.

Each remote contains its own unique security ID code. Up to four different remotes can be used to operate your system. To add or replace remotes, order from your dealer, (Part number 82 11 1 469 448) and be certain to have the dealer initialize the new ID code in order for the new remote to operate your system (refer to the code-learning procedure)

if you have lost your remote, be sure to delete the remote ID by following the procedure described in the code-learning procedure, or have your dealer perform this procedure to avoid theft of your vehicle.

Code-Learning Procedure:

Preparation
1. Close all doors, trunk, and hood.
2. security system must be in 'disarm' mode w/ key removed from ignition key slot.

Enter Code-learning mode
3. open the trunk and leave it opened
4. open the drivers door and sit in the drivers seat
5. close the drivers door
6. cycle the ignition switch five times between the OFF position and position 2 (ignition ON, all dash warning lamps will illuminate). The red status LED will illuminate continuously, and the siren will 'chirp' once, to indicate that the code-learning mode has been initiated.

Do not start the engine. Ignition cycling in step 6 must be completed within ten (10) seconds. Steps 1-6 must be performed within fourty-five (45) seconds.

Register/Delete ID codes
7. open drivers door (remain seated in drivers seat)
8. close drivers door
9. press and release any button on the remote you wish to register into the system. The status LED will shut off momentarily to indicate that one ID code has been registered.
10. repeat steps 7-9 to register the remaining three ID codes.

It is possible for the system to memorize a total of 4 ID codes. As a new code is initialized into memory, the oldest code in memory is automatically deleted. if you had lost your remotes and wished to delete the lost remote ID codes from memory, you could initialize the ID code from a newly purchased replacement transmitter 4 times thereby deleting the previous ID codes from system memory.

Exit Code-learning Mode
11. open drivers door, exit vehicle, leaving the door opened.
12. close trunk.
13. close drivers door. LED will turn off and siren will 'chirp' twice.
14. process complete, test your remotes.