Possessed Alarms?

[bimmerbarbie]

Alright, I'm trying to figure out if this is a common problem, or if the previous owner of my bimmer installed some psychotic alarm. It uses a stock-looking keypad, but the keyless entry does not work. I was out driving one night last week, had been out for about half an hour (not the longest I've driven her) and didn't exceed 60mph (not the fastest I've driven her either), nothing unusual or hinky. Without any warning, the car alarm started freaking out! Sirens, flashers, completely killed the engine, cut the lights, I had to coast into a turning lane at 10pm, thought I was about to be taken out by the truck behind me. Finally killed the alarm, restarted and got back home.

I've never had this happen to me, nor have I heard of anyone else having this insanity. Any ideas?

More than likely I'll be having a new alarm installed, but just wondering if this has happened to anyone else.

[E36 Phantom]

WTF? It started going while you were driving?

I've heard of a low battery causing alarms to do some funny things while the car is parked, but I've never heard of it while you're driving. I don't think that could cause it while driving since you'd have current in the system from the alternator.

Uh, on E39's the ignition switch is a pretty common problem. It could be related to that...:dunno:

That's a weird one.

[bimmerbarbie]

Hmm ignition switch could make sense.... If it had an issue, maybe reset the alarm. What was strange was the alarm hadn't been activated in days, because it had been acting up while it was parked so I turned it off. Its an interesting theft deterrent feature at least, only problem was it didn't realize I wasn't stealing my own car.