Z4 Roadster (E85) New Alarm system doesn't work

I recently purchased a BMW Z4 alarm system for my 2004 Z4 and installed it myself. I had my local dealer activate the system and test it. It did not work and the dealer did not have any idea why. The dealer did confirm that the alarm system I bought was the correct part for my car.

This is what I have done so far to diagnose the problem;

• Checked the fuse (F30, 7.5 Amp) and it was okay.
• Disconnected the hood switch and tested the rear motion detector which failed to go off.

Does anyone know if disconnecting one of the alarm switches will allow the others to remain active and functional?
Does anyone have a suggestion on how to diagnose the problem?

Thanks for your help.

When you say it does not work, what is it not doing? Are you expecting a chirp when you lock the car?

With the hood open, I held the hood switch down, locked the car, and released the switch, nothing happened. No chirp when I locked the car either. In case it matters, the top was down while I was testing this.

With the hood down, I locked the car and bounced on the rear of the car to set off the rear motion sensor, again no alarm sounded. Same results as the dealer found.

One additional piece of information, when I did the installation I did not disconnect the battery. I simply plugged the connections into the switches as I installed them. Just in case that matters, with most devices it shouldn't but you never know.

1. What part number for the alarm kit and or components if you bought them seperately - Check REALOEM for compatibility - http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do enter it in the PN application search - make sure its compatible with your build date by mm/yr.
2. You may have already done it, but if not, check all the new plug-in connections to make sure they are connected - its a pita to take things apart but.....
3. While you are there check the Plugs for correct wiring when you do #2. There are different alarms. I think there were 4 wire plugs and 6 wire plugs - IIRC even though they connected not all were compatible with every year

The hood switch test you did is spot on - with switch depressed, one click on the the key to lock, then let go of switch and it should alarm. I think mine did this even before activation.
You may not have a tilt sensor - if price was like 50-60 retail then I'd be surprised if you do. This is the PN a lot of us used "65730302424." Its just a siren with a hood switch.

Good Luck!

The alarm I purchased is a BMW alarm kit and is compatible with the mm/yr of the car's build date listed on the model tag. I checked that before I bought it and the dealer verified it as well. That said, this car was built right around the cutoff date when BMW changed something related to the alarm system.

The connectors all looked correct when I installed them, but I will go back and recheck. I have to pull things apart again anyway.

Thanks for your reply.

I bought a second new alarm, replaced the first one component by component using the BMW installation instructions. Same results. I will be returning both alarm systems.

I found the wiring diagram for the alarm system online and noticed that the rear view mirror was involved in the diagram. Must be part of the sensor system (my guess), but I wasn't expecting that.

I would be willing to bet that the hardware is good and that the Dealership does not know what or how to set up the programming. I have the alarm but I have not gone to the dealer to have it activated. I get the 'chirp' and the flashing of lights when you lock/unlock the car. The alarm does not go off when I open a door or the hood when set because I need to get it activated.

May persons who added the alarm had much difficulties getting the dealer to activate the alarm. This is because most dealers do not employ 'experts' anymore..... this is hit or miss with dealers...

Sounds like a coding issue. Ask them if they added the right FA string.. The alarm will partially work without it... But that's not what you paid them to do. Ask 'em to call me if they'd like for someone to tell them how to do their jobs. Lol

I gave up and removed the second alarm system and returned both. I would have preferred to have a working alarm but did not want to spend $130/hr to have someone who had already spent an hour "activating" the alarm. I may go with lojack instead. Has anyone had any luck with Lojack systems?

I got LoJack when I bought the car. It's funny they charge several hundred dollars for it, they don't tell you where it's installed and there is a yearly fee of $100. I'm currently deciding I'd BMW assist is a better value. They do the same thing.

Originally Posted by Ballinallthetym

I got LoJack when I bought the car. It's funny they charge several hundred dollars for it, they don't tell you where it's installed and there is a yearly fee of $100. I'm currently deciding I'd BMW assist is a better value. They do the same thing.

Wait, WHAT!

YOU pay them for the hardware and service, and they will not tell you WHERE they put the hardware in your car?

Lol yes sir Shipkiller

@ Ballinallthetym Sorry, but in that case I would be come from Missouri, "Show Me"

@ gjohnson10 This I don't get, if you have the pre-wiring installed, and you hooked up all the components you will have a working alarm. The mirror part is not necessary. My alarm works just fine with out it.