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Disabling Motion Detector when necessary

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70K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  JoePizza  
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#1 · (Edited)
This is important for every BMW owner who has an Alarm System which also incorporates a Motion Detector:
I frequently take the BC Ferry from Vancouver Island to Vancouver . Once the ferry starts moving there is often a number of vehicles with alarms sounding, off and on every several minutes. Reason. The Motion Detector is ON and the movement causes it to go into Alarm.
BMW Manual instructs you to depress the round lock button twice holding it the second time. BMWs,MBs,Volvos,Audis with both door and interior alarm systems will go into alarm.
SOLUTION: After a process of elimination I discovered the solution and,despite telling BMW about it appears owners are not getting advised and the manual, since 2011 is still the same.
- Get out of the car
- Press the UNLOCK button TWICE which OPENS ALL THE DOORS(otherwise the system 'sees' only the front door/s).
- Then press the round button slowly, TWICE, holding the button in the second time until you see the RED lamp PAUSE and then blink steadily.
Note: If when you press the button twice the lamp does NOT PAUSE on the second ress, the doors have NOT all been opened. So repeat the procedure.
2. Since I started this procedure, as my dog is often in the car, there have been NO problems. I spend much time instructing frustrated car owners about this. One Bentley Convertible owner had the problem and I showed him what to do,He was amazed.

TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THIS AS EVEN IF YOU DO NOT TRAVEL BY FERRY ANY MOVEMENT OF YOUR CAR INADVERTENTLY COULD TRIGGER THE ALARM. NORMALLY THAT IS OK TO DETER INTRUDERS BUT NOT/NOT WHEN ON A FERRY OR WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED OR TRANSPORTED.

Also tell your BMW dealer BMW HQ.

al
 
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#4 ·
Mark123
Actually, as I have stated, that will NOT WORK PROPERLY. You HAVE to unlock all four doors first then do the two press routine. Otherwise, your motion detector will still be engaged.BMW accepts my solution--but HQ hasnt accepted their fault in the procedure. If you try it your suggested way, as per the book, then shake your car or take it on a rocky ride on a ferry or otherwise, you will get alarms sounding constantly.

al
 
#5 ·
Fastpaddler said:
Mark123
Actually, as I have stated, that will NOT WORK PROPERLY. You HAVE to unlock all four doors first then do the two press routine. Otherwise, your motion detector will still be engaged.BMW accepts my solution--but HQ hasnt accepted their fault in the procedure. If you try it your suggested way, as per the book, then shake your car or take it on a rocky ride on a ferry or otherwise, you will get alarms sounding constantly.
Click to expand...
I was going to write a reply today anyway. Today I tried the scenarios you mentioned, and confirmed with my 2011 535i. If I unlock only the driver's door, then try and "double lock" using the fob to disable the motion sensor, the indicator light does not "pause" with the long blink. Seems like a bug for sure.

Oh, it's "MARKL53", LOL. NP.
 
#6 · (Edited)
There is no OEM body motion/impact/shock detector in any BMW. There is a tilt sensor and an interior motion sensor. Those are the two sensors disabled by the double press of the keyfob lock button.

If you hit, shake or move the car side by side then the alarm will not trigger. It has to be tilted (like a tow truck raising the car) or breaking a window and moving inside the cabin (just breaking the window not necessarily will trigger the alarm). If a ferry is activating the alarm then something else is going on -like the tilt sensor is too sensitive.

Just try it.

If a real shock sensor is to be had then an aftermarket shock sensor must be added to the interior motion detector trigger line and then the car will have a true shock detector integrated to the OEM alarm. Breaking a window or hitting the car will trigger the alarm. A radar/proximity sensor can also be added if the paranoia is beyond medication. The DIY for these sensors is posted in another BMW forum.
 
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#7 · (Edited)
I understand what you are asserting. The BMW garage originally hoisted the car and did what you say activates the alarm. They couldnt get the alarm to activate. As stated, not only my current 528i but previous 325i would go into alarm on the ferry rides as soon as the ship started its rocking motion. Not only my car but as noted, BMWs,MBs,Volvos,Audios and one newish Bentley Convertible. I conclude that the alarm systems on these cars are similar in actuation. Unless the motion detector button PAUSES on the second press, the alarm will go off. You must completely unlock the car first then perform the 2 press function. If you disagree with me fine and, in fact, as Mark153 noted, the manual's procedure does not work as it says it is supposed to. It is particularly maddening for ferry riders and NO ONE has had a problem using my procedure. The evidence is clearly there. Finally, there are actually two types of alarm processes:a) the alarm which sounds if the glass is broken or a window or a door is forced open and b) the motion detector system inside/inside the vehicle which detects motion from inside passengers such as a pet or, as we have discovered, the rocking of the ferry boat.As most people dont take ferryies, I guess, it is not of much concern. I take them regularly and have no qualms now about leaving my dog in the car and disabling the interior motion detector system. BMW Victoria have confirmed that my discovery is actually legitimate.
AL
 
B
#9 ·
Eureka!

Fastpaddler, thanks SO :rofl: much for the info on how to disable the motion sensor. I was actually able to lock the car (CPO 2014 i3) for the first time without the alarm going off by doing as you suggested (pressing unlock button twice prior to activating the alarm). The dealership checked it and stated the alarm was OK/no faulty switches, etc.
 
W
#10 ·
Good information. To be honest, I never had that issue as one click of the unlock button opens all 4 doors for me. To make your procedure simpler as a work around if clicking button twice the why don't you set up your unlock function for all 4doors instead of the drive side door?


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D
#11 ·
I double press everyday since I have a mechanical garage system - and its not once triggered in 4 years.

However (I'll double check) when I shutdown the car, all doors unlock - I get out, close the door and do the double press action and confirm with the clown nose.

I'd be great to code it so that a single press does the disabling but it seems there is no option for that.




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D
#12 ·
So confirmed tonight. When shutting down the car, the first press of the 'Start' button which shuts down the engine, all doors unlock. Second press turns ignition off.

It must be part of the coding in mine as it will auto lock when driving off - I think it's set at 6kph. Been this was since new.

Given the earthquakes in this country, no alarms :)



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