Factory alarm won't arm

[m3f_KUpolo]

So when I go to lock my doors with the button, it gives me the three chirps like there is a door open.



Anybody have this happen before? (Yes I've made sure the doors are shut )

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Check your hood switch. Its the common culpret.



Three chirps means somethings open. Just bend that tab up a bit to make it have better contact with the hood. Its near the right headlamp, up along the fender. You can't miss it. If you need, Ill take a pic for you.

[m3f_KUpolo]

I just manually depressed the hood switch and tried to arm it and that didn't do the trick. Any other ideas?



thanks,

Dan

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Check your decklid also. One of your switches may be bad. If I could get your car on a modic I could find out which one....

[m3f_KUpolo]

Check your decklid also. One of your switches may be bad. If I could get your car on a modic I could find out which one....





Hmmmm. I'm not sure I'm going to be in Virgina any time soon. I guess I'll have to take it over to my neighborhood shop and get a diagnostic done.



Thanks

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Only so much one can do over the net unfortunatly...

[m3f_M-avant_0baeb1c2f5]

my hood switch gets cranky - same thing. try pressing the contact into the switch while the hood is up - make sure that the it makes the "click" noise when you press it.

[m3f_Edgy_592e912c16]

Damn, as soon as I saw this post I knew Trev would have already responded...



And who was it that clued him in to the Forum? Hmmm..... :whistle:



Keep fiddling with the hood spring, KUpolo. Same happened to me. Mine started working irregularly, then not at all, that's what it was.



Good way to confirm -- if it works once or twice after a good solid hood closing, it's definitely the spring.



Be sure it's not that before you go some potential electrical route.

[m3f_KUpolo]

Thanks. It seems to be working again, so I'm just going to wait it out and see if it happens again.



My mechanic told me that it is also common for the sensor in the drivers side door to go bad.

[m3f_m3_beer]

I have had a problem with my factory alarm as well...my alarm arms but my driver side door doesnt unlock or lock...can it be a wiring malfunction?

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

I have had a problem with my factory alarm as well...my alarm arms but my driver side door doesnt unlock or lock...can it be a wiring malfunction?



Does your door unlock when you hit the unlock button inside? If not, I would say your lock actuator is dead.

[m3f_Edgy_592e912c16]

Sirius -- what was the name of the guy who was going to Best Buy to get keyless entry? I can't find the thread -- BavAuto is offering a Stellar system for $150, if he hasn't installed anything yet.



Stellar Alarm System/Keyless Entry - Direct Plug-In for Factory Pre-wired Cars - only has one remote

Stellar's new BMWSTX code-rolling alarm PLUGS INTO YOUR 1992-2000 BMW's FACTORY PORT to ... more info...

Part # : ZZ010.000270 Clearance

$ 150.00

(reg. $ 234.95)

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Sirius -- what was the name of the guy who was going to Best Buy to get keyless entry? I can't find the thread -- BavAuto is offering a Stellar system for $150, if he hasn't installed anything yet.



Stellar Alarm System/Keyless Entry - Direct Plug-In for Factory Pre-wired Cars - only has one remote

Stellar's new BMWSTX code-rolling alarm PLUGS INTO YOUR 1992-2000 BMW's FACTORY PORT to ... more info...

Part # : ZZ010.000270 Clearance

$ 150.00

(reg. $ 234.95)



Uhhh... I can't remember... the only one I know of was my friend who installed a remote start in his E36, he he sold the car.

[m3f_erliban]

Sirius -- what was the name of the guy who was going to Best Buy to get keyless entry? I can't find the thread -- BavAuto is offering a Stellar system for $150, if he hasn't installed anything yet.



Stellar Alarm System/Keyless Entry - Direct Plug-In for Factory Pre-wired Cars - only has one remote

Stellar's new BMWSTX code-rolling alarm PLUGS INTO YOUR 1992-2000 BMW's FACTORY PORT to ... more info...

Part # : ZZ010.000270 Clearance

$ 150.00

(reg. $ 234.95)





I once said that I'd like to go to BestBuy. Thanks for the info.



But I just installed an OEM alarm (a used unit I bought from zionsvilleautosport.com). I got the alarm kit WITHOUT a remote fob and bought a fob on ebay. I followed the instruction to program the fob and it all works.



However, it's only working intermittently :???:



sometimes the alarm won't arm, seems like whenever I just turned off the car and closed the door, it won't arm, I have to wait about 10~15 seconds before it responds to my remote. Any thoughts? Maybe weak battery in the remote? It's driving me crazy!

[m3f_erliban]

Also, is the alarm in any way related/being affected by the stereo unit? I'm asking because I just replaced the stock radio as well. So I don't know if it affects the behavior of the alarm unit. By looking at the alarm wiring harness it seems there's no relation though.