Alarm goes off when it rains - Puma?

[ianl]

Hi,
When it rains my alarm goes off. From searching this great forum it seems this is a common problem which BMW have a PUMA for. I guess that is some sort of problem database? The fix is something to do with wrapping a sensor in the door (or doors?) with tin foil but I can’t find any specifics about it. I would prefer to try this myself rather than asking a dealer.

Anyone got any more details about the fix please?

Many thanks,
Ian

 

[jabber]

Hi I had this mod done to the first z4 I owned several years ago the dealer applied some thing to the inside of the door skin it was done under warranty but I know other members have been told by other Main Dealers there is no such mod. I did have a copy of the modification which I sent to another forum member but no longer have a copy unfortunately

 

[ronk]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=51381&hilit=foil+door&start=15

Its been partially blanked by 'photobucket' logo but it gives you a hint!
The dealer should be able to supply you with a copy.

I went thro' the process to find and correct the fault - It was a completely successful fix on the car I had at the time (3.0 Auto -2010)

 

[ianl]

Thanks Ronk. That's perfect. I'll have to wait until the weekend to give it a go.

Cheers!

 

[ianl]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=51381&hilit=foil+door&start=15

Its been partially blanked by 'photobucket' logo but it gives you a hint!
The dealer should be able to supply you with a copy.

I went thro' the process to find and correct the fault - It was a completely successful fix on the car I had at the time (3.0 Auto -2010)

Sorry, I should have asked. Do you know if the sensor is in both doors? If not, just drviers?

 

[ronk]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=51381&hilit=foil+door&start=15

Its been partially blanked by 'photobucket' logo but it gives you a hint!
The dealer should be able to supply you with a copy.

I went thro' the process to find and correct the fault - It was a completely successful fix on the car I had at the time (3.0 Auto -2010)

Sorry, I should have asked. Do you know if the sensor is in both doors? If not, just drviers?

Unfortunately I don't know. My car went back to the dealer at the time and I didn't ask.
Sorry

 

[ianl]

I can answer my own question as I did the mod on my car today. The antenna boxes are in both doors.

 

[ronk]

It sounds like you did the mod yourself? It could possibly be a help to a few if you could post on the “How To” section

Glad to hear you are sorted - I assume you gave the door skin a good blast with the hose pipe?

 

[ianl]

Don’t know if it is sorted yet. I couldn’t replicate it with a hosepipe before, so I will have to wait and see. More nights of sleeping with the key next to me ready to turn the alarm off!

 

[ianl]

It’s not sorted. Sunny here and the alarm just went off. More investigation required.

 

[ronk]

It’s not sorted. Sunny here and the alarm just went off. More investigation required.

It’s probably not the door modules then. My car only false alarmed during very heavy rain.
It is probably worth doing the double click on setting the system to isolate motion sensors etc leaving only the doors alarmed.

I assume you have a good battery fitted in the car ie the system isn’t seeing a voltage drop?

 

[ianl]

I haven’t checked the battery yet but it was only manufactured in 2018 so should be good, but I will check.

I had previously done the double click but the alarm still went off (happened to be in the rain), which made me think it was the door modules.

 

[ianl]

Got a new battery and the alarm is still going off. Does it log somewhere which sensor is triggering the alarm?

 

[ronk]

Sorry to hear you’re not having any success finding the source of the problem. You’ve done the obvious so I fear you might have to bite the bullet and seek professional help.

 

[mr.tourette]

Personally I'd disconnect the siren if its possible, no one pays any attention to car alarms, theyre just seen and heard as a noise nuisance for these exact reasons.

 

[ronk]

Insurance normally asks about alarm systems tho.

 

[mr.tourette]

Insurance normally asks about alarm systems tho.

Still got an alarm though hasn't it, lt would be the immobiliser that prevents any theft and that would still be operational not the op's fault if a wire has corroded through :wink:

 

[ronk]

Insurance normally asks about alarm systems tho.

Still got an alarm though hasn't it, lt would be the immobiliser that prevents any theft and that would still be operational not the op's fault if a wire has corroded through :wink:

I hear what you say and did think about that scenario before posting but it would leave a doubt in my mind.
I think I would rather just get it sorted and leave no doubt.

 

[ronk]

Have you had any progress with the diagnosis of the fault?

 

[ianl]

Just to give a quick update. I still had problems with the alarm going off. I removed everything I had added (hard-wired dashcam, SmartTop, LEDs for the angel eyes) but it still went off once. I removed the wire to the bonnet sensor. Then I revisited the PUMA mod to the door sensors, and realised I had misinterpreted the diagram and had place the foil on the wrong side (I place it on the inward facing side, rather than towards the outer skin of the door).

However, since applying the foil correctly I have reinstalled everything I had before and the alarm has not gone off. It is over a month now, and we've had a few bad storms which I would have expected to cause the alarm to go off. So, I think it is fixed. RTFM as they say!

I also looked at a possible drain on the battery. I spent some time pulling fuses and trying to work out if there was a drain or not. I have a bluetooth battery monitor connected now, which shows a slow drain over time (on my phone, which is very useful, see https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08F9ZN5XW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), but I expect that is just the usual drain caused by having the alarm on, so I'm not worried about that. I can leave the car for over a week and it is fine.

Thanks for everyone's advice. I hope I haven't jinxed it now!