Alarm going off

[enuff_zed]

Ed's Zed first issue.
Alarm went off several times last night.
This morning I disconnected the bonnet switch in the hope it was that. Nope, just went off again.
It parks on a slope, but I've locked my cars with one end up on axle stands with no issue, so don't think it's that.
Anyone got any ideas.
What controls it?

 

[HGoward]

I had a problem a month or so ago where I had a screw in the centre cubby below the handbrake and that ended up setting off the alarm. Moved the screw to the boot and it was fine. It could just be a coincidence but that sorted it, so maybe if there is anything loose move it.

 

[enuff_zed]

I had a problem a month or so ago where I had a screw in the centre cubby below the handbrake and that ended up setting off the alarm. Moved the screw to the boot and it was fine. It could just be a coincidence but that sorted it, so maybe if there is anything loose move it.

Was it moving or just because it was a metal object?

 

[HGoward]

I had a problem a month or so ago where I had a screw in the centre cubby below the handbrake and that ended up setting off the alarm. Moved the screw to the boot and it was fine. It could just be a coincidence but that sorted it, so maybe if there is anything loose move it.

Was it moving or just because it was a metal object?

That's a good question that I'm not sure the answer on, because I have the stormwerks shifter and handbrake and never had any problems with them. And no it wasn't moving. It's just something I changed and then my alarm didn't go off, it's most likely a coincidence that it stopped the alarm going off.

 

[enuff_zed]

I had a problem a month or so ago where I had a screw in the centre cubby below the handbrake and that ended up setting off the alarm. Moved the screw to the boot and it was fine. It could just be a coincidence but that sorted it, so maybe if there is anything loose move it.

Was it moving or just because it was a metal object?

That's a good question that I'm not sure the answer on, because I have the stormwerks shifter and handbrake and never had any problems with them. And no it wasn't moving. It's just something I changed and then my alarm didn't go off, it's most likely a coincidence that it stopped the alarm going off.

I've discovered other reports of loose change being left on the console and setting it off.
We had left a spare fog light in the passenger footwell. Now removed and we'll see what happens.
Hell of a straw to grasp at, but could be the cheapest fix ever. Fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes all crossed.

 

[bigwinn]

Was it moving or just because it was a metal object?

That's a good question that I'm not sure the answer on, because I have the stormwerks shifter and handbrake and never had any problems with them. And no it wasn't moving. It's just something I changed and then my alarm didn't go off, it's most likely a coincidence that it stopped the alarm going off.

I've discovered other reports of loose change being left on the console and setting it off.
We had left a spare fog light in the passenger footwell. Now removed and we'll see what happens.
Hell of a straw to grasp at, but could be the cheapest fix ever. Fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes all crossed.

Looks like the tilt sensor is in the centre console area

May be linked to the non opening issue- or similarly may be straw clutching!

 

[enuff_zed]

Cheers Stuart,
To clarify for others, I also have an issue with the centre storage door stuck closed, won't open with the string pull either. Suspect an issue with the GM5 and waiting on a reply from PH001.
We wondered if maybe the alarm could be affected by that?

However, I removed the fog light from the foot-well and so far no alarm. Could it really be that easy? My cynical mind says I'll find out at 2am. :roll:

 

[kis]

It was loose change in mine! Something with infa red waves? for the internal cabin monitoring?! Or something like that... anyway loose change was moved and not had a problem since!
It's always the simple fixes that are the best

 

[enuff_zed]

Damn! Damn! And thrice damn!
After nearly eleven hours and me starting to think it was a simple fix, the flippin' alarm just went off again.
So a further process of elimination is underway.
I have removed the booster seat from the passenger seat (just in case)
I have moved the car off their sloping drive and onto my flat one, then reset the alarm. This is to see if the tilt sensor is playing up?

Apart from that I am running out of ideas.
Does anyone know if the GM5 module is involved in any way with the alarm system?
Could this be linked to the permanently locked centre storage lid?

 

[Scubaregs]

FFS, someone is trying to nick it! :rofl:

 

[enuff_zed]

FFS, someone is trying to nick it! :rofl:

Must be The Borrowers then, cos we've seen no-one. :rofl:

 

[Pondrew]

Your sense of responsibility here is palpable mate...I feel for you.

I know nothing about the E85 alarm system, or alarm systems in general, but it has to be something simple if triggering randomly.
I presume the E85 has ultrasonic sensors in the cabin? If so check that all windows are secure with no gaps, roof is secure with no gaps.

Bonnet is a likely culprit. Check that both sides are shut down firmly and there are no loose switches, or bad contacts.

If all else fails tell Ed that you are doing a 'baptism of fire', ie it's his car sort it out yourselves! (joking I am).

 

[SonnyA85]

Will be one of two things.

Battery needs charged or air is getting into the cabin.

The sensor under the rear view mirror is atmospheric. Basically you can squeeze it inside it's cover. It detects changes in air pressure even very small changes.

If it's windy outside wind is getting in through tiny gaps and setting that sensor off. If that's the case you simply open the car using the fob then lock the car using the key in the door to turn that sensor off.

 

[enuff_zed]

Your sense of responsibility here is palpable mate...I feel for you.

I know nothing about the E85 alarm system, or alarm systems in general, but it has to be something simple if triggering randomly.
I presume the E85 has ultrasonic sensors in the cabin? If so check that all windows are secure with no gaps, roof is secure with no gaps.

Bonnet is a likely culprit. Check that both sides are shut down firmly and there are no loose switches, or bad contacts.

If all else fails tell Ed that you are doing a 'baptism of fire', ie it's his car sort it out yourselves! (joking I am).

Cheers. I'll send Ed your message of support. :rofl:
Everything is secure with no gaps. First thing I did was disconnect the bonnet switch but it still happened. (Point to note, early E85s had a single central bonnet catch)
Left it parked on my level drive last night and judging by the lack of 'management' administered bruises this morning it has not gone off.
Needs longer to be sure, including a sunny day so temperatures and pressures change in the cabin.
If it goes again I will turn off the interior motion sensors to see if it's that.
If it doesn't go off again it'll go back on his sloping drive and see what happens there (potentially being the tilt sensor)
Process of elimination really.

 

[Rockhopper]

Mine does it as well for no apparent reason - i did get a fault code but can't recall what it was! Something radio related i think?

 

[enuff_zed]

Mine does it as well for no apparent reason - i did get a fault code but can't recall what it was! Something radio related i think?

Now there's a thought.
When I got in to move it the radio came on with the ignition.
I switched it off.

 

[Rockhopper]

8A[138] Alarm Memory: Radio interior protection.

Now whether that's the actual radio or the system that detects movement inside the car is unclear.

 

[enuff_zed]

8A[138] Alarm Memory: Radio interior protection.

Now whether that's the actual radio or the system that detects movement inside the car is unclear.

Need to check codes today. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[Rockhopper]

That was with BMW Scanner V1.4.0 on the lap top.

 

[Zedebee]

The radio itself is not connected to the alarm system, just the following:
. Boot lock
. Bonnet switch
. Tilt sensor (behind rear bumper)
. Motion sensor (under centre console)
. Rear view mirror (don’t think this is a sensor, just the flashing LED)