Tracker

[golfgeezer]

Hello folks,

I recently bought my E89 from a fellow forum member and it has a fob which he thinks may be for a tracker. There are no markings on it whatsoever to identify the manufacturer. He didn’t pursue trying to find its origin during his ownership and it must have been the first or second owner that had it installed. As it’s there I’d like to know if it’s possible to utilise it and register it to my name and address. There’s nothing in my documents or service book giving any clues. I’d attach a pic if I could work out how to :|

 

[srhutch]

Use the attachments tab when posting and then add a file.

Can’t think that a fob would have anything to do with a tracker though.

 

[firebobby]

Sounds like a possible immobilizer fob ?
My works van has a tracker fitted and there are no clues to it being there.

 

[golfgeezer]

This is it. Completely smooth on the other side. :idunno:

 

[mcbutler]

You don't generally have an on/off for a tracker.
The whole idea is that no one knows it's there and you cannot turn it off.
Otherwise it's pretty useless.

Try opening it up for id marks, interesting to find out.

 

[buzyg]

I too doubt that is for a tracker. They are normally fit and forget. The only time I hear from mine is when it texts me and lets me know the battery needs to go on charge. Quite handy that.

 

[golfgeezer]

Try opening it up for id marks, interesting to find out.

No giveaways on the pcb. Maybe for opening electric garage door or gates?

 

[mcbutler]

Pop the board out and flip it over....

 

[enzed4]

Try opening it up for id marks, interesting to find out.

C0FB2BB6-C2F5-41CC-BC5C-76ADF2C14AE4.jpeg

No giveaways on the pcb. Maybe for opening electric garage door or gates?

Yes, it looks like a key to open a security gate. I have a grey one with no buttons does just that (not the same shape as yours)

 

[golfgeezer]

Pop the board out and flip it over....

Nothing on it apart from a serial number which starts with WPS followed by numbers.

 

[golfgeezer]

Try opening it up for id marks, interesting to find out.

C0FB2BB6-C2F5-41CC-BC5C-76ADF2C14AE4.jpeg

No giveaways on the pcb. Maybe for opening electric garage door or gates?

Yes, it looks like a key to open a security gate. I have a grey one with no buttons does just that (not the same shape as yours)

I Googled proximity key. It may be one of those but I’m still at a loss to what it’s doing. I got one on the spare key too so I’m guessing it’s required for something. Maybe a previous owner hasn’t got their gates open since they sold the car

On a serious note it could be an additional ADR security system. I’ll try that theory tomorrow by trying to start the car without the fob present.

 

[mcbutler]

Go round to the last owners house and press it, I dare you

 

[enzed4]

Go round to the last owners house and press it, I dare you

I don't believe there's a button, just a square 'panel' cut in the fob.

 

[golfgeezer]

Go round to the last owners house and press it, I dare you

I don't believe there's a button, just a square 'panel' cut in the fob.

That’s correct. No button to push. I tried leaving the fob in the house and opening the car without it in range and everything worked fine. The car unlocked and started up. The only difference is when the mystery fob is present then an audible ‘beep’ is emitted when the car is started.

 

[Felixlamb]

I Googled proximity key. It may be one of those but I’m still at a loss to what it’s doing. I got one on the spare key too so I’m guessing it’s required for something. Maybe a previous owner hasn’t got their gates open since they sold the car

On a serious note it could be an additional ADR security system. I’ll try that theory tomorrow by trying to start the car without the fob present.

Pretty sure it's that. One of the prerequisites when my stepdad bought his M5 Comp was that he had to have a tracker fitted. Pretty sure the fob links to the tracker. Will basically alert the tracking company if the car either has the ignition on or is moving without the fob near it.

 

[YDB]

Are the first owners details in the warranty book? Maybe try them and see if you can follow the ownership trail from there. Great to have a tracker set up and ready to go, if that is what it is.

 

[golfgeezer]

Are the first owners details in the warranty book? Maybe try them and see if you can follow the ownership trail from there.....

Unfortunately not. Looks like I’ve got a tracker but can’t use it

 

[YDB]

Are the first owners details in the warranty book? Maybe try them and see if you can follow the ownership trail from there.....

Unfortunately not. Looks like I’ve got a tracker but can’t use it

Another thought, visit a BMW dealer and see if the car still has all the details of owners etc on the data base. Whilst they might not give you the contact details they might contact the previous owners for you and ask them to call you. Worth a try.