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  • Alarm fault

    Every now and then the alarm system activates without any cause. Lights flash, horn sounds, neighbours stone my house, domestic pets move county!

    Has any one any experience of this please?

    My guess is that the bonnet switch is faulty, but that is based on the fact that its exposed and gets covered in road grime. A spray with WD40 may have helped for a while but it has reoccurred.

    Would appreciate any ideas.
    S54 Titan Silver metallic. Black leather, most factory options including sunroof, Becker Cascade and Becker Silverstone changer.

  • #2
    You are probably right. My car was in to BMW lots of times when it had the extended warranty to sort out the bonnet sensor. I think it was replaced at least twice.
    Ex 2001 S54
    New cars:
    Lotus Carlton
    350Z

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    • #3
      This seems to be a common fault, generally caused by the bonnet switch getting mucky. Pull the bonnet switch out and clean it off with a tissue and a paint brush and then spray a bit of silicone lube on it and then clean it some more, and follow up by depressing and pulling the switch a few times to make sure it's lubricated, clean and moves freely.

      You should do this as regular maintenance, as well as lubricating the window runners and all the locks and hinges with the silicone at the same time. It prevents a lot of hassle.
      /// Exdos ///
      "Men who try the impossible and fail spectacularly are infinitely superior to those who reach for nothing and succeed" --Napoleon Bonapart

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      • #4
        Thanks exdos/MGR.

        Just done as you suggest.

        The mechanical action looks staightforward and seems to work ok now. It was sticking a little when released from pressure before I cleaned it, but can't see logically how this would make the alarm go off - likely me!

        Looks like a new switch should only cost a few quid. Maybe there is ware/corrosion inside the switch.

        Will report back for others.

        Thanks again,
        Ian
        S54 Titan Silver metallic. Black leather, most factory options including sunroof, Becker Cascade and Becker Silverstone changer.

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        • #5
          I had the same problem, however freeing up the bonnet sensor didn't seem to make any improvement.

          The alarm kept going off about the same time of day. It struck me this was the time the sun moved round to the front of the house where the car was parked. If the sun was out, i knew the alarm would go off at a certain time. It seems it's triggered when the interior of the car heats up quickly, eg if the sun crests a building and rapidly heats up the car which was previoulsy in shade.

          Suffice to say this happened rarely this summer due to our wonderful weather!

          I haven't fixed it though. I assume there are infrared movement sensors in the cabin? If that's the case can the sensitivity be adjusted?
          "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."

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          • #6
            Good theory pie-boy.

            Last happen to me last week around 3 am - the night porter in the hotel I was staying in woke me up to cancel - not brill!

            Ian
            S54 Titan Silver metallic. Black leather, most factory options including sunroof, Becker Cascade and Becker Silverstone changer.

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            • #7
              Ian - id get get changed like yours mine felt and looked fine had it changed at just under £8 and no bother since.
              In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.

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              • #8
                Had that problem for 2 years. Kept silicone greasing/exercising the bonnet switch which fixed it temporarily. But every 2 weeks, it went off again. Lost my patience in the end and just asked the garage to fit a new bonnet sensor 6 months ago.
                Can't remember what the alarm sounds like now.
                Strongstrut CL front brace-Yellowstuff pads/Castrol SRF race brake fluid-Rogue top mounts/Rear support bushes-H&R ARBs-Whiteline droplinks-Bilstein Sport shockers-H&R Springs-Black Halo Angel Eye headlight units-Sachs lightweight flywheel/matching clutch-Supersprint exhaust/race catalysers-BBS RSGTs with Falkens-K&N High Flow Air Filter-Recaro Pole Position seats - Exdos mod - ACS flippers

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                • #9
                  dreamer/coupe fan - thank you.

                  It hasn't gone off again since I cleaned it.

                  You are right, a new switch has to be the answer. Will order one.

                  At least we appear to have identified the cause of the fault - may be of use to others in the future.

                  Ian
                  S54 Titan Silver metallic. Black leather, most factory options including sunroof, Becker Cascade and Becker Silverstone changer.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    May someone point me to the correct piece of hardware on Real OEM?
                    ///M Coupe 2001 S54 Steel Grey - Paulo M.
                    -------------------------------------------
                    ----- Sporting Clube Portugal - Forever -----

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                    • #11
                      I'm guessing if you follow . . . .

                      Audio, Navigation, Electronic Systems => Alarm system

                      . . . it is the switch no 8 part no. 61319119052
                      Col N.
                      Life is not a rehearsal !

                      Porsche Cayenne S
                      ex Audi S4 Avant
                      ex 2001 S54 Titanium, Black
                      ex Porsche 968

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                      • #12
                        its not that clear but here's the diagram as per previous post


                        http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...65&fg=60&hl=18

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                        • #13
                          Thanks! It's nº 8!!!
                          ///M Coupe 2001 S54 Steel Grey - Paulo M.
                          -------------------------------------------
                          ----- Sporting Clube Portugal - Forever -----

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                          • #14
                            I finally did this job at the weekend. Hopefully I can now use my alarm again after about a 6 year interval (!). Thanks to all for posting info on here.

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