Alarm DIY

[hill3000]

Ditto. I think that's a far more reasonable price for that kind of work.

[nszzya]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

Well, I took mine in to United today for programming. It took pretty much all day as Dan told me the techs had to go in, disconnect the alarm, program the car and then re-install the alarm. How odd is that? It does work great though and there is now an option in my idrive to turn on and off sound and lights when I lock/unlock the door. Not a cheap DIY but I think it will be worth something if the day ever comes when we must part

What was your build date? I'm wondering if installing while at Progman < 31.2.0 would be the reason why the alarm had to be disconnected. They had to update you to 31.2.0 first, re-install the alarm and then code for it. This would explain why some people have had similar experiences while others install and have the dealer code with no issues.

[KeithLM]

Originally Posted by nszzya

What was your build date? I'm wondering if installing while at Progman < 31.2.0 would be the reason why the alarm had to be disconnected. They had to update you to 31.2.0 first, re-install the alarm and then code for it. This would explain why some people have had similar experiences while others install and have the dealer code with no issues.

It's probably related. Mine was built on 4/9/08 and my dealer had to update the software first. Also, it apparently took multiple tries before the update succeeded, so that can take extra time, I just hope they don't try and charge people extra when that occurs because that is a BMW issue.

[///M1]

I just checked with my dealer, they quoted me $135 which is one hr labor for programing (assuming you install it yourself).

[nszzya]

I checked with three dealers for programming only: $135, $170, $265!

[KeithLM]

Originally Posted by ///M1

I just checked with my dealer, they quoted me $135 which is one hr labor for programing (assuming you install it yourself).

I'd ask them to look further into that before you go there. From mine and others experience it does appear that you have to have the software updated first if it hasn't been done already before the hardware is connected.

[dragon1761]

hey everyone. So i just installed my alarm and the red nose does blink. Before i reset my window limit on the driver side, the light came on of a car on the lift. I waited for 1 -2 sec and it disappeared and i noticed that the clock was not there anymore (previously reprogrammed after installing the alarm). Did i do something wrong while installing the alarm?

[n2djazz]

thanks for the detailed instructions re alarm installation. Did the instructions say to disconnect the battery ground? I have a co-worker who has done several 335i alarm installs (the first on his car) and he did not disconnect the batt. If the instructions did not say to disconnect, can you tell why you disconnected yours? (was it to keep the siren from going off when making the connection?)

[dragon1761]

Originally Posted by n2djazz

thanks for the detailed instructions re alarm installation. Did the instructions say to disconnect the battery ground? I have a co-worker who has done several 335i alarm installs (the first on his car) and he did not disconnect the batt. If the instructions did not say to disconnect, can you tell why you disconnected yours? (was it to keep the siren from going off when making the connection?)

i disconnected mine mainly because it was on the DIY post and the fact that i was connecting electronics. But if you think about it. I dont think it really matters if you do or do not, since the motion sensor only activates when you lock your car door. If you disconnect the battery you might need to reset the window limit on whichever door you open when you install the alarm and the time will reset. I learn that if you program the time on the steering wheel that it doesnt stay permanent and give you a timer error message. You need to program the clock through the radio. The last thing i notice is that if you disconnect the battery all the mileage would be erased and a yellow icon with the car on the lift appear because they dont know how many miles you can drive with that tank of gas. Drive around a few blocks and the message will disappear.

[n2djazz]

Thanks for the reply. My alarm system is on the way, ordered it from Tischer online. I will try mine without disconnecting battery...provided any accompanying instructions do not say otherwise. I believe as long as I don't let the smoke out, the electronics should be fine. I will post my experience for all to see. Should have system installed by Oct 31st of '09.

[n2djazz]

Thanks for your detailed instructions. I expect my alarm to arrive in a couple days. Did your alarm come with installation instructions? If not, what prompted you to disconnect the batt. I ask because I have a friend with a 335i coupe who installed his alarm and two others. He's a hdwe engr and he did not disconnect batteries in any install he performed. I'm gathering different perspectives before I tackle my install.

[n2djazz]

All,
Just installed my alarm (with batt connected). Took about an hour or so. Red LED beneath mirror flashes. Siren did not react to opening hood. I suppose because alarm not yet programmed. Installation was fairly straight forward. Follow Chris' superb instructions. One note, the siren goes in the rear wheel well on driver's side...that's the rear wheel opposite the gas cap door. Will get alarm programmed in the coming week. Dealer quoted $820 for alarm and install. He quoted $129 for programming only. If all goes well with programming, I will have saved circa $450.

[cgiibanez]

I also installed the alarm myself about six months ago and finally took it to the dealer to be programmed today. Everything works fine.

[n2djazz]

I took my car in today to have the alarm programmed and now I'm driving a loaner. The dealer is catching hell getting it programmed. They have requested BMW engineering assistance. The system sees the alarm but it won't take the programming. This is ridiculous. I knew this would happen to me. We'll see if tomorrow brings any success.

[dragon1761]

Originally Posted by n2djazz

I took my car in today to have the alarm programmed and now I'm driving a loaner. The dealer is catching hell getting it programmed. They have requested BMW engineering assistance. The system sees the alarm but it won't take the programming. This is ridiculous. I knew this would happen to me. We'll see if tomorrow brings any success.

has your car ever been updated since you got it? If not, then they actually have to take the alarm off and update the program then install it again to activate the alarm. im waiting for them to change my oil and see if they can program it together for free since they just need to plug it in while changing the oil to program the alarm. hope my scheme works muwahaha

[cgiibanez]

Not sure if they took my off before programming, but it did take a long time. I dropped off the car on Friday morning and didn't get it back until Tuesday afternoon. Thank God that everything turned out fine for me. I've read horror stories on some post. I wish you luck and I hope everything turns out fine for you too.

[n2djazz]

Got the car back this afternoon. Total charges $189. They did not have to remove and reinstall the alarm. They had to get a software update from BMW. Word to the wise, tell dealer to get the latest load from BMW before you schedule your appt.

I save $400 installing the system myself. But I do have one objection. The panic alarm on my '99 528i was deafening. You could not stand next to the car without covering your ears. This new alarm is barely louder than a loud alarm clock. I wish it were much, much louder. I might look into that later on.

[dragon1761]

Originally Posted by n2djazz

Got the car back this afternoon. Total charges $189. They did not have to remove and reinstall the alarm. They had to get a software update from BMW. Word to the wise, tell dealer to get the latest load from BMW before you schedule your appt.

I save $400 installing the system myself. But I do have one objection. The panic alarm on my '99 528i was deafening. You could not stand next to the car without covering your ears. This new alarm is barely louder than a loud alarm clock. I wish it were much, much louder. I might look into that later on.

Howd they charge you 189 when its quoted at 130? Cause i got the same quote too from my local dealer. Im thinking bout using a 10% off service online coupon too.

[n2djazz]

The $129 was a quote. Sometimes quotes are spot on and sometimes they aren't. In my case, it required a little more work so I had to pay a little more. The bill was all labor, no parts.

[dragon1761]

got mine programmed for 120 today at monrovia vs new century and their 218 quote.

[bradford]

Installed mine using the DIY yesterday. Thanks to the OP.

Don't know if I'm going to get it programmed or not. The clown nose blinks when I arm it and the interior motion sensor works (siren activated when I put my arm through the window).

[guydude]

Nice job! much easier then on the 335!