www.bmwalarm.com

[mharrigan]

My 318ti came with the factory keyless entry/security system but no fobs. I was able to get a fob from an eBay seller but I was not able to get the system into "programming mode" to activate the fob. After talking to the local BMW dealer we determined that probably the under the glovebox black box was bad. Unfortunately BMW no longer supplies that part so it's not even possible to buy a new one.

I was trying to find a used one on the web when I ran into a company that makes BMW specific after market alarm systems. In case anyone else wants to install or replace their keyless entry/security system check out http://www.bmwalarm.com.

I'm ordering either the BMWRSX7 or the BMWRSX2 to replace my existing system. I'll report on the experience once I receive and install it.

[1996 328ti]

I'd be curious how you make out.
If a BMW dealer can't get a part, how can someone else?
I also have a problem with a company that uses a hotmail account as their contact.

Good luck!

[mharrigan]

I have to agree with you on the hotmail account, but he has been VERY responsive to my questions and the shopping part of the site seems to be very professional.

I'm not sure about where he gets the alarm systems but I'm sure they are not BMW. Or he's buying them from the OEM (BMW doesn't actually make them - they buy from someone like Alpine). More when the unit actually arrives.

I bought the "Plug and Play" for $120. He offers a $30 rebate if I return the old unit, fobs, etc. This may not be worth the effort, but then again...

More later.

[mharrigan]

I received the alarm system in the mail yesterday. It is not a BMW alarm system but it is pre-wired to connect directly to the BMW alarm system port. Basically it looks like it is "plug and play". I plan to install it this weekend and will post more info at that time. The only comment right now is that it arrived quickly and looks well made. The install manual could be better written but I think I'll figure it out with no problem.

[GDB]

let us know. does it also have the remote door locks?

[mharrigan]

Included in the box from bmwalarm.com:
- keyless entry module (black box with connectors and flexible antenna)
- wiring harnass (connects black box to bmw alarm port)
- 2 key fobs (3 buttons: lock, unlock, trunk)
- installation and programming instructions
- misc. mounting hardware

The keyless entry module is NOT an OEM bmw module - it's some sort of aftermarket. It looks like the main value added over a normal aftermarket alarm is that the wiring harnass provided makes it "plug and play". I had already purchased (and now returned) an Audiovox keyless entry and two relays that I was about to install when I found this product. It's less expensive ($120 vs $150) and should be much easier to install.

bmwalarm.com also has a security system which looks the same except that the module has security features and a siren. I actually don't like security systems (too many false alarms) so I opted for the keyless entry version.

One last thing: if you have an oem bmw security system there is a buyback program for returning your old bmw keyless security module and remotes. You get $20 or $30 back. I think you can get more on eBay...

[mharrigan]

I installed the bmwalarm.com keyless entry system this morning. There were a couple of hitches but I was ultimately successful.

There are two things that I would warn others about if they decide to go this route:

1. Although it is called "plug-and-play", it really isn't. I expected to unplug my BMW keyless entry box (which came with the car but was not working) and plug this one in. That was not the case. You need to unplug the OEM wiring harnass that plugs into the "alarm port" located under the glove box. The harnass that comes with the bmwalarm.com system does not have a plug that goes into the alarm port. Instead there are 8 wires, each with a connector that plug into the alarm port individually (red wire to pin 1, yellow wire to pin 2, etc.). I decided to cannibalize the connector from the OEM harnass and hook it up to the new harnass to make this a cleaner and more reliable setup. One tip for others: the alarm port is difficult to reach, but it can be unmounted for easier access by sliding the entire connector forward after releasing a plastic catch. Shine a flashlight in there and it will be obvious.

2. My other, and more major, complaint is the installation and programming instructions. Although written in English, they are nearly incomprehensible. On the installation, several pages are spent on the mechanics of removing the glovebox, knee bolster, etc. but the electrical connectivity is not very well detailed and complicated by the fact that the instructions are covering two different models which connect differently. There is no troubleshooting guide. Once installed you have to program the keyless remotes and set the various features of the system. As an example, to enter programming mode you turn on the ignition and press the "valet switch" 3 or 6 times depending on whether you want "designated mode" or "auto mode". It turns out that "designated mode" means single button lock/unlock and "auto mode" means one button locks and the other unlocks. There are six features that can be enabled/disabled but I couldn't figure most of them out and ended up doing a trial and error discovery process. This was all made more difficult by the fact that the manual says you will hear confirmation "chirps" as you program the unit but I never heard any chirps and had to rely on the LED and carefully following the instructions.

Bottom line: I now have a keyless entry system. The fobs are about the same size as the orginal BMW fobs and the system works fine. The installation was a bit of an adventure. I would recommend this system only to the fairly brave Do-It-Yourselfer.

[John Firestone]

Originally Posted by mharrigan

The harnass that comes with the bmwalarm.com system does not have a plug that goes into the alarm port. Instead there are 8 wires, each with a connector that plug into the alarm port individually (red wire to pin 1, yellow wire to pin 2, etc.)

Good grief, that is a hack. What would keep the bare contacts from pulling out or touching each other? And why didn't they use the BMW shells and contacts? To save money?

The installation was a bit of an adventure. I would recommend this system only to the fairly brave Do-It-Yourselfer.

I think that is being generous. From the adventure you describe, I wonder if it would have been just as easy to take your favorite OEM alarm and adapt it to the car.

I think you were asked to do much more than you should have.

[mharrigan]

Regarding the connectors, they fit tightly to the alarm port and will not easily pull out and they have shrink wrap all the way to the end so they cannot short out against each other. I still liked using the BMW connector from the OEM harnass better.

I have to agree that it's a little misleading to say plug-and-play. However, I checked into putting in the Audiovox keyless entry and it would have been a LOT more trouble than this. And it was more expensive. The best bet is to try to find an OEM unit from a junkyard or off eBay. You would also need the wiring harnass and LED if you don't already have an OEM BMW keyless security system in the car. Since BMW no longer sells the units new, this is the second best way if you don't have a keyless entry or if your's has gone bad as did mine. A generic aftermarket unit would be third on the list.

If anyone decides to give this a try, drop me an email and I'll try to give you some more tips.

Mike Harrigan

[John Firestone]

Originally Posted by mharrigan

Regarding the connectors, they fit tightly to the alarm port and will not easily pull out and they have shrink wrap all the way to the end so they cannot short out against each other. I still liked using the BMW connector from the OEM harnass better.

I think that was wise. The German automakers learned the hard way in the 1980s that electrical contacts will work themselves loose over time unless you take extra measures to secure them that go well beyond snugly slipping them over each other. As you can see, almost all the connectors in BMWs now have locking shells with primary and secondary contact locks.

If anyone needs the BMW part numbers for the alarm port plug and contacts, just let me know and I will dig them up.

[L84THSKY]

I think BMWALARM.COM is no more, but this site may have bought the rights.

They are offering key cutting and Transponder swapping services, very interesting.

http://unitedautosecurity.com/default.aspx

[318tiRedLeather]

I bought from them, works great

[L84THSKY]

I have th BMWALARM.COM system, works great, no complaints. The instructions weren't too good.

Originally Posted by 318tiRedLeather

I bought from them, works great

[p.dooley]

Mate if its not too late - you can read up on an attachment i posted a few days ago regarding re-programming the BMW alarm system.

Cheers Phil

[fun2drive]

L84THSKY:
Can you or anyone else walk me through the programming of the key fob? I got the CD but there are no instructions on how to program the key fob.
I think that part of my CD is toast.
All went well and when pushing the button the lights flash once to lock and twice to unlock but no lock function because I have no clue how to program the fobs that came with it.
Help.
I know how to program the factory alarm system and fobs and that worked fine for a friends car I did but this one, I installed it and then had to pull it out until I can figure out how to program the fobs.

oh yeah isn't the find the right pin port a lot of fun with hands that are large? I had to use a pair of needle point channel locks but once in there the pins were secure.
Thanks