wiring diagram

[graymae]

i'm wanna install a remote start/keyless entry system on my car, but i've been having a hell of a time tryig to get a wire diagram. does anyone have a good wire diagram i could use to do this? thanks

[1996 328ti]

The Bentley manual has a wiring schematic in it.

[graymae]

Cool, i'll check that out as soon as i recieve mine. Just baught one today on ebay.

[mooseheadm5]

What year is your car? You know that you will have to defeat EWS if your car was built after 1/95 if you want remote start, and that is no easy task (well, it can be, but you have to know exactly what you are doing.) Keyless entry is a cinch, but remote start is not going to be easy. i cannot recommend any aftermarket alarm/keyless entry system for a BMW that is not a DIRECT plug in. We have been paid hundreds (thousands, probably) at my shop to surgically remove them from BMWs over the years, especially E32/34/36 cars and correct problems caused by faulty systems and poor installation. Good luck.

[John Firestone]

Out of curiousity, how many of those extirpated aftermarket systems were installed with Scotchlok-style insulation displacement connectors?

BMW is not a great fan of remote starter systems. In Europe, they install these, either when the car is built (for ca. 800 euros) or afterwards (for about 2000).

[graymae]

Its a 96ti. I have done a few before(not saying i'm a pro or anything) but i have somewhat of an idea of how to do it. I dont use scotchlock connectors.

[John Firestone]

You would have to defeat the EWS-II system if you have a '96 model. I am not sure how many saw the vehicle theft plot I posted last week, but that comes at a price. In Germany, it is 10% of the car's worth, to be exact, as the insurance will only reimburse you 90% if it lacks a working EWS-II system (or better) and the car is stolen.

I am glad you don't use Scotchlocks.

[graymae]

I understand what ur saying, but what if the car never get stolen?

[John Firestone]

Good point. Perhaps vehicle theft is a much bigger problem here -- or perceived to be. If I left the keys in the car at a filling station, went inside to pay, came back and found the car was gone, that would be entirely my loss (because of gross negligence) and my insurance company would not pay. Maybe such things makes some of us a little paranoid, particularly those who like their cars and want to keep them for a long time.

[mooseheadm5]

Out of curiosity, is your car an auto or manual? I would not want remote start on a manual.
Yes, many of those alarm systems used scotchlock connectors. I hate them and they cause problems. I have seen alarm systems fail that were wired in "properly" but I have also seen some burn up wiring harnesses, fry ZKE modules, central lock computers (older BMWs) and other issues. Install at your own risk. Personally, I don't have any use for remote start. I think it is silly. Get in, turn the key, and if, for some reason, you want to leave it running and walk off, deadbolt it with your spare key.

[graymae]

My car is automatic and trust me, i'm planning on keeping this car for avery long time. Its not written in stone that i'm going to do a remote start. Still debating on that. However, i'm deffinately doing a keyless and trunk release hook up on it, possibly a up/down window module too.

[John Firestone]

Since you are in Florida, any interest in adding park ventilation (running the passenger compartment blower for 20-30 minutes to cool down the car before you climb in)? I have that along with remote window opening/closing. I find both are nice to have in the summer, which might feel like late Spring in Florida. (Any day, here, above 30 C / 86 F is considered HOT.)

[graymae]

Thats not a bad idea