1997 Z3 car alarm not working

[Don Frayne]

[QUOTE="Don Frayne, post: 735393, member: 18303"
................. the removal of the glove box to get at the alarm unit that also needs to be removed looks tricky (!)

It's a bit fiddly and you need to be a bit of a contortionist if you are tall - see the link I sent you earlier
[/QUOTE]
I have come across these 2 documents - the FOB sets out the method of removing the glove box etc.
the other seems to be a work around not requiring the removal of the glove box

Interesting

 

[jonco]

It's a bit fiddly and you need to be a bit of a contortionist if you are tall - see the link I sent you earlier

I have come across these 2 documents - the FOB sets out the method of removing the glove box etc.
the other seems to be a work around not requiring the removal of the glove box

Interesting
[/QUOTE]
They are the same links I sent you Don.
I wrote one of them based on my experience in doing the job on my own car, and have since done same programming for another UK member. Given the vintage of your car I think you will have to remove glovebox to access `learning' switch on module - plenty of pics there to illustrate.
Good Luck.

 

[Don Frayne]

As others have said this vintage of car usually had the separate remote to set alarm and in the UK they were dealer fitted. What intrigued me in your opening comment was that there is no lock on passenger door? Maybe Aus. market different but I thought EU models had locks until face-lift.
Do you have a BMW alarm installed or maybe aftermarket? Easy check is to look under bonnet/hood for siren.View attachment 217181

Apologies - yes you sent me the manual

I have taken a few photos of the alarm as attached - i am off to get another key cut but it seems tha there is a key slot on the on off switch - i tried to put my key in but no luck

I will track down a dealer in WA as well

HAs anyone seen a lock like this on an alarm?

 

[Mint]

That's used to disable the alarm siren. Looks like yours is disabled. The key looks like a locker key. I don't have one on my alarm but hopefully someone can post a photo for you.

 

[Don Frayne]

thanks - I am a bit confused between the remote locking and the immobiliser and the alarm
According to the manual, the alarm is meant to come on when the doors are locked by the key lock. Correct?
The buttons on the key or the fob are meant to do this too. Correct?
The immobiliser means the car wont start unless the key with the programmed chip is entered into the key ignition.
My signal light on the in front of the gear stick doesn't flash at all - Mint from Stafford suggests that the siren has been turned off - does this deactivate the alarm?
My main aim is to get a new / spare key, have remote locking and an alarm that works - sorry for all the questions

 

[jonco]

thanks - I am a bit confused between the remote locking and the immobiliser and the alarm
According to the manual, the alarm is meant to come on when the doors are locked by the key lock. Correct?
The buttons on the key or the fob are meant to do this too. Correct?
The immobiliser means the car wont start unless the key with the programmed chip is entered into the key ignition.
My signal light on the in front of the gear stick doesn't flash at all - Mint from Stafford suggests that the siren has been turned off - does this deactivate the alarm?
My main aim is to get a new / spare key, have remote locking and an alarm that works - sorry for all the questions

Don,
Agree that the statement in the Owners handbook is confusing, as on this model/vintage of car the actual alarm system is activated by the remote system.
The remote when programmed to the car will set the alarm - the sequence for the LED on the console is fully explained in the Supplementary manual. The LED incorporates a push button which can be used to override internal sensors - see supplementary manual. It should flash when pressed - again refer to manual.
IIRC the siren key disables the siren only but not the system - have to confess its been many years since I used mine.

 

[Don Frayne]

Thanks - I will read the manual when i get back from a good Friday lunch
One thing i have JUST noticed is that the LED light on the console flicks on when I turn the key from position 1 to 2 and vica versa 2 to 1
So there is life in the system

I'm not worried that i need the alarm but if it is there and it works, so much the better

I am keen to get the remote locking working though

 

[Fender2004]

This is the key to my alarm which turns the siren off

 

[Althulas]

This is the key to my alarm which turns the siren offView attachment 219033View attachment 219035View attachment 219035

There are two types of key and looking at Dons photo of his siren he has the bladed type. I had no key for mine but was able to find another with a key on eBay.

I noticed the part number of the siren and could not find one but having a further search it appears you can buy the new items it’s an avenue worth exploring parts 5 and 7 https://www.lllparts.co.uk/en/product/siren/mpn/82929404857

 

[Don Frayne]

thanks foro the

As you can see the serpistar layout is slightly different or updated compared to mine.
View attachment 217445View attachment 217447



The black chip in between the buttons has a different number on but the silver item below the ?ring antenna is numbered the same. Overall it appears to have less components but could be a newer tech part that does away with some of the transistors. Looks like the only way to find out if they are compatible is to buy one. I’ll take the hit and have been cheeky and sent the seller an offer to get one a bit cheaper. I’ll update once I get one and are able to test it out.

As you can see the serpistar layout is slightly different or updated compared to mine.
View attachment 217445View attachment 217447



The black chip in between the buttons has a different number on but the silver item below the ?ring antenna is numbered the same. Overall it appears to have less components but could be a newer tech part that does away with some of the transistors. Looks like the only way to find out if they are compatible is to buy one. I’ll take the hit and have been cheeky and sent the seller an offer to get one a bit cheaper. I’ll update once I get one and are able to test it out.

Hi Athlanhis

As you can see the serpistar layout is slightly different or updated compared to mine.
View attachment 217445View attachment 217447



The black chip in between the buttons has a different number on but the silver item below the ?ring antenna is numbered the same. Overall it appears to have less components but could be a newer tech part that does away with some of the transistors. Looks like the only way to find out if they are compatible is to buy one. I’ll take the hit and have been cheeky and sent the seller an offer to get one a bit cheaper. I’ll update once I get one and are able to test it out.

Hi Athulas - have you received the brick remote for from the e bay seller yet?

 

[Althulas]

Not yet.

 

[Don Frayne]

Just heard from the local BMW dealer who told me he needs to get a new key with the chip programmed to turn off the immobiliser from Germany - only AUS$700 (!)
The dealer says he looked up my VIN and my Z3 was issued with remote locking etc on the key the tombstone key so there was no separate brick fob.

i have read the warning about the quality of the keys from China - i have had one China sourced key cut and there seems to be no problem.

i have tried to program the China key using the advice in the owners manual and the you tube videos with no success

A locksmith says that the chip in the key seems suitable for programming but says he needs the immobiliser out of the Z3 to program the chip. Not o keen to go there - so the issue with the china key may be the electronic circuit - can someone send me a photo of the inside of the tombstone key or let me know if it is comparable with the attached photo of the china Key?

With 78k made of my model Z3 , i expect some one has come across this issue
In the meantime i will try to think why Z3 owners loose keys and remotes so all you get when you buy one is one lonely old key(!!)