Z3 Alarm System

[Paul H Johnson]

Hi All, just a quick question to tax the grey cells. I have a 1997 Z3 2.8 auto. Do any of you know if the alarm system is very temperamental ? I've just discovered that the inclination sensor housed in the left hand side of boot, just under the roof hydraulic pump has been disconnected. The plug & cable are still in place. I've no idea why it was removed. I'm reluctant to plug it back together & it causes all sorts of problems !!!! I'd be grateful if any of you have had a similar situation & how you resolved it.
Thanks.
Paul J

 

[jonco]

The inclination sensor can be problematical if there is water ingress into the rear well eg. aerial seal leaking or rear screen joint. Check if there are any `tide marks' or other signs it has been submerged. The system should still operate with it disconnected. Similarly the bonnet switch can be disconnected and the rest of the system will still operate.

 

[Paul H Johnson]

Many thanks for the quick response. I'll take a look & update what I find.

 

[Paul H Johnson]

Hi all, quick update on what I've found. No obvious tide mark or water staining in the rear boot well. Slight corrosion of the plug. But as I didn't notice any problems before I found it & don't intend to reconnect it "Just in Case", I'll leave it alone !!!!! Thanks again for the assistance.

 

[DarrenH]

The inclination sensor can be problematical if there is water ingress into the rear well eg. aerial seal leaking or rear screen joint. Check if there are any `tide marks' or other signs it has been submerged. The system should still operate with it disconnected. Similarly the bonnet switch can be disconnected and the rest of the system will still operate.

Looks like this helped me though! Alarm went off at 6am. Looked in the boot and water in the sensor well and battery well. Dried everything off and left the boot open with the sun shining in. Ordered a new aerial grommet, sealed around the holes for the third brake light and replaced the bonnet seal so hopefully will resolve my water and alarm issues... Thank you

 

[Paul H Johnson]

Looks like this helped me though! Alarm went off at 6am. Looked in the boot and water in the sensor well and battery well. Dried everything off and left the boot open with the sun shining in. Ordered a new aerial grommet, sealed around the holes for the third brake light and replaced the bonnet seal so hopefully will resolve my water and alarm issues... Thank you

Just another little bit of advice that I learnt from experience. On the third brake light, don't tighten the screws too tight as this deforms the neoprene gasket & allow water to penetrate into the boot.

 

[usernothername]

Be grateful your alarm still sounded! When I bought my Z3 someone in the past clearly couldn't be bothered to figure out what was causing the alarm to trigger and had just removed the alarm siren! That completely deactivates the alarm system - no flashing LED when locked. Fiddly job to replace but all sorted now and like yours, the trigger was just a leaking aerial gromit