Strange Door Lock Issues

[Revie]

Over my two years of ownership (2001 3.0) on a handful of occasions I've walked up to the car and hit unlock on the fob and nothings happened. I've pressed and pressed, tried the trunk, tried re-locking then unlocking, nothing.

Then after a few minutes it's fine, locks, unlocks like a champ. When it was happening once every blue moon it didn't worry me too much, but it's happened twice in the last couple of weeks so it seems as though whatever is causing it may be getting more frequent. With the wife being pregnant and an imminent emergency dash to the hospital being on the cards in the not too distant future, I don't think I'll be able to just tell her to 'just wait a few minutes babe it'll work in a bit'.

I've googled and googled and found nothing. Anyone have any ideas?

Many thanks

[Revie]

Just one more quick question. If I were to simply unlock the door using the key, would it set the alarm off and leave me with no way of turning it off?

Thanks

[bhennrich]

Originally Posted by Revie

Just one more quick question. If I were to simply unlock the door using the key, would it set the alarm off and leave me with no way of turning it off?

Thanks

"Alarm off with key unlock" is a coding option. I believe in the US (I know mine was) that option was selected from the factory. Best way to check would be plugging it in to a computer and looking. I use BMW scanner 1.4. Next best option to see would be to just try it.


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[Qsilver7]

The alarm system (DWA) is automatically activated when you either lock the door manually (using the driver's door lock cylinder)...or using the remote key fob. This was the default coding set-up for the US market.

In regards to the "alarm" going off...this is a very easy thing to tell without "setting off" the alarm. When DWA has been activated...the red clown nose (red LED status light below the rearview mirror) will flash slowly.

You can lock the vehicle using both methods...then unlock using the oppposite method. BEFORE opening the door, check the clown nose to see if it is flashing. If it is flashing...then the alarm is still active. If the clown nose is NOT flashing...then the alarm has been turned off.

Easy peasy.

[lyngaaskhan]

I've had the same issue going on for a while.
Remote buttons randomly work or don't work.

[Revie]

Many thanks for the responses.