Alarm issue? Dead X5 - help

trhaverstock · #1 03-23-2018, 11:03 PM

So I am installing my new Xtrons radio into my 2004 3.0 E53 and the alarm starts going nuts. I cannot lock / unlock doors from the key fob. The LED on the rearview mirror is flashing. I cannot open the trunk from the keyfob to access the battery. The drivers door is unlocked. I have pressed buttons in all order on the fob to no avail. If I put the key in the ignition, few lights come on and this thing is staring at me really funny.

Any suggestions? I am a little panicked at how this thing is acting.

Crowz · #2 03-24-2018, 02:06 AM

Well it would help if we knew what you did right before this happened. Telling us you are installing the radio is kind of vague for us to know what you might of done.

On a normal car that might be enough info. On an x5 that's not even in the ballpark of enough info to know what all you may of done up till now.

andrewwynn · #3 03-24-2018, 05:44 AM

Numerous things will make the key fob not work. Clown nose blink means alarm is set but if door is open / unlocked it's not armed. Shut the door lock with the key unlock with the key report back. The clown nose should stop blinking.

Oh: in case of emergency roll down a window first and maybe lock twice when you lock to disable the motion sensor.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

trhaverstock · #4 03-24-2018, 07:37 AM

First of all, I this is my first BMW and I have had the X5 for about 3 weeks.
Generally speaking I know what I am doing. On a BMW however, I am learning fast by mistakes like this.

Right before this happened I was following Crows' Seicam radio install and was struggling on the blue wire (amp signal on) issue. Power to the radio, all wires connected except the amp on and steering wheel control. The Xtrons is nearly identical or is identical. I was testing a wire on the harness which is a solid green and undocumented; I think different on the Xtrons than Seicam. I tested it for DC voltage with a multimeter and positive to the wire and negative to the metal 'pipe' behind the radio. I didn't notice anything happen right away but within a minute I noticed lights a little dim and the alarm issue. It is possible I shorted another wire in this but I am not sure if/how/etc.

This happened around 10 last night. I called it a night and this morning at 6 the battery appears close to dead but not 100%. No dome lights like last night and no clown nose flashing. If I put the keys in and try to start the airbag light will come on, that's it.

I have not dug for the battery before but the trunk is locked so I guess I would have to dig from the back seat into?

Should I disconnect the battery for some time and let it sit?

Crowz · #5 03-24-2018, 07:46 AM

Connect a battery charger to the post under the hood to charge it.

The pictures on this page will show you were they are.

Magcode Connector | Crowz Nest

After getting the battery charged back up things may return to normal. It sounds like you ran the battery down during the install.

Until you get it charged back up you wont know where you stand on the install or the problems.

trhaverstock · #6 03-24-2018, 07:54 AM

Thanks Crowz. I see the positive post on the drivers side and the negative post a little ways done. Will get a charge on there and report back in a while.

upallnight · #7 03-24-2018, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowz

Connect a battery charger to the post under the hood to charge it.

The pictures on this page will show you were they are.

Magcode Connector | Crowz Nest

After getting the battery charged back up things may return to normal. It sounds like you ran the battery down during the install.

Until you get it charged back up you wont know where you stand on the install or the problems.

trhaverstock · #8 03-24-2018, 11:26 AM

On the hundreds of reviews for this charger on HF it seems to have done well for others to bring back totally dead batts. I am pretty good about checking out purchases before grabbing from the shelf and running.

I may run up to HF to see if they have a dumb charger in a bit and try to give this a slow charge for an hour and see if it makes a dent.

Thing is, after uncovering the battery it is an Interstate with a 6 year warranty. Looks like a decent battery but I have no idea if it's 2 years old or 10 years old as whomever installed it did not mark it in any way :-(. I am always good about writing that with a sharpie. So it "could" be time for a new one.

trhaverstock · #9 03-24-2018, 12:14 PM

Disconnected all battery cables from the battery and for about 40 mins it appears to be accepting a charge now on the 15amp charge setting. It would not accept a charge with the charger hooked up under the hood. Perhaps something (alarm?) was trying to discharge. Will let this run a bit and see...

trhaverstock · #10 03-24-2018, 03:55 PM

Fixed. I think I have figured out my self inflicted wounds with the help of those replying here :-).

The person installing the JVC radio for the previous owner put a Canbus adapter in the trunk. I didn't see/realize this and I think having the new radio hooked up with it's own Canbus (@ the dash cavity) probably freaked out the system and I didn't realize it immediately and that caused the alarm to freak out and finish draining an already low battery.

My fault - I should have more carefully dug around in the trunk to size everything up. I removed the JVC's Canbus from the trunk and I now have audio @ the Xtrons!

Second, the alarm was still confused and I think draining the battery as the charger was trying to charge. Charging the battery directly from the posts with it disconnected from the vehicle brought it up to 100% charge in about 3-4 hours (15amp setting).

Thanks to the hatchetman who installed the aftermarket radio I have some other minor audio issues I will take over to the Seicam thread.

Another issue - my primary FOB has a dead battery from this event. I am getting in and out from my backup FOB. So I will chase that down to find the battery procedure. It also appears the driver's lock is disconnected (mechanically) inside the door and I had a major panic for a moment there. I will have to chase that down soon so I don't get locked out like I almost did.

Thanks all for the advice :-)! -T