Electrical Problem(s) .. or a ghost??? UPDATE: going to service for 3rd time..

[genemish]

1) So a few days ago, I was driving around the town and all of the sudden the alarm goes off. I had to pull over, "reboot" (engine off, lock, unlock, engine on) and that fixed it. I was alone in the car, i do NOT have key-less entry, there was no way I would press the panic button on the key... would it even work while driving anyway?

2) Yesterday morning, i had the car parked in a public lot in Jersey City, NJ. I locked the car and walked away with the keys (self park lot). I glanced at the car a few times while walking away as there was another X5 parked nearby and I was admiring my 214s vs their 212s.. Last time I looked at the car i was about 150 feet away and everything was ok. When I came back in the evening, all the windows + sunroof were open and there was a VERY faint humming noise coming from the car. WTF??? I ruled out the accidental key pressing theory as I always keep the keys in the jacket pocket where they move around freely and don’t press against anything.. Furthermore, the car took longer than usual to start and it felt like battery was low! Luckily it didn’t rain otherwise I’d be screwed!!

3) Alarm went off last night 2 minutes after I parked the car in the driveway.... this was around 8pm

4) In the middle of last night, I woke up because the alarm went off again! I live in a quiet neighborhood, in a cul-de-sac. I’ve owned 3 X5s , I am well aware of their alarm’ sensitivity level and never had this happen in my driveway before. I went to get the keys and went outside. I have to mention that I have a movement-sensitive flood light on top of my garage door and it was off when I came outside and turned on as I approached the car, thus indicating there was no intrusion attempt. I shut the alarm off by unlocking the car. I also started the engine and it seemed to start ok.

5) In the morning, car appeared ok but I heard that same low humming noise again….and it also took longer than usual to crank and start..

Any ideas what is going on here? I will make an appointment for dealer right away but concerned I’ll get the usual “problem cannot be replicated”..

[pete540]

A Low Battery can cause the alarm to go off, charge it up and see if that works

[genemish]

right, but..

a) why would it go off while driving?
b) why did the windows and sunroof open by themselves?

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by genemish

right, but..

a) why would it go off while driving?
b) why did the windows and sunroof open by themselves?

FWIW there has been some anecdotal 'evidence/reports' that water can get to the electronics/sensors in the driver's door and produce odd behavior like you describe. IOW wet (or water damaged) sensors/electronics in the driver's door can spontaneously respond as if someone were pressing their key fob buttons.

Funf Dreisig

[MRV99]

I would call your SA and bring the car in. Our 07 had a bunch of ghosts. Took two software updates before it was fixed. My car did have the auto window down issue along with one headlight staying on, one fog light randomly turning on, alarm issues like you mentioned, radio staying on (non-comfort access) until you lock/unlock a few times, and a the tail lights would take turns staying on. I was not shocked on a first year 07 but. A my10?

[genemish]

bringing it in shortly..

[soldmystang]

my alarm went off while driving once also. it stopped after i pulled into my driveway after about a ten minute ride. according to my dealer this is a known issue. my courtesy lights would flash on their own every once in a while also.

most of my ghosts have disappeared. the dealer replaced the TCU about a year ago. the SAT radio still locks up every once in a while but otherwise no issues.

[genemish]

car is at the dealer.. driving a zippy 328xi loaner.. updates to follow.

[CarsRmyVICE]

No help but I also experienced the alarm going off while driving in my 07....isolated incident....never happened again. Was pretty annoying though haha

[blackbumer]

lol paranormal activity ! Dont worry, its the battery when it goes low or malfunction it puts trhe alarm off and does weird stuff...Did u get any warning on ur dusplay?