Pre-Owned'04 X3 Alarm - do I really have one?
 

So, it seems that my X3 has an Alarm but when I use the key to lock it I do not see light blink or siren beep.

The only thing I am going on is the Rear View Mirror - it has a little red light thingy. From what I understand this is part of the Alarm System and show "blink" after locking the doors [which it does not do].

What might I check to ensure I do have a Factory Alarm and if I do where to start to find out why it's not enabling?

Also, there is what looks like a photo cell sensors on the front of the mirror [faces out of the front of the car] and one on the mirror [faces out to the rear of the car]. What are these? Also part of the Alarm Sensors?

As I read once here, the best way is to test it - open up the door with the key and don't put the key at the ignition, or leave a window open and see if the alarm is activated.

I can tell you what comes by default in Germany, but almost all of the following points are configurable at the key, via dealer, thus your car can behave completely different.

- There is a red light below the inner mirror. (from the catalogs, no alarm seems to mean no red light there)

- clicking on the key's close button closes the doors and blinks the indicators once, without any beep (beep and indicators are configurable at the key)

- clicking on open button opens the doors without any beep or lights (this is also configurable). The manual refers that this way nobody knows which that you opened your car if you open it up from far away. Nevertheless, the inner lights turn on, so it's still possible to see which car got opened.

- clicking once on the key's close just closes the doors, might enable some parts of the alarm (must check the manual), but doesn't enable the movement sensors

- clicking again on the key's close lights up the red light and turns the alarm sensor on (e.g. don't turn the sensors on if you leave the sunroof open)

- btw, long click on the close key closes the windows and sunroof (leting the button go stops the window closing). long click on open key opens the windows and sunroof. These are also configurable at the key.

Try arming the alarm and leaving a window open, then after a few minutes attempt to put your arm in through the window and unlock the car. I did this by accident the first time I had the X5, the alarm went crazy.

:iagree: The clown nose can be programmed by the dealer to blink when the car's locked, even without the presence of an alarm.

I'll try the window thing when the wife gets home.

However, I know for sure the red light *never* blinks... Also, I also see that there is a sensor in the hood area [left back/firewall] that is enabled when the hood is closed. I assume you would only have that if you had a alarm.

Your X3's alarm could be programmed not to chirp or blink.

Yeah it blinks if you have the alarm. But it can also be programmed to blink even if you don't have the alarm installed.

The front facing sensors are the rain sensors. The rear facing sensors are for the dimming function of the mirror.

The BMW alarm has a motion sensor which is housed where the sunroof button is (look for those black slats). The motion sensor is installed in there.

The motion sensor is deactivated if you leave a window open and lock the car.

The easiest way I say to check would be to make the car bounce or shake (stand on the bumper or pull at the ski racks).

Edit: The best way to check would be to turn on the panic function of the alarm. Push and hold the trunk button for 3+ seconds, and if you have the alarm it will go off... If the trunk simply opens, you don't have the alarm...

He might be talking about the front-facing sensor on the mirror itself, which is the auto-headlight sensor. The rain-sensor is the bigger, box-like thing that attaches to the windshield.

Yes, that is the one I am talking about - it looks like a photo cell so that makes sense.

BTW, the panic button does not work either. I just talked to BMW Austin service and they told me that if there is a hood switch [passenager side firewall area] that I do in fact have an Alarm. So, he thinks there may be an issuse with it.

Well, today I found out that I do not have one.

Suggestions to get one - cheap? ;)