Alarm going off whenever it wants... HELP!
 

My alarm on the X5 is going off whenever it feels like it. Not all the time but once every other day it will just go off. I haven't had a problem with this in the past, but it just started happening about a month ago. Kind of annoying. Does anyone know why this may be happening? It's a 2005 4.4, out of warranty so I don't want to take it to the dealer. Thanks!

hood switch. it either needs adjustment or needs to be replaced.

x2...same problem on my 530...disconnect the hood pin for a couple of days and see of the problem goes away.

Agree, hood switch. Common problem.

I concur with the diagnosis - likely a hood switch. Easy to disconnect, it's located under the hood on the firewall on the passenger side.

I have the same issue!!!
 

I have a newer X5 (2006), but sometimes I sit in the car and talk on the phone or the other day I was in the car with the doors unlocked and the alarm went off.

Is this something I should take to the dealer? Or is the hook switch an easy fix that will "reset" the alarm and avoid false alarms?

Thanks!!

If it is a newer car take it to the dealer and let them solve it on their dime.

So I disconnected what I think is the hood switch (the button looking thing under the hood on the passenger side). Now does that "un-arm" the entire alarm system or does it just un-arm the hood alarm and if someone opens lets say a door it will still go off. If this seems to solve the problem, what will I need to do as a permanent solution?

No, that does not disable the entire alarm system, only the hood sensor.

If that resolves it you have basically 2 options. One is to leave it disconnected or the other is to try replacing the switch.

Your 3rd option is try using a small rubber feet (you can buy it from a hardware store) on the hood so that it presses the hoodswitch button down further. I did the mod for about 3 months now...so far, so good...still no false alarm yet. It's a mod everyone should do regardless. The little rubber feet acts as a protector for the hood since it will prevent the switch from chipping off the hood paint