Sunshade setting off alarm?
 

I have the BMW sunshade for my E70 X5d. (Pictured below in my E53) I just started using the sundshade again as it's getting warmer outside. My car alarm keeps going off. I've determined my alarm is only going off on days I have the sunshade in the window. I've been disabling the interior alarm, and the alarm doesn't go off any more. This has happened in both of my E70s. It never happened in my E53. Anyone else have this issue?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...-%20New/19.jpg

It happens on mine when the sun hits the sunshade and heats it up. The shade moves a bit when heated. I don't have the BMW shade but one with the two metal hoops.
Chuck

///M, never had this problem on my E70 35D, using the same exact sunshade... just sayin, lol...

If you had a software program like Carly for BMW or probably INPA you could see what may be setting the alarm off or if there are errors in the alarm system.

The most common problem on almost all of the BMW's is a faulty hood switch. Either bypass the hood switch with a jumper wire or replace it and see what happens. I think the hood switch is under $15.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but did you ever resolve this? I'm having the same problem with my '10 35d. I unplugged my hood switch to eliminate that possibility. With the sunshade in place, the alarm goes off every morning at about the same time as the sun warms the vehicle up. If I leave the sunshade out, I get now alarm. Really weird.

AM.

I've talked to the dealer and it isn't an issue with the vehicle. It's caused by the movement of the sunshade inside of the vehicle. So, in all reality, the vehicle's alarm system is doing it's job. LOL

The only work around is to disable the car's interior alarm (by pressing the lock button twice on your keyfob). That is what fixed the issue for me. The hood switch has nothing to do with this, so plug that back in.

Thanks!

AM.

I use a Weathertech sunshade and have never had an issue. Why the BMW one specifically?

I don't know. Mine is not a BMW one, but is virtually the same design. When I was searching forums for the issue of my alarm going off randomly, this thread suddenly explained what was happening to me. My vehicle sits in my driveway facing south. Lately, at about 9ish AM the alarm would go off if the sunshade was in. I forgot the sunshade for a few days and had no alarms. After putting back in, the alarm started going off again each morning.

It seems strange that only 2-3 people on all the BMW forums have reported this issue, but it's perfectly repeatable for me. I tried putting the sunshade in backward (reflective side in) and so far, it hasn't alarmed ( that I know of - I often can't hear it when inside my house). Too early to tell definitively, however. Otherwise, I guess I'll have to ditch the shade.

AM.

Add both our E70 and F15 to the list of "sufferers" with this issue. I've heard the sunshade moves as the temperature changes. I've heard shadows cast by the sun moving at certain times of day around the sun shade causes it. At the end of the day parking with the nose of the truck in the other direction on the driveway fixes it 99%.

Minor nuisance. A much greater one is the DDE locking itself after DEF fluid countdown timer (no start condition). :rolleyes:

My M5 has a cabin motion sensor that's part of the security system. I assume that's what's causing these issues. Do all X5s have one? Maybe mine doesn't. I do know that occasionally the engine monitor I use sometimes falls off the windshield - suction mount - and that has set the alarm off.

^ Same. Pretty sure it is an ultrasonic sensor that looks at the backscatter pattern from inside the cabin. Basically when it is armed it takes a 'snapshot' of the interior. (not a specific image, but whatever the pattern is) Then anything that changes (a kid waking up, a dog moving or a hand squeezed into a window) will trip it.


Not sure if it is 'detuned' to the speed/rate of change? The gradual heating and flexing of a sunscreen?

Ummmm.... if I park with the nose facing North, I don't NEED the sunshade at all. :D

I'm going to keep experimenting a bit, just because I'm stubborn that way (wife can vouch!) ;)

AM.