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Thread: 1997 Z3 no start (Help Needed)

  1. #1
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    1997 Z3 no start (Help Needed)

    1997 Z3 5sp manual transmission 4 cyl eng.
    The car was running just fine and then...
    I needed to replace the brakes (front & rear).
    The brake job seemed to go text-book I had no problems with the disassembly or the installation of the new brakes.
    Upon completion of the brake work I went to start the engine and no joy ! The instrument cluster doesn't even light up when I turn the ignition key.
    I did remove the ignition key prior to starting the brake service.
    Can someone help me where to start ??? I would appreciate any assistance.

    More information:
    With the ignition key in the on position I get NOTHING. The power windows don't operate, no power to interior lights .
    Also...when I attempt to connect a battery charger (@ the power points under the hood) the anti-theft alarm activates.
    Also... At the actual battery (with the negative terminal disconnected) I'm reading 10.2 VDC ????
    Is that low enough to keep the instrument cluster from activating when the ignition key is in the "On Position" ?.
    .
    .
    At this time I have a battery charger connected (at the battery ) I also checked the 25 Amp fuse at the battery and it's good.
    At this time the battery voltage is 11.9 VDC (14:30 9/24/18)
    Last edited by TIMZ3; 09-24-2018 at 02:30 PM.
    tim

  2. #2
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    Someone will give the exact procedure, but try putting the key in the ignition and cycle the door locks.
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  3. #3
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    Your battery is fully dead.

    Yes, factory alarm should deactivate if you put key in ignition and turn it for starting.


    With a good battery, the factory alarm system will easily deactivate from the fob as well though.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
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    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
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  4. #4
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    Help me turn off that immobilizer alarm !

    Posting to bump this thread to the top of the forum list.
    I have an update with this Z-3 .
    Currently the battery voltage in 12.3 VDC (at the battery)
    Now when I insert the ignition key (into the switch) The instrument cluster does activate and lights up progress !!
    However the immobilizer alarm is also activated !
    How do I deactivate this immobilizer alarm ?
    I have access to a Bentley repair manual (for this Z3) and there is no info to turn this alarm off .
    tim

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    Help me Mr. Wizard !

    1997 Z3 5sp manual transmission 4 cyl eng.
    How do I stop this immobilizer alarm ?
    Is there a specific procedure ?
    .
    Help me Mr. Wizard !

    .
    Previous history:
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-(Help-Needed)
    Last edited by TIMZ3; 09-24-2018 at 05:10 PM.
    tim

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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by shadowpuck View Post
    Not a duplicate thread...just added info for this new problem with the immobilizer.
    tim

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    There's no such thing as an 'immobilizer alarm'.


    Truly this is a continuation of your previous thread.

    Does your car have an alarm system or not? Is it factory alarm system? Do you have a fob for the alarm?
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  9. #9
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    What do you mean by immobilizer alarm?
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  10. #10
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    oh geez. ok....*shrug*

    it's related to your other thread about the same car, and its a continuation of the same issue.
    the same update was posted in both threads....

    i was trying to help you by not having information spread across two different threads, but, hey - rock on!
    '95 325iS - auto to manual swap done!

  11. #11
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    https://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4959

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  12. #12
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    I googled bmw z3 alarm reset to find it.

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  13. #13
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    merged the 2 threads
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  14. #14
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    [QUOTE=328 Power 04;30111507]There's no such thing as an 'immobilizer alarm'.


    I'm reading this topic...they clearly use the term "Immobilizer" in the closing comment.
    https://www.programyourkeys.com/BMW_...ogramming.html
    tim

  15. #15
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    Jeez, I'm SO glad I missed BOTH these threads.

    Tim, seriously, whatever you read, and wherever you read it, don't try to tell the best BMW computer guy there is that he doesn't know what he's talking about.

    You went to "Programyourkeys.com", a generic BS nonsense website, read an article which tells you how to initialize the remote functions of A KEY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE, and then tell a BMW computer expert to look at the nonsense website to prove your point? Hell, they don't even know that what they're talking about has NOTHING to do with "programming keys"....they're just initializing remote functions!

    AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!

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  16. #16
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    I got this 1997 Z3 fixed !
    The alarm is now off and the car is back to normal.
    There is a lot more to this story.
    This car was my Dads . He passed rather unexpectedly.
    I was reading his notes in his Bentley repair manual and found the info for this site. I am not familiar with BMW's as he was.
    I got the alarm turned off with detailed step-by-step instructions (manipulating the ignition switch and the lock / unlock buttons on the fob.
    If I learned anything, I now know how to turn off the alarm and restore the car to normal when the alarm activates.

    My last question...what caused this to happen in the first place ?
    I drove the car into the garage to perform the brake service , the key was hung on the wall (so I knew where it was) this helps me to ensure the ignition was indeed turned off. I would still like to know what caused this problem to happen.
    If this was a VW (which I'm conversant with) I could resolve the issue without a 2nd thought.

    So its fixed ! And that is all that really matters.
    Last edited by TIMZ3; 09-25-2018 at 10:03 AM.
    tim

  17. #17
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    I assume this is the factory alarm system with the oval-ish fob with 2 buttons?
    I have 3 of those systems, and the only way I see it behaving like that is if the car was locked and then the battery died.

    Putting the key in ignition and starting the car will most definitely stop the alarm in those cases. Just need a little more info. I am very familiar with the VW system as well (and its problems too).
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

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