Security Burglar Alarm Help 1988 750iL USA model - fixed

[MercenaryZX]

Hello everyone, complete Bimmer noob here just to get that out of the way haha. Just bought a 1988 750iL USA model with 224k miles for $1200 (first BMW AND V12 two checkmarks checked off ), runs decent and body and interior in decent shape but anyway I swore I locked the passenger and trunk lock with the master key and all the locks locked automatically yesterday but today it wouldn't, only the driver's side seemed to work. Anyway I played with the driver's lock too many times with my key and the alarm started blaring like crazy and putting the key in the ignition just set it off again. Now everytime I open the door it starts blaring the alarm and the lights flash for 5 minutes. The middle red light on the dashboard keeps flashing and so does a light by the onboard computer with the number pad "limit". Please educate my ignorance but how do I turn off/disable the alarm? Unfortunately I parked the car in my underground parkade so I'm mighty embarrassed to be annoying people with that terrible noise lol. I only have one master key no fobs. From reading the manual it seems I have to unlock the door hear the alarm for 30 seconds then close the door put the key in position 1 listen for enough 30 seconds of blaring then wait 15 minutes with the key in position 1 and the alarm should be disabled. There was also something about 36 hours the middle dash light would go out. Will the alarm automatically disable itself after 36 hours? Any other easier ways I can disable/shut up the stupid alarm and stop the car into thinking I'm trying to steal it? I also read somewhere you can enter a password on the keypad to disable the alarm where it flashes "limit" unfortunately I have no idea what the code is. I also have no remote opener/fob.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[shogun]

I am not familiar with the US system, also the question is, if the system is original or aftermarket? What is the VIN, check here if the car was ordered with antitheft system. https://bimmer.work/

DWA http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/BMW_EWS.pdf EWS I was installed on vehicles beginning production 1/94, replacing the original Drive Away Protection System.
maybe you just have the simple Drive Away Protection System via OBC code. See your user manual, in case you do not have one, scroll down here http://www.e38.org/e32/

similar threads
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...tem-1988-750il
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-disconnect-it
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...5-Alarm-system

The fastest to kill the alarm is to disconnect the battery. But on an iL it takes time to remove the seat, no need to do that, check in front of the passenger rear seat support, there is a plastic cap, remove that, behind you will see the ground cable fixed to the chassis and you can remove it
http://www.ow.no/gallery2/main.php?g...62ea04759dcaf1
http://www.ow.no/gallery2/main.php?g...62ea04759dcaf1
Warning!!!!! if you remove the battery cable, you are also losing power to the radio, make sure you have the radio code before you disconnect the ground cable. Also the OBC has to be set up again with date and time, and in case there was a code, you need it.
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/obc_...c_secrets.html
Limit in the OBC means speed limit warning , see user manual from page 45 http://www.e38.org/e32/e32_1988_manual.pdf page 48 mentions: if the speed limit is exceeded the LED flashes and the gong sounds, the limit value appears briefly on the instrument panel display. Press the information key again to switch off the speed limit warning.
As for OBC code see page 49, there is also the info how to disable. And emergency starting procedure.

to remove/get to the alarm horn requires time, it is located next to the wiper motor, access only from engine bay and you have to remove parts

Did you try to resync the locking system? http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/Locked.htm

[MercenaryZX]

Hello Shogun, thank you for taking the time to help me. My vin is WBAGC8308J2767064

I found the little plastic thing to fry to access the negative ground wire thanks. I was wondering why that small plastic panel was there �� There is an aftermarket Sony Headunit so don't have to worry about the radio code.

I have a question about resetting the OBC code. In the manual I do see the procedure for the "emergency start" (disconnect battery, wait 5 minutes, reconnect, put key in position 1, alarm will sound for 30 seconds, then 15 minutes timer will start, leave key in position 1). But the manual doesn't mention if the OBC code will be erased. Is there a way to find it, or go to the dealer and they can tell me the master code or something? I don't have the old user manuals

[shogun]

You did not use any code on the OBC before, so no need to put a code. OBC code can be changed any time you put a code in, so the dealer does not have a code.
After you have disconnected the battery cable, you just have to set on the OBC time and date.
OBC features explained, also the code settings http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_35.htm
VIN WBAGC8308J2767064
Code / Type E32 (2) / GC83
Chassis Sedan (4 Doors)
Market USA (left Steering)
Engine M70 (5.00 l / 220 kW)
Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive
Transmission automatic
Color Alpin-weiss 2 (218)
Manufacturer BMW AG / Oxford, Great Britain
Options ordered
209 limited slip differential (25%) Sperrdifferenzial (25%)
464 Skibag Skisack
488 Lumbar Support Driver/front Passenger Lordosenstuetze Fahrer/beifahrer
489 Lumbar Support For Front Passenger Lordosenstuetze Fuer Beifahrer
494 Seat heating for driver and front passenger Sitzheizung für Fahrer und Beifahrer
838 Canadian Version Kanada-ausfuehrung

So ex factory there was no extra alarm system installed, only the simple drive away protection via the OBC code. But you have to check if an aftermarket alarm/antitheft is installed. Some of these items are usually located behind the cover for the steering wheel in direction door, as there is some space to install units

[MercenaryZX]

So correct me if I'm wrong, but if there was an existing OBC code then I would have to enter it everytime I want to start the car correct?

[shogun]

As you did not set a code before on the OBC, there is no existing code = no stored/fixed code, therefore one has to memorize the code. Read the user manual page 62 + 63 http://www.e38.org/e32/E32_1992_Owne..._optimised.pdf If you do not set a code, no action needed.

[MercenaryZX]

OK I think I understand now. This OBC code is not a "permanent" code like the radio code for example, it is just a temporary one which you can change everytime you leave the car if you so wish. Disconnecting the battery wouldn't erase the code if one was active but since I started the car plenty of times before I triggered the alarm and never made a code myself, there is no code currently active.

[MercenaryZX]

Hi everyone, just a quick update in case anyone encounters the same problem. Unfortunately disconnecting the battery didn't fix the problem. Yes when I reconnected it the alarm didn't sound. But I had one door open. When I closed the door and reopened it the alarm sounded again. What fixed the problem was putting the key in position 1 in the ignition (for the accessories like the radio) and keeping it there for 15 minutes (as per the owner's manual) till the security light in the middle of the dash by the windshield went out. I then started the car and had no more problems afterwards. Thank you Shogun for all your help, I learned a lot of stuff about the car like the resyncing door locks and OBC and the battery negative terminal access point panel in the seat 😀

[shogun]

Glad that you found it and fixed it.

Here some more tips and tricks from my website
Emergency mysterious EML reset
1. All doors, hood and trunk must be closed (not locked). Open the drivers door WIDE
2. Now close the drivers door and lock the car.
3. Unlock the car again and again open the drivers door WIDE.
4. Sit down on driver's seat and close the drivers door (NOT locking)
5. Push the brake pedal and keep it pushed down.
6. Now insert the ignition key into the ignition lockand set it on position 1.
7. Remove your foot from brake pedal (release) and remove the key from the ignition key.
Your engine should (temporarily) run without EML message, = no limpmode

SYNCHRONIZATION OF V12 BANKS

If the EML is replaced or without power for more than 1 hour it is likely to loose the stored synchronization values for that engine. Resynchronization is as follows
1. Run engine to operating temperature
2. In first gear, do 3 times coast from 5000 rpm to idle
3. With car stationary (P/N) idle the engine for at least 5 minutes

Reinitialize the later model IR
Sit in the car, close driver's door, set ignition key (max. 5 seconds) in position 1 and then switch key again to 0 position.
Push on your remote key (not the switchblade, the later one), button 1 (the one farest from the actual key), then pusk button 2 (next one closer to the actual key) 3 times in a very short time within 10 seconds, BUT, at the same time do NOT release button 1 (keep it pushed). Then release button 1, the LED blinls slowly for 10 seconds.
Then move the sender (remote) close to the receiver (mirror), very close, but max. about 15 centimeters, then push one of the two buttons.
The door locking system signals the successful function of the initialisation by locking and immediate unlocking.
In case the 'blinking' or the locking-unlocking does not happen, repeat the procedure again.
If you have further remote senders for your car, they have to be initialized within 30 seconds (max. up to 4 senders per car). But when doing this, do not touch the steering wheel lock.

[MercenaryZX]

Thank you Shogun, you are a wealth of information. I screenshoted your post for future use and will definitely check out your website!

PS I would like all your posts but cannot see a thumbs up button on this forum

[MercenaryZX]

Apologies, but I have a new issue lol. It was cold like a few degrees below freezing, not super cold but the snow that was falling was quite wet and the roads were very slippery. So anyway all the doors were kinda frozen so I couldn't really open any except the driver's door which took a lot of scrapping as much ice as possible by the seals and a lot of pulling before it would open. To my surprise once I got it open the alarm went off. I had unlocked the doors normally with the key before I tried to open the car. Why did the car alarm possibly go off? The seals of the door where icy, yes I had to use some force to open the driver's door but the doors were already unlocked. I disabled it by waiting 15 minutes with the key in position 1 same as last time.

[shogun]

Maybe one of the sensors was in an asynchron position and the system was assuming something 'fishy". I would grease all locks and the small microswitches in the door jambs, and also prepare the door seals for winter.
Here some info in the GM function for door locking etc:

SUBJECT: New General Modules (GM)- MODELS: (E32), 5 Series (E34) - Vehicles produced 9/91 and later
Situation: New general modules have been used in production since September 1991 in all E32 and E34 models. The software has been completely revised. Part numbers have been changed to reflect these revisions, as listed below, as of September 1991. Model Part Number
E32 61358356095
E34 61358356095 -up to 9/91 production
E34-9/91 and later production 61358355812
Note: E34 vehicles produced 9/91 and later have different central locking system components from earlier E34 vehicles; therefore, P/N 61358355812 is used only in E34 vehicles produced 9/91 and later, P/N 61358356095 can be used in E34 vehicles produced prior to 9/91, and in all E32 vehicles. When the general module is connected to the vehicles electrical system, it will recognize (and store in memory) the vehicle configuration, such as:
- with/without power windows
- With/without power sunroof
- with/without wiper contact pressure control
- with/without headlight washers
Important Information: All general modules must be plugged in only after disconnecting the vehicle's battery. If the vehicle's battery is connected when the GM is installed, undefined signal contacts can cause an incorrect vehicle configuration to be stored, resulting in the impairment of one or more of the above-mentioned systems. If one or more of the GM functions are impaired in this matter, the GM can be "cleared" by disconnecting the vehicle's battery for at least ten seconds.
GM Function Changes E32/E34 (Beginning with 9/91 Production)
- Repeat and Time interlock for headlight washers:
· Time interlock: 3 minutes
· Headlight washing at fifth windshield washing after time interlock.
- Intensive washing pump operating time reduced from 3 to 2 seconds
- Minimum interval for intermittent wiping is programmable down to 2 seconds (previously 3 seconds)
- Increased wiper contact pressure during windshield washing cycle is now also provided during dry wiping portion of the cycle (previously only during washer pump operation).
- Previously, the GM would react to opposing signals (eg., an unlock signal while trying to lock, as with a defective micro switch) by carrying out the first command, then the opposing command (e.g., locking, followed immediately by unlocking).
Repeating the first command then results in carrying out that command (e.g., try to lock again, and locking is now carried out).
This function ("Asynchronous Position") is omitted in the new GM for all E32 models and E34 models prior to 9/91 (P/N 61358356095), and remains in the new GM for E34 models after 9/91 (P/N 61358355 812) only for central locking commands "lock" and "double-lock".
- After unlocking is performed due to crash sensor activation, the locking command is now reactivated by double-locking with the key from either the driver's or passenger's door.
- The "one-touch" operation of windows has been expanded to include all four windows in the opening direction. The driver's window still has "one-touch" operation in both opening and closing directions. Interruption of the "one-touch" feature of the driver's window in the closing direction is still accomplished by depressing any window switch (in any direction), or by depressing the sunroof switch in the "tilt" direction (provided the sunroof is not already in the "tilt" position). Interruption of the "one-touch" feature of the sunroof in the closing direction is still accomplished by depressing the sunroof switch (in any direction).
- The switch-off delay of the interior lights which occurs after entering the vehicle and closing the driver's door has been reduced from 20 seconds to 15 seconds.

[MercenaryZX]

Thanks for the tips Shogun. If I was to find an old IR remote opener say on eBay for this BMW, does the old school remote opener have a "panic button" that immediately disables the alarm if it goes off like modern cars do?

[shogun]

Never heard that the old IR remotes have a panic button.