528i alarm

I am having trouble with my 1999 528i's alarm. Everytime i use the key to lock the car the alarm will go off in about 5 minutes...why? It seems i have to close each door manually by hand to avoid the alarm going off. I recently changed the battery but why would the alram be affected?

Have you checked any of your pin switches for the doors, trunk and hood? That's all that can set it off unless you have something aftermarket installed pulling current somewhere.

my motion sensor on my 1997 528 is very sensitive can the sensitivity be reduced i always end up having to deactivate it when i press the alarm

Due to the inside motion sensor your windows HAVE to be all the way up or else any movement will set off the alarm. If all windown's are up what you can do is to press the same button that you use to set the alarm and lock the doors a second time. The alarm system will still activate BUT this will cut off the inside motion senson and the wheel stealing sensors (if alarm is set, the car cannot be lifted or alarm goes off). Hope this helps, let us know.

thanks, i was just wondering if i could avoid doing that all the time

I'm having problems with my factory alarm as well. Windows up and car closed, it will go off at random times, with or without the interior sensor activated.

Can I adjust and/or tune it myself? Any ideas on where the alarm is located on a 99' 528 wagon?

Thanks in advance everyone,

m

The problem on these cars IS the interior 'motion' sensor' above the small cover in the headliner, just behind the sunroof. The fix is replacing it [the sensor] with an updated unit. [ it;s a real common problem on E39's...................................jb

Thanks for the tip jb. Do you (or anyone) know of good online parts shops? google returned a bunch but none with special alarm parts.

thx,

m

I've only been able to get them through the dealers

understood. thanks again.

I have a 97 528i, and I had the same problem the alarm kicking on and the odometer light staying lit randomly (especially when it's windy or himid outside). I changed the battery thinking it was running low on charge which usually cause gremlins. I also replaced the alarm fuse (#54) in the fuse panel in the trunk. I have not have the problem yet since then.

Do you think the odometer light and the alarm are connected to the same fusable link (permanent positive link or whatever they call it. This is one of the big fuses in the fuse panel in the trunk.

Do you also know where in the car the fuse #1 to 53 in the glove compartment are indicated, like the ones in the trunk is listed on the side wall of the little door to the battery.

Thanks.

Njakalahy

thanks for the reply it sounds about right to replace the unit

for 'Njakalahy' and others, the fuse chart for the 'glove box' fuse panel is right above it when you open the fuse panel. pull out the white tab [carefully] and the chart slides out with it..........jb