16- Z3 Replacing the Seatbelt Clip Pt2

       There are 2 types of key so here is the info for both.

Type 1
System operation
Pressing lock button activates alarm, central locking, immobilizer and double locking system.
Some models:
Holding key lock button in depressed position closes windows and then sunroof.
If key lock button is released accidentally, proceed as follows (if fitted with alarm system):
Briefly press and release unlock button.
Press and hold lock button.
Alarm system gradient sensor and interior movement sensor can be deactivated, proceed as follows (if fitted):
Briefly press key lock button after activating alarm, central locking, immobilizer and double locking system.
Alarm system gradient sensor and interior movement sensor are switched off until alarm, central locking, immobilizer and
double locking system are deactivated.

Programming
When:
Key batteries completely discharged.
Key batteries not replaced within 60 seconds.
Key added or replaced.
DO NOT press remote control buttons during battery replacement.

How:
Unlock vehicle.
Enter vehicle. Close driver's door.
Switch ignition ON and OFF.
Remove ignition key.
Press and hold unlock button.
Press lock button briefly 3 times within 10 seconds keeping unlock button depressed.
Release unlock button .
Some models: LED flashes slowly for 10 seconds.
Some models: Central locking system locks and unlocks rapidly to indicate correct programming.
Some models: Repeat above procedure if central locking system does not work and LED does not flash or LED flashes
continuously.

NOTE: A maximum of 4 keys can be programmed. Carry out programming procedure for each key within 30 seconds.

    Type 2
     System operation
Pressing lock button activates alarm, central locking and double locking system.
Holding key lock button in depressed position closes windows and then sunroof.
If key lock button is released accidentally, proceed as follows (if fitted with alarm system):
Briefly press and release unlock button.
Press and hold lock button.
Alarm system gradient sensor and interior movement sensor can be deactivated, proceed as follows (if fitted):
Briefly press key lock button after activating alarm, central locking and double locking system.
Alarm system gradient sensor and interior movement sensor are switched off until alarm, central locking and double
locking system are deactivated.

Programming
When:
Key added or replaced.

How:
Unlock vehicle.
Enter vehicle. Close driver's door.
Switch ignition ON and OFF.
Remove ignition key.
Press and hold unlock button.
Press lock button briefly 3 times within 10 seconds keeping unlock button depressed.
Release unlock button.
Central locking system locks and unlocks rapidly to indicate correct programming.
Repeat above procedure if central locking system does not work.
NOTE: A maximum of 4 keys can be programmed. Carry out programming procedure for each key within 30 seconds.

This works on most BM's, however due to the variation within the different models and entry methods using either a key with integrated chip or a keyfob are obviously the exceptions, hopefully this will sort the problems out with the majority.

I came across a question and answer guide dated 2007 and thought this could help someone having ongoing problems with their alarm system.

For those with Z3's a source of the problem can be down to the 'alarm brain', normally situated within the Boot/Trunk N/S (UK) boot well. (based on the varied models and your car). With early models there was a tendency for this well to fill up with water, covering the electrics. By drying out the 'alarm brain' and possibly moving the module to a 'better and drier position, perhaps drilling in a drain plug at the bottom of the boot well, this could solve the problem with the alarm and the puddle within the, 'well'... (Note: if the module has burnt out because of the water or damp conditions, it will be necessary to source a new or a replacement module).

It has been known for your local neighbourhood spider to set off an alarm sensor, this may sound silly however, a plausible cause.

If you have two keys to your Z3, try swopping them over and see if the alarm system will activate correctly. There maybe a problem with the circuitry within the key that is regularly used. This circuit or whole key may have to be replaced... (expensive). Try....:

Check your key/phob batteries, if they are low or dead, this could be the cause of the problem, the batteries will need replacing and the key reprogramming. This leads us onto:

After spending countless nights pondering why the alarm will not work and why it will not learn to recognise the keyfobs, after an intensive search on forums, magazines, maintenance manuals to no avail and recognising the possible costs from local dealerships to diagnose the problem, the cost of fixing the problem, I stumbled across the following: (full credit to mr MunichParts on the roadfly.org e36 forum), this seemed to work for one client at least. And was free (this is of course most important).
From the write-up it suggests everything now works amazingly well, alarm arms and disarms with nice bleeps and even the indicators flash when one (dis)activates it...

So here goes:

Follow steps 1-5 only if:
- your car has been locked with the alarm armed (i.e. you lock and activate the alarm through the keyfob),
- following the lock & alarm activation, your battery goes flat and you find that your remotes have been "unlearned" by the car while still locked with the
alarm activated.

While the alarm in the "armed" mode, it cannot be disarmed without instruction from a known keyfob. The problem that occurs when the aforementioned events take place is that when the alarm is in the "armed" mode, it cannot learn new keyfobs and hence you can't reprogram your existing (or any other) keyfobs to make it work.

Follow steps 5 onwards if your car has somehow "unlearned" the remotes but your battery hasn't gone flat with the alarm still in "armed" mode, or if you simply want to code a new remote alongside your existing one. Try steps 5-9 FIRST and only if it doesn't work, look at steps 1-5.

If your battery's gone dead and the alarm "forgets" your keyfobs, here's how you recode them:
a) remove glove box
b) pull out alarm control unit and remove receiver module from it. This will reveal 8 pins. Do not unplug control unit. When you do this, the alarm will go off and you will look like a fool, but don't worry, be patient for 30 secs and it will stop.
c) Close all the car doors and sit in the car, (actually you need to ensure that doors, trunk and bonnet are all shut). Take a short length of wire (ends exposed) and short pins 1(bottom) to pin 6(3rd from top). This will cause your doors to lock.
d) Now short pin 1 to pin 8 and this will cause the doors to unlock. The alarm is now deactivated, (this is the equivalent of a known keyfob sending a command to the alarm to disarm and also open the doors).
e) On the receiver module, there is a soft rubber blob that covers the coding switch, you need to remove this. Also, gently pull apart the cover of the receiver module and flick the coding switch to the right, this prepares the module for "learning" your remotes.
f) Reassemble the receiver module (dont put the blob back yet) and reconnect with the alarm control unit.
g) Press the red button on your remote. You will observe that it has been recognised. Press the red buttons on any other remotes you have so the alarm can learn them too.
h) With a long instrument (eg. pencil), flick the coding switch back to the left. Replace blob, get out of car, check the alarm works, replace glovebox.
i) Smile, you saved yourself a nice bunch of cash.