Remote Central Locking - problems!

[RobWill116]

Hi all,

Yesterday my central locking stopped working using the fob/blipper/remote. I have read the wiki re the central locking relay, but nothing is mentioned with remote issues.

The central locking is working when I use the key, but just not with the remote. I will try some new batteries, but is there anything else to check?

Cheers,

[Brianmoooore]

Remote central locking was never offered by BMW on the E30; just key operated central locking.
There was, however, an option offered of a immobiliser ('thief proofing device'), fitted by the supplying dealer, which also converted the standard central locking to remotely operated. The system fitted by the dealer could have been a BMW branded unit, or one of two BMW 'approved' systems from other manufacturers, or, of course, your system may be one of many aftermarket systems fitted after the car had been delivered to its first owner, or by any of the owners it may have had to date.
The first thing we need to know is what, exactly, is fitted to your car.

[RobWill116]

It is a BMW branded unit, what will be best to find to identify the type I have?

[RobWill116]

This is my remote - apologies for the huge image!!

[Brianmoooore]

Does the little red light on the fob illuminate when you press the button?

[RobWill116]

Does the little red light on the fob illuminate when you press the button?

Yes it does, I'm going to pick up some new batteries to make sure its not just that - but I have a spare remote, which it will not pick up either.

Just seems to not be detecting the remote transmitting, central locking works perfect by key.

Done a bit of searching re OE immobiliser/alarms - but can't find much on them tbh

[RobWill116]

I have replaced the batteries with new ones, still no luck. Possibly fuse or relay related? Can't think of anything else it could be, vehicle electrics/alarms/immobiliser are not my strong point

[RobWill116]

Bump

[Brianmoooore]

There's a slight possibility that if you open up the fob you may find one of the surface mounted components has been shaken loose at one connection, but this is very rare.
You can also check that the unit in the car (should be behind the glovebox) is getting power. The supply should be by the red/yellow wire from fuse 28, but since these alarms were fitted by individuals at dealerships, variations are possible.
If neither of these suggestions solves the problem, the simplest solution is a remote locking kit from Rightclick, which can come with two remote fobs shaped like BMW keys from the E46 - E60 era, which are supplied with blank key blades that can be cut to fit your car's locks.

[RobWill116]

Okay thank you. I will check and let you know, ideally I would to get it working again using the dealer fitted system instead of fitting an aftermarket setup. I've never come across another e30 with bmw remote central locking, which is nice, but there's literally nothing on the forums regarding it.

Would be useful to have a section on the wiki regarding it!

[Brianmoooore]

The reason that there's nothing in the wiki is because they generally don't cause any problems, apart from physically worn out remote fobs, and a well known problem with the OEM E30 alarm, where the back up battery fails with age, usually resulting in a constant whine from the alarm sounder.

[RobWill116]

Right I had a quick look tonight, and I now have some part no.

Behind the glovebox is part no 82119418403 and a further smaller unit which connect to it as well which is part no 82119418402.

...403 comes back to the Alarm Control Unit
...402 comes back as no trace, real oem states the part no doesn't exist





However, on this 402 part there is a blue wire which is not connected to anything - I have looked but there is nothing obvious which it connects to.

I have checked all the fuses, none have blown - including 28 as mentioned.

I didn't get chance to test the power feed, couldn't find my multimeter

[RobWill116]

I've checked the power feed to the alarm control unit, had power going to it from the red wire you mentioned.

Checked all the fuses also and none have blown - would've been simple fix.

Anything else you can suggest to check/inspect? I want to get the original remote central locking working rather than replace it with aftermarket stuff

[RobWill116]

lso after a bit of further digging apparently its a 3G mk1 alarm system, using a GR40 alarm module and a Serpi Star GS3-AC siren - http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f74 ... ws-t39173/

Still no idea what the 82119418402 part is though

[RobWill116]

bump. Anything else I can check out?

[RobWill116]

Bump?

[Brianmoooore]

Chances are it's the remote fob that's the problem, since it's the bit that suffers the most abuse.
Maybe it's time to see what ebay or the E36 forums can offer? You could get an identical fob, recode it to match your existing fob, and see if that works.

[RobWill116]

Chances are it's the remote fob that's the problem, since it's the bit that suffers the most abuse.
Maybe it's time to see what ebay or the E36 forums can offer? You could get an identical fob, recode it to match your existing fob, and see if that works.

I'll give it a go, but just seems strange for both remote fobs to stop working at the same time.

It is easy enough to remove the alarm system? If I can remove the alarm module and open it up or replace it with another module?

[Brianmoooore]

If you have two remote fobs that used to work, and now both of them don't, then it's highly unlikely that they are at fault, so you should be looking for the receiver/ alarm module on ebay instead, and coding that to match your existing one.
I would expect hat the module has simple plug in connections, so will be easy to remove. Your car won't run with it unplugged though, unless you bridge over the break in the green ignition supply wire. Depending on how it's been fitted, it could also/either break the green/purple fuel pump wire or black/yellow starter wire.
I'm fairly sure that your alarm is a fixed code model, but I'm not sure if it's coded by hard wired links, like the more common E30 alarm, or by software. If it's the latter, it could just be a matter of pairing the remote fobs with the alarm to fix the problem.

[RobWill116]

Suprisingly, this is now resolved (for the meanwhile). Came to unlock the car by the key one day and the alarm started going off, pressed the central locking button and it engaged the locks. It has now worked ever since fine!

Something loose somewhere?