Alarm Problems

[RJW]

Bought a new GS SE a few months ago and had a BMW alarm fitted as part of the deal. I've noticed that when the bike is parked up in the garage the red light, indicating the alarm is on, stops flashing after a week/10 days. I've checked the alarm is still on by taking the bike off its stand and the alarm goes off.

But if I leave the bike untouched for about 3 weeks the light has stopped and the alarm has stopped functioning totally.

I've taken the bike back to the garage and they tell me they've run a diagnostic and the alarm is working fine, but then the problem re-occurs.

When the bike is garaged I do leave it on a trickle charger, so it's not a battery/charge issue.

As a side issue, if I leave the bike parked up for any length of time, ever a few hours, I can't then deactivate the alarm with the fob, I have to deactivate with the key in the ignition. Not sure if that's connected, but it all adds to my suspicion that the alarm hasn't been correctly fitted.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Beemerman59]

Read the manual?

The answer to your first question is on page 3 of the manual.

The answer to your second question is on page 6 of the manual.

They are designed into the system and your alarm is functioning as designed and intended.

 

[Magwych]

That is all entirely normal, AFAIK. The motion sensors and sensors for the key fob signal turn off after a week or so to save on battery drain.

You bought the bike new so you should have received the alarm manual; it does mention this behaviour, somewhere. If you didn't get one, try a search on this section, there is more than one thread that contains a link to an online version of the alarm manual

 

[RJW]

The answer to your first question is on page 3 of the manual.

The answer to your second question is on page 6 of the manual.

They are designed into the system and your alarm is functioning as designed and intended.

Excellent news on question 1.

But on question 2, I park up the bike and switch the alarm on before leaving the bike. If I return again in a couple of hours shouldn't I be able to deactivate the alarm with the fob? On page 6 it explains that the alarm switches off if left unprimed and has to be reset with the ignition on/off. But I've switched it on?

Am I being dull here?

 

[dialdn]

Excellent news on question 1.

But on question 2, I park up the bike and switch the alarm on before leaving the bike. If I return again in a couple of hours shouldn't I be able to deactivate the alarm with the fob? On page 6 it explains that the alarm switches off if left unprimed and has to be reset with the ignition on/off. But I've switched it on?

Am I being dull here?

I have the same issue with my 09 GSA. Slightly annoying in that the key needs to go into the ignition then removed to open up the panniers. Haven't had BMW look at it yet. Wasn't sure if "they all do that".

D

 

[GrinningGSer]

Could you have a problem with your alarm backup battery?
Do a search. Others described it as easy to replace but means removing a few
items to locate it:
here

 

[Beemerman59]

Excellent news on question 1.

But on question 2, I park up the bike and switch the alarm on before leaving the bike. If I return again in a couple of hours shouldn't I be able to deactivate the alarm with the fob? On page 6 it explains that the alarm switches off if left unprimed and has to be reset with the ignition on/off. But I've switched it on?

Am I being dull here?

If you are then I'm just as dull cos mine does the same thing. I have assumed the same principle applies whether the alarm is primed or not, in that if left for several hours you have to turn off using the ignition key and this is a power saving "feature". I have to admit to being confused by BMW's thinking on this point as I would expect the fob to deactivate the alarm after longer periods i.e overnight. But yours is behaving exactly the same as mine does. The manual states there is a difference in fob operation if the ignition has been switched off for longer than 1 minute so maybe there's a different mode - who knows. I gave up caring and just use the ignition key to turn it off as it seems a little random.

 

[RJW]

Post 22 seems to cover it!

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173364&highlight=alarm+backup+battery&page=2

OK so the snow has cleared and I have been to Vines.

It appears that from 2008 onwards all BMW alarms have a 47 minute (why 47 - I dont know ) timer which once exceeded puts the alarm into sleep mode; i.e. still active but no longer under control of the fob. Apparently this is to save the bike's battery. Hmmmm.

On my 56 plate RT which had a BMW alarm, it didnt go into sleep until some 2-3 days had passed and I never had battery problems, so I have to question the logic. A 47 minute timeout seems to me to negate the purpose of a remote fob, why not have it activate on ignition off and disable on ignition on - think of the pennies to be saved on fobs!

However, the techs have checked the unit and fobs and have also contacted BMW to see if this 'feature' can be reset in some way. Going back to my original problem: with an armful of stuff after a hard day's work, I want to open the top box/panniers remotely so that I can sling the stuff in AND then put the key into the ignition and ride off into the sunet/blizzard. As it is I will have to get used to placing said stuff onto a wet surface, fumbling for the key, disabling the alarm via the ignition, taking the key out, and then unlocking panniers etc. before re-inserting key into ingition.

Feels like a retrograde bit of design to fix a problem that didnt exist.

Anyway - thanks Vines for investigating and I wait to hear more once you get a reply from the Uber teknicians at BMW.

 

[andyclift]

I want to open the top box/panniers remotely so that I can sling the stuff in AND then put the key into the ignition and ride off into the sunet/blizzard. As it is I will have to get used to placing said stuff onto a wet surface, fumbling for the key, disabling the alarm via the ignition, taking the key out, and then unlocking panniers etc. before re-inserting key into ingition.

We all seem to have the same problem but I have found that the movement sensor is not very sensitive and I can open and load panniers/topbox without setting off the alarm so long as I don't shake the bike too much. Easier than putting luggage and helmet on wet ground.

 

[SMB]

We all seem to have the same problem but I have found that the movement sensor is not very sensitive and I can open and load panniers/topbox without setting off the alarm so long as I don't shake the bike too much. Easier than putting luggage and helmet on wet ground.

+1
SMB

 

[GSband]

Motion detectors are indeed not that sensitive, so : +1

Or : (but this is only handy if you intend to ride away)
1. Turn key in lock of whatever case you want to open.
2. Turn on ignition (= alarm off).
3. Open case, fill it up or take things out.
4. Close case.
5. Drive off.

Advantage : once you're done with the cases, precheck has been carried out. Immediate departure.

 

[dialdn]

Post 22 seems to cover it!

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173364&highlight=alarm+backup+battery&page=2

OK so the snow has cleared and I have been to Vines.

It appears that from 2008 onwards all BMW alarms have a 47 minute (why 47 - I dont know ) timer which once exceeded puts the alarm into sleep mode; i.e. still active but no longer under control of the fob. Apparently this is to save the bike's battery. Hmmmm.

On my 56 plate RT which had a BMW alarm, it didnt go into sleep until some 2-3 days had passed and I never had battery problems, so I have to question the logic. A 47 minute timeout seems to me to negate the purpose of a remote fob, why not have it activate on ignition off and disable on ignition on - think of the pennies to be saved on fobs!

However, the techs have checked the unit and fobs and have also contacted BMW to see if this 'feature' can be reset in some way. Going back to my original problem: with an armful of stuff after a hard day's work, I want to open the top box/panniers remotely so that I can sling the stuff in AND then put the key into the ignition and ride off into the sunet/blizzard. As it is I will have to get used to placing said stuff onto a wet surface, fumbling for the key, disabling the alarm via the ignition, taking the key out, and then unlocking panniers etc. before re-inserting key into ingition.

Feels like a retrograde bit of design to fix a problem that didnt exist.

Anyway - thanks Vines for investigating and I wait to hear more once you get a reply from the Uber teknicians at BMW.

Helpful, thank you.

D