Help! Bike died, alarm won't stop..

[Bateman]

Just pulled in the driveway from work, turned bike off as normal, after 30 seconds alarm sets, as normal, then suddenly goes off. Now, if i turn the bike off, then the alarm goes off after 30 seconds, when it should just activate. I don't have any response at all when pressing the starter button, so i can't start the bike. The right indicator is also not working. Had a service on saturday. Any suggestions before I call the breakdown recovery people out? Thanks in advance.

 

[Gas'd Off]

Check your fuses maybe?

 

[Bateman]

Checked fuses - they are all ok. Tried phoning CWs who aren't picking up. How long does an alrm go off for if I leave it?

 

[Bateman]

Here's the problem I seem to have. If I turn the ignition off, the alarm sets and then will go off. So i can't turn the bike off, and I can't start it. Not really sure what to do. I just bump started it fine. But it won't start by pressing the starter button - there is absolutely nothing there. is it possible that when they did the service and took the tank off, they snagged a wire, which has just rubbed through or melted? the right indicator doesn't work though it did flash briefly at one point. Bulbs are fine.

 

[delpel]

Don't know much about the BMW alarm, but I'm sure an alarms is an alarm no matter what bike.

It sounds like it's working normally in that one of the protection circuits is being triggered. Hence when you turn the ignition off it sets the alarm off. The reason you can't turn the starter is that is the engine immobilizer circuit.
Most alarms have 2 immobilizer circuits ie the starter and an ignition cct (coils,fuel pump)

The indicators normal flash when the alarm is triggered. Don't know if this is where your problem is. Check the wires leading upto the light, shorts to earth etc. Check all other wires around the ignition switch. Normally bike alarms are triggered by tilt/movement sensors or hot wiring the ignition. Some have an accessory loop which you pass through your panniers or other accessory. If not used the wire should be securely fixed to an earth point.

My advice is have a good poke around under the tank. Look for wires chaffed or disconnected. What make of alarm is it?

Difficult to fault find with out seeing the offending article.

I am a qualified alarm fitter and vehicle electrician by trade. I know what a git it can be to find these faults. Most places just rip out the alarm and fit a new one.

Normally alarms sound for 1 minute then reset themselves. If the trigger is still present it will go off again. Normally does this 3 times then switches off. Only indication you have that its been trigered is a rapid flashing LED

Hope that helps. If all else fails take it to the dealer who fitted it.

 

[Fanum]

I know you said you'd checked the fuses but that's exactly what happens when fuse 5 (iirc) blows......no power to starter, alarm sets then immediately triggers.

Might be worth checking it with a meter just to make sure....mine blew quite a few times until I tracked it down to a faulty heated vest lead and that was what was happening.

 

[Bateman]

thanks for this - have a more technically able mate coming round with multi meter later. i have managed to put the alarm into sleep mode - its a datatool system 3 - so now it just beeps every 15 secs, and the battery is on charge. Trouble is, the wife will go spare if she has to listen to that every 15 seconds all night! I'll try taping it up to muffle the sound. Presumably if I disconnect the battery then the battery powering the alarm will eventually run out. Its times like this I wish I'd trained as a mechanic instead of working in a bank!

 

[Gas'd Off]

System fuse?

 

[Bateman]

Hmmm. I was able to bump start the bike. Could I have done this if the system fuse has blown? The datatool installation certificate says, under Fuse information, that the fuse is in the fusebox. Presumably they are referring to the system fuse? I now have removed the battery which is on charge. Alarm is in sleep mode, quietly beeping until it drains, tank is off. Will check the alarm fuse if I can find it. Thanks

 

[Gas'd Off]

I expect you have it sorted by now, incase not, for reference, my system3 fuse is located....front subframe, wiring harness, near side, under top front of tank. Rubber cover on on too.

 

[Bateman]

I expect you have it sorted by now, incase not, for reference, my system3 fuse is located....front subframe, wiring harness, near side, under top front of tank. Rubber cover on on too.

I found the in-line fuse, which has blown, so hopeflly I'll have that replaced later and it will be ok. I phoned datatool and they are popping a couple in the post free of charge as I can't find the spare one. Thanks for the pointer on this. I very nearly took it to the dealers, which would have cost a bomb.