Car won't start! Immobilizer?? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

nixter · 5th April 2006, 06:30

Hi guys, just went to start the car and nothing. All the electricals are good. lights, etc. When I turn the key I get nothing, no starter, just nothing. Also, when I tried to turn on the radio, the band/station lcd flashed on and off but there was no sound. I turned the radio off then back on and any attempt to press a button resulted in BEEP BEEP BEEP, until I turned the car off.

I have a Stellar alarm fob that seems to be related to a blinking light and switch that are on wires peeking out from over the lip of my back seats. My feeling is that maybe my alarm went off at some point and that immobilized my engine? I just got the car last week and I don't know much about the alarm system. I was meaning to take it to an alarm shop for some explanation but I guess it's a bit late for that! I've tried many different combos of pushing the little flashing light button under the seat and the fob lock/unlock buttons with no luck. Couldn't find much help on Stellar's website either. I'll have to try during business hours tomorrow I guess. I'm going to go try again right now.

n

nixter · 5th April 2006, 07:23

Went to try again. Nothing still. Now the radio beeps at me for about 5 minutes straight regarless of whether the car or radio is on or not. Pulled up the rear seat to check out the alarm. couldn't really assertain much. I could have dissconnected the whole thing with one multiplug but I was hesitant incase it somehow immobilized the car even further, i know little about this system.

n

nixter · 5th April 2006, 10:37

Well I had the autoclub come and check it out. Turns out my battery was too low. I guess the immobilizer kicks in if the battery is below a certain level? I've disconnected the immobilizer for now but that also means I have no keyless entry so I'd like to get the issue figured out sooner or later. Basically what was happening (I think) was that the immobilizer was going a little haywire and causing the headlights to blink all night, draining the bat. Not really sure why it was going haywire in the first place though.

n

illjah · 5th April 2006, 12:40

i had the same problem on my 535i, turned out to be battery, altho all electrics seemed fine. starter motor didn't even turn - i suspected my starter motor had gone, but was just the battery. i think my battery was drained a little due to my alarm playing up as well - never found the problem though....

nixter · 7th April 2006, 05:13

I have the feeling that if the battery power dips below a certain level that the immobilizer kicks in.

And as far as the low bat due to your alarm playing up... I'm begining to think it's the reverse. Battery gets low and that causes the alarm to act up.

n

DrSakke · 7th April 2006, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by nixter

I have the feeling that if the battery power dips below a certain level that the immobilizer kicks in.

And as far as the low bat due to your alarm playing up... I'm begining to think it's the reverse. Battery gets low and that causes the alarm to act up.

n

Hi
Yes, it seems to be this way. I`ve experienced it many times. If the battery gets low, the alarm goes nuts and theimmobilizer can kick in. if it starts to do this often then the battery is propably due for a change(or worse, you`ve got a charging issue.

Sakke