Nothing is worse than having your BMW stolen or messed with.

Although many BMWs

came from the factory with a keyless alarm system, many did not. The good news is you
can easily install either a factory alarm unit or an aftermarket one in your car in a short
amount of time. BMW designed the car to accept an alarm and pre-wired all the
connections for the alarm to communicate with the rest of the car's systems. Installation
is a snap--basically, plug in the unit and it will integrate automatically with the ignition
cutoff, the doors, the trunk, and the windows. Good aftermarket alarm units, such as
those manufactured by Stellar, are an excellent choice in place of the factory unit. The
Stellar units start at about $250 and add a host of additional features like a microwave
proximity sensor, integrated window control, shock sensitivity, and/or remote starting.
The unit I chose for my 325ic convertible was the basic unit with window control and a
microwave sensor. The microwave sensor is very important for convertibles, as it sounds
the alarm if anyone goes near the interior of your car with top down.
The installation procedure is very easy. Simply remove the glove box from your car (see
Photo 2). Then locate the factory alarm plug (see Photo 3). Plug in the unit and route it
along the side of the electronics compartment. At this point, you can plug in all of the
components and test to see if the system is working. If everything tests okay, pop out
the center onboard computer (OBC), the unit that displays the time, date, etc. It simply
pops out if you place a credit card in between the seam on the upper part of the unit.
With the OBC out of the way, you can pull up on the lower console piece that contains
the cigarette lighter. It should also pop right out. Drill a small hole for the alarm LED
indicator, and mount the microwave sensor underneath as well.
The microwave sensor will have at least two sensor adjustments on the unit that you
may need to play with for quite a while to get the sensitivity just right. The ideal location
for the microwave sensor is in the center of the car, as long as it's not obstructed by
metal. Microwaves will go through fabric, plastic, wood, and glass, but they won't travel
through metal. Start the adjustment process by putting the top and windows down. Start
walking toward the car. If the alarm goes off before you get to the car, then you need to
reduce the sensitivity. It will take many tries before you get the settings just right so
that if someone waves their hand inside your convertible, the alarm will activate. The
microwave sensor can also be used on nonconvertible cars, but since they are locked
most of the time, they are usually not necessary.
Route all the wires for the LED and the microwave sensor down the side of the center
console and into the glove box. Use some nylon zip ties to constrain the wires to the
frame of the car. Drill a small hole in the bottom of the kick panel, and install the valet
button; you need to be able to press this button while turning the ignition on in the car.
Installation of the siren is also very easy. If you're not using a factory siren, then simply
tap into the two existing siren wires with some electrical wiretaps. Mount the siren in the
engine bay, toward the front right side of the car (see Photo 5).
Synchronizing remotes with an existing factory system
More often than you might think, BMWs will be sold without the factory remotes that
control the alarm system. Since the BMW factory alarm doesn't arm itself automatically,
you don't need one of the remotes to use the car on a daily basis. Many times a car is
sold and the new owner doesn't even know that there's a factory alarm system installed.
If you pop open your glove box and discover a factory unit plugged into the wire
harness, that's excellent news--all you need now is a remote control and some time to
reprogram it. Remote controls can be found for about $100 or so at the dealer, or you
can typically pick up a used remote for much less at swap meets or Internet auction
sites.

On the E36 models (and many other BMW models), the factory installed two different
alarm types. The early type is designated by the three-button rectangular remote and
was installed in cars up to August 1995. Starting in September of that year, BMW began
installing an updated system distinguished by a two-button, round remote control. Both
of these systems can be programmed to be used with new or replacement remote
controls. The three-button remote reprogramming involves swapping chips into your
factory control unit; see Photo 6 for the exact procedure.
The two-button remote can be reprogrammed without having to take apart the glove
box. Simply perform the following procedure:

Prepare the car

1. Close all the doors, the trunk, and front hood.
2. The alarm must be placed into disarm mode (not armed and not activated). If this
reprogramming procedure doesn't work after attempting it a few times, you may have to
pull out the glove box and disconnect the harness to the alarm unit (or pull the fuse) to
reset it and put it into disarm mode.
3. Remove the key from the ignition.
Start code-learning mode
4. Open the rear trunk, and leave it raised and open.
5. Open the driver's door and sit down in the driver's seat.
6. While sitting in the driver's seat, close the driver's door.
7. Turn the ignition switch on, then off, five times. Do not start the engine. Simply turn
the switch to the on position each time so all the dash warning lamps illuminate.
Important: All five cycles of the ignition switch must be performed within 10 seconds.
The entire sequence of steps (one through seven) must be performed within 45 seconds.
When the steps are performed properly, the red alarm LED will illuminate continuously,
and the alarm siren will sound a single chirp. This indicates that the code-learning mode
has been started. Do not start the engine at this time.

Register remote ID codes

8. While remaining in the driver's seat, open the driver's door.
9. Close the driver's door.
10. Press and release any button on the remote control unit you wish to register with the
alarm unit. The alarm LED indicator will turn off momentarily to indicate that the ID code
has been registered with the system.
11. For additional remotes (up to a total of four), repeat steps 8 through 10.
Exit the code-learning mode
12. Open the driver's door, and get out of the car, but leave the door open.

13. Close the rear trunk.

14. Close the driver's door. The alarm status LED will turn off, and the siren will sound a
chirp twice.
15. The registration process should be complete and you should be able to use all the
remotes that you registered with the system.
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Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

This photo shows the complete alarm kit for a 325ic, manufactured by Stellar
alarms. This kit is ideal for installation into your BMW because it tightly integrates
with the BMW factory harness and all of the internal controls. Installation consists
of basically just plugging it in. A: Connector that plugs into the Stellar alarm unit.
B: Connector that plugs into the BMW factory alarm harness. C: Two fuses that
protect the factory wiring and the alarm unit. D: Siren. E: Wire harness for
microwave unit. F: Stellar alarm unit. G: Microwave proximity sensor. H: Valet
button/configuration switch. I: Status LED. J: Two key chain alarm controllers.

Shown here is the glove box on an E36 (convertible). Removal is a snap--simply

remove the six screws indicated by the yellow arrows. The lower screws can be a bit
tough to remove using a normal or even a stubby screwdriver. I employed a rightangle driver for this process (right inset). With the screws removed, pop out the
glove box lamp (left inset). With the lamp removed, you should be able to remove
the 10-millimeter bolt that attaches the glove box to the frame of the car (green
arrow).

Shown here is the electrical "spaghetti" that controls a lot of the car's functions. In
this photo, the Stellar alarm unit is shown installed on the right side of the
compartment (blue arrow). The wire harness from the alarm unit is routed across the
top of the compartment (green arrow). The 12-pin BMW alarm connector is very
difficult to see, as it's hidden in the back of the compartment (purple arrow).

After you pull out the onboard computer (OBC), you should be able to pull upward
on the lower console to gain access for the installation of the LED alarm indicator
(green arrow). Also shown here is the glass breakage (GB) sensor, which is part of
the factory alarm system, indicated by the yellow arrow.

Figure 4
This photo shows the BMW factory alarm siren installed in the front right corner of
the engine compartment (blue arrow). The yellow arrow shows the wire harness--if
using an aftermarket alarm system, you may have to tap into this harness. The red

Figure 5
arrow shows the factory siren mounting bracket.

Figure 6

Shown here is the BMW factory keyless alarm unit installed on cars up through
August 1995. This controller works with the three-button remote shown in the left
inset photo. The alarm controller is programmed to work with a specific remote by
synchronizing the small chip in the remote to the alarm unit. Open up the alarm
remote, and carefully remove the small chip (red arrow, lower right inset). Then pull
out the alarm unit from your car, leaving the main wire harness attached. Insert the
chip from the remote into the connector in the unit (blue arrow). Then turn on the
ignition, and press the reset button for at least 10 seconds (green arrow). The red
alarm indicator on your center console should flash, indicating that the codes have
been read and accepted. Turn off the ignition, reinstall the chip in your remote, and
test it--it should work! The later-style two-button remote used from September 1995
(upper right inset) uses a different synchronization method described in the main
text.

Programing 3 Button Remote

1. Close the doors, hood, and trunk with car unlocked.
2. Open the trunk lid.
3. Open the left door.
4. Sit in the left seat.
5. Close the left door.
6. Put the key in the ignition. You must do these first five steps within 45
seconds.
7. Cycle from the off position to the (almost start) second position five
times. Do this step within 10 seconds.
8. Open the left door.
9. Close theleft door.
10. On the remote: Press the large button.
11. On the remote: Press the small button.
12. On the remote: Press the large button and hold until it flashes once.
13. On the remote: Press the small button and hold until it flashes once.
14. Up to four remotes can be recognized by the cars alarm system. As
they are recorded, the oldest remote information will be overwritten.
15. Open the left door.
16. Get out of the car.
17. Close the trunk lid.
18. Close the left door.
19. The programming is complete.
20. Test the new remote(s)

Just fyi.... If your car has double lock feature you need to get two 1amp Diodes and install
them on Pin 9 and pin 10 in order for it to function with your key-less remotes
I did a remote start/keyless install on mine..wasn't too hard.

NOTE this is from a Viper system..but the wiring should be the same or very similar that
of yours since Avital, Viper, Python, and Clifford Alarms are all made by the Same
company.
1 - -------------|H1/Red/Constant 12v
2 - -------------|H3/Pink/Ignition (This is where the female nylon disconnect comes in handy)
3 - -------------|H1/Black/Ground
4 - -------------|H1/Green/Door Trigger Input
5 - -------------|H1/Green/Door Trigger Input
6 - -------------|Only used on 4 Doors
7 - -------------|H1/Brown/Siren NOTE: I Left this pin blank as i used that Brown Cable to go
to the External Siren that came with my car
8 - -------------|H1/White/Parking Light Output
9 - -------------|Lock-Unlock/Blue/ Lock Output
10 - ------------|Lock-Unlock/Green/ Unlock Output
11 - ------------|H1/Blue/Instant Trunk Trigger
12 - ------------|H1/Black-White/Domelights NOTE: Don't Use e36's already have Auto
Domelights when car is unlocked.

BMW ALARM PINOUT

OK, I need to pin out this connector in chart form, or it will just keep confusing me.
Car side 12-pin plug (Connector X13026)
Pin# Color Function
1 Red/White +12V
2 Violet/White +12V Ignition
3 Brown/Orange Ground
4 Brown/Grey Drivers Door Jam Switch Input
5 Brown/Blue Passengers Door Jam Switch Input
6 Not Used
7 Black/Blue Horn Output
8 Blue/Green To Crash Control Module
9 White/Red +Door Lock
10 Blue/Red +Door Unlock
11 Brown/White
12 Brown/Red
Some additional info from the net
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...rm-Install.htm
http://www.connectedisolation.com/20...5p-remote.html
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=117919
http://www.bimmerbrothers.com/e36-oe...ntry-retrofit/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX88WP3uTKY