Will not start

Tiny
HEATHER GRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 1986 BMW 528E
  • 266,645 MILES
Took my car to mechanics who told me it was all caused by the alarm. My drivers door does not open also. The mechanic claimed he could get it started once when he bypassed the alarm, but then now is saying he needs more diagnostics. Do not understand why this is occurring. Why cannot I just be told how to bypass alarm. Please someone help. By the way he did say it started.
Thursday, January 19th, 2017 AT 2:43 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
If you could bypass the anti-theft system, a thief could do it too, so what would be the point of having the system? Actually, anti-theft systems are uncommonly effective at keeping owners out of their cars. This is not just a BMW thing, but it is why I drive older cars and let my newer ones sit at home. Much less chance I will be walking home.

When you said the driver's door does not open, I assume you meant the power lock does not work. That is likely tied in with the computer that has the anti-theft system built into it. One thing to consider is broken or frayed wires between the door hinges. There should be a switch in the lock mechanism to turn the alarm off. An inoperative power lock and an anti-theft system that can't be turned off are likely related to the same cause.
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Thursday, January 19th, 2017 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
HEATHER GRACE
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  • 6 POSTS
Went to pick up car today and had to jump the car then the horn keeps going off, so we attempted to find the alarm, it looks like it is a factory installed alarm so looked for it all over and think we found it on a switch under the steering column the number on it is 23.1200.00 0786 1370265 it is either the inhibiter or the immobliser. I would like to know if this is correct before I do anything else, please help.
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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 3:44 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
What are you hoping to do? I've never heard of a factory anti-theft system that could be bypassed. It is usually incorporated into multiple computers that talk back and forth to each other.
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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
HEATHER GRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I was hoping to get the horn turned off so the car will start. It turns over just cant get the horn to stop. The question I am really asking is how to get the horn to stop.
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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
It sounds like the anti-theft system is not turning off. As I mentioned, they keep more owners out of their cars than they do car thieves. One thing to consider is broken wires between the door hinges. A defective switch in the door can do that too, but you can usually unlock the passenger door with the key to turn the alarm off. If a computer failure is suspect, that will almost always mean a trip to the dealer. BMW is one of the worst manufacturers when it comes to making their repair information available to anyone other than their dealers. They want to lock up all the repair business for themselves.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
HEATHER GRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Your right! Ive heard sooo many different theories, I do know that before the car/horn went off that the heater blew and smome belowed out, those two the heater and drivers door are connected. There is also talj about turning the key a certain position at a certain angle. Im still trying!
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Monday, January 30th, 2017 AT 10:00 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Please let us know what happens so it will help others

Best, Ken
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 AT 6:10 AM
Tiny
HEATHER GRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Well the car started ehen a different battery was put in, drove down the road and steam and smoke started coming out, horn started going off again, smoke got worse horn blared, pulled over, disconnected horn and let car cool off. Started up again amd steam came out again, which I believe its the heater coil. How do I bypass the heater coil or do I just replace it?
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Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 AT 12:57 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
If the heater core is leaking, you should have coolant condensing on the windshield when in "defrost" mode. It will also be leaking onto the ground from the drain tube behind and left of the right front tire. To create steam suggests coolant is dripping onto hot exhaust parts, and a better suspect for that is a leaking heater hose. This type of leak should be rather easy to locate by pressure-testing the system. Replacing a heater core is a big job on any car, and you want to be sure it is needed before tackling that.
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Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 AT 2:59 PM

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