E36 Cobra Alarm problem

[wiramod11]

i got the same issue last time.. just couple months back drive me crazy like nuts.. even spend couple days in my mechanic to troubleshoot the issue.

Mine started same like what you had russie.. when car in lock position, you press the remote alarm button, it sound once but the door pin never went up, check the small led light near the gear console..saw it's green means the alarm had been disable.. so i had to press again the remote alarm button than it sound twice means the car been lock back.. than had to press again to unlock than all door pin went up. It happen once in a while.. till one fine day.. when you least expected.. my door pin unable to go down anymore.. (so been itchy hand.. ) i press the back door pin down.. and it lock up even pull up also it automatically went down. front door still able to pull manually.. and i lock the car with key. (might be due to my alarm comes originally with double lock)

So drive up to the mechanic.. plug in the control module (GT1) check error show as fuse burn.. so check the fuse box.. found out 1 fuse burn.. so replace the fuse and try again.. wham.. issue happen again.. fuse burn.. (try almost like 5 times all 5 fuse burn out). So suspected the alarm ECU control module.. (which control the alarm and the power window and some internal light).. before that suspected wiring.. but as far as i know i never touch or do any wiring things before. So here we go hunting for that ECU module...in halfcut shop.. try out 2-3 module..same freaking issue also... got really fedup already by that time.. look at the full E36 wiring diagram.. and finally we come to conclusion that suspected some wiring shortage (might be due to the car age as mine is yr 99).. so started trace up the wiring... than finally found out that my rear boot wiring have a slight glitch pierce at the rubber which cover the cooper wire.. so re-tape it back.. make it nicely.. than change another new fuse.. and try it out.... WALA... it works.. as normal again.. perfectly!.

And the best part is, i spend nearly 3 weeks with this such simple diagnostics.. that drive me and my mechanic crazy.. lol.. sorry ahh.. guys long story.. hehhe..

 

[Russie]

Wow good info there bro, thanks for sharing. But these few days, the problem seems to have disappeared. I am very puzzled also Will look out for it anyway, thanks

 

[Fireblade]

i got the same issue last time.. just couple months back drive me crazy like nuts.. even spend couple days in my mechanic to troubleshoot the issue.

Mine started same like what you had russie.. when car in lock position, you press the remote alarm button, it sound once but the door pin never went up, check the small led light near the gear console..saw it's green means the alarm had been disable.. so i had to press again the remote alarm button than it sound twice means the car been lock back.. than had to press again to unlock than all door pin went up. It happen once in a while.. till one fine day.. when you least expected.. my door pin unable to go down anymore.. (so been itchy hand.. ) i press the back door pin down.. and it lock up even pull up also it automatically went down. front door still able to pull manually.. and i lock the car with key. (might be due to my alarm comes originally with double lock)

So drive up to the mechanic.. plug in the control module (GT1) check error show as fuse burn.. so check the fuse box.. found out 1 fuse burn.. so replace the fuse and try again.. wham.. issue happen again.. fuse burn.. (try almost like 5 times all 5 fuse burn out). So suspected the alarm ECU control module.. (which control the alarm and the power window and some internal light).. before that suspected wiring.. but as far as i know i never touch or do any wiring things before. So here we go hunting for that ECU module...in halfcut shop.. try out 2-3 module..same freaking issue also... got really fedup already by that time.. look at the full E36 wiring diagram.. and finally we come to conclusion that suspected some wiring shortage (might be due to the car age as mine is yr 99).. so started trace up the wiring... than finally found out that my rear boot wiring have a slight glitch pierce at the rubber which cover the cooper wire.. so re-tape it back.. make it nicely.. than change another new fuse.. and try it out.... WALA... it works.. as normal again.. perfectly!.

And the best part is, i spend nearly 3 weeks with this such simple diagnostics.. that drive me and my mechanic crazy.. lol.. sorry ahh.. guys long story.. hehhe..

There has been some reported cases of damaged rear wire harness for E36 Sedan (going from the body to the left-hand side of boot lid) which causes the cobra alarm to malfunction. I too had this problem and whenever I activate the alarm, the alarm would go off as if the door had been opened. It is actually the exposed wire harness touching the boot lid and goes to ground which in turn triggers the alarm. It happened twice in my car. The cause of the damaged wire harness is due to wear and tear as each time you open/close the boot the wire harness also moves in the rubber sleeve. On the last occasion I had to replace one of the damaged wire with a new piece of wire (there are a few wires in the sleeve). You have got to make sure that the damaged wire is repaired properly and insulated securely or it will happen again soon.

 

[wiramod11]

yah correct fireblade.. mine is the left hand side damaged rear wire harness. which the cover of the rubber was a little torn which makes the wire copper inside had a re-action towards the car body (power ground) which in the end makes the shortage to the alarm... yup.. so my mechanic had done up that torn up properly.. now every time i open up my rear boot i will take a short look at the bunch of wire just for precaution.. hhee

 

[Russie]

Want to ask, is this normal for a standard E36 cobra alarm system:-

When press the remote control once to lock, all 4 door pins go down with a 2 times beep sound. But if immediately press again to unlock, got beep once but the door pin would never pop up. After testing a few rounds, found out that once the car is locked using the alarm, need to wait like 10 seconds and press the remote control again to unlock. Is this normal? Or something is wrong with the alarm setting? Mechanic suggested to send the car to cobra alarm dealer in Tmn Tun for checking. Anyone experienced this before?

 

[pussy]

not normal... go see the alarm guys...

 

[david_12v]

my alarm used to act funky too. Then one day I changed my remote batteries, and all problems gone. have you tried it? It's cheap so no harm

 

[Russie]

After so long, finally decided to send the car in to Cobra in Taman Tun for a check up. The technician said it was the alarm switch acting up as the contact points were no longer in good working condition. The sad part is, these parts are no longer in production and they do not stock up. After a few calls here and there, finally found a place where they have kept some units.
Replaced the alarm switch for RM60 inclusive of workmanship and now all the door pins can pop up again...

Here's how the original alarm switch (made by Zadi of Italy) looks like:-

 

[lamoo]

Location and phone number of Shop please.

Thank U

 

[Russie]

Selvam 0122927070 bimmer auto at jalan penchala

 

[Apiz]

Mine

Press 1 time all the door unlock and lock except Driver side door, 1 time it will lock the main door , 1 time Unlock all the door.So I press 3 times to unlock the car .

Press 1 time the whole door lock and unlock except Driver door , 1 time Lock the driver door , 1 Time Lock the car.So I press 3 times to lock the car.

 

[lamoo]

Selvam 0122927070 bimmer auto at jalan penchala

Thank U very much for the info

 

[2wenty6]

Bumping this old thread instead of creating a new one because I'm facing alarm problems also.

So! I suppose I can assume my E36 is fitted with the standard alarm if I have the squarish keyfob with Auto Bavaria printed on it correct?
My keyfobs aren't working anymore and somehow, the alarm was triggered (no sound - I think siren rosak) but the hazard lights keep flashing..so I unplugged the harnesses from the module inside the glovebox.

Now can the E36 sifus here advice if there is a specialist who is familiar with the standard E36 alarm system? I need to get mine fixed, the lack of keyless entry is quite inconvenient..

Alternatively, are there any good aftermarket alarm system and installer that you guys would recommended?

Please help, thank you very much! :smokin:

 

[V-Man]

This guy use to work with cobra > Siva 01 9 66 2 47 1 4

not sure if he still does, worth a try

 

[naharnms]

That e36 alarm is fitted with cobra. Their branch/centre is at Tmn Tun Dr Ismail, same row as the mofaz showroom (still there??).
Yup, can try to contact Siva.

- - - Updated - - -

That e36 alarm is fitted with cobra. Their branch/centre is at Tmn Tun Dr Ismail, same row as the mofaz showroom (still there??).
Yup, can try to contact Siva.

 

[2wenty6]

Thanks guy, I'll report back once I give them a visit

 

[slyder]

The cobra in our e36 is consider old tech. perhaps time to consider the newer tech ones.
but do bear in mind the voltage difference for continentals not all alarms can work

- - - Updated - - -

The cobra in our e36 is consider old tech. perhaps time to consider the newer tech ones.
but do bear in mind the voltage difference for continentals not all alarms can work

 

[boyburhan]

mayb as simple as battery gone...haha