Security alarm (BMW 5 Series E39)

The security alarm responds to:

• opening a door, hood or trunk lid
• movement inside the car (radio interior protection system)
• change in the vehicle's tilt, for example, when attempting to steal a wheel or tow it
• battery power interruption

The system reacts to the above actions by third parties as follows:

• an alarm sounds for 30 seconds
• the hazard warning lights are turned on for 5 minutes
• low beam flashes synchronously with hazard warning lights

Setting and disarming the alarm

The alarm is armed and disarmed simultaneously with the locking and unlocking of the vehicle by turning the key in any lock or using a remote radio control.

The radio interior protection system is activated approximately 30 seconds after the last time the key is turned in the lock.

If the alarm system has been set correctly, this will be indicated by a single activation of the hazard warning lights.

The trunk can be opened even after the alarm system has been set by pressing button 3 on the radio remote control. After the trunk lid is closed, it is again under the control of the alarm system.

On some export models, the alarm can only be activated by means of a radio remote control. Unlocking the car with the key from the single lock triggers the alarm on these models. Pressing button 1 (Unlock) or starting the engine deactivates the alarm.

Indicator lamp signals

The indicator lamp under the rear-view mirror in the passenger compartment is constantly on: the security alarm is activated.



The indicator lamp flashes when the alarm is set: the doors, hood or trunk lid are not closed tightly. Even if you leave everything as is, the rest of the correctly closed objects will be taken under protection, the lamp will start to burn constantly after 10 seconds. However, the radio interior protection system is not activated

The indicator lamp goes out when the alarm is removed: no unauthorized manipulations were performed on the vehicle. The indicator lamp flashes for approximately 10 seconds when the alarm is removed: a signal of outside interference.

After the alarm is triggered, the indicator lamp will again remain lit continuously.

Roll alarm sensor

To avoid an alarm signal when the tilt sensor is triggered spontaneously (for example, in a two-story garage or when transporting a car by rail) or as a result of the activation of the radio interior protection system, these systems can be switched off simultaneously.

Double lock the car, i.e. arm it twice. In other words, press button 2 on the radio remote control twice or lock the car with the key twice.

The indicator lamp will flash briefly and then remain on continuously. The tilt sensor and the radio interior protection system will be switched off until the car alarm is disarmed.

Radio interior protection system

For the radio interior protection system to function properly, the windows and the sunroof must be closed.

Turn off the interior radio protection system if

• children or animals must remain in the car
• windows or a sunroof should remain open

Interruption of the closing process of the sliding/tilting sunroof and windows within the first 10 seconds and its immediate resumption leads to the tilt sensor and the radio interior protection system being switched off. If this happens, the alarm system must be switched off and then on again to switch the tilt sensor and the radio interior protection system back on.

Emergency alarm shutdown

If it is not possible to turn off the security alarm system normally on a locked vehicle, then you should proceed as follows:

1. Unlock the door with the key (an alarm will sound for 30 seconds).

2. Sit behind the wheel, close the door behind you and, before the sound signal stops, insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the off position.

3. Wait until the indicator light goes out and the single lock works to unlock the other doors (in about 10 minutes). During this time, do not open your door and the key in the ignition switch must remain in position 1.

As a result, the alarm system will be disabled, but you will need to contact a BMW service station to have it checked.