Most BMWs made since the early 90’s are equipped with what’s referred to as a Passive Alarm System. This page will attempt to describe how to bypass the alarm system on most models of BMW made in that era. A Passive Alarm System is one that does not have an immobilizer option, only a standard car alarm with remote locking and unlocking. The information here is accurate for many generations of E30 3 Series, E36 3 Series, E46 3 Series, Z3 & Z4 built between 1992-2005 (some may work out earlier than this range). I am relatively certain it applies to X5 models starting at least as far back as MY2000 (1999 model year) but I have no way of verifying this. Keep in mind that the information here will only help you with vehicles that have a standard car alarm with remote locking and unlocking, not vehicles with an immobilizer system.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

For vehicles equipped from the factory with a passive alarm system: – The following steps must be done within 30 seconds or your car’s touchpad (keyless entry) memory will be cleared. – Open/close any door, trunk, glove box or fuel filler door 5 times in a row. This is to give the ignition switch enough power to start the vehicle without having to crank it much at all. If you leave one of these doors open for more than 5 seconds you’ll need close/open it again before trying to start the car. – Insert your key into the ignition and turn it to the “on” position, but do not start the engine. – Press and hold the unlock button on your key fob for 6 seconds.

The doors should unlock and you will hear a beep from the car’s horn. If you do not hear a beep then you either did not hold the unlock button for long enough or you have a different model of BMW that does not use this procedure. Once you’ve heard the beep, release the unlock button and turn the key off. – Start the engine.
You’re done!