Red alarm light not flashing when locked

jsf721 · 03-18-2025, 11:37 PM

I heard an alarm in my neighborhood tonight. Went to look at the cars. Lucky was not mine. Checked cameras and motion lights were not triggered.

I did notice that my red alarm light was not blinking. I unlocked and re locked it and that worked but the red light was not blinking.

Any ideas on what to check ? Is there a setting to check or a fuse. Anything else I’m missing.

Last time I drove it was Sunday night so I wonder if there is a time out or a battery saver feature.

Thanks

Joe-BMW33 · 03-19-2025, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsf721

I heard an alarm in my neighborhood tonight. Went to look at the cars. Lucky was not mine. Checked cameras and motion lights were not triggered.

I did notice that my red alarm light was not blinking. I unlocked and re locked it and that worked but the red light was not blinking.

Any ideas on what to check ? Is there a setting to check or a fuse. Anything else I’m missing.

Last time I drove it was Sunday night so I wonder if there is a time out or a battery saver feature.

Thanks

If the light isn't blinking then this is usually an indication that the system is not armed. Have you tried to set it off to see if this is the case? Leave a window down, set it and reach in and open the door manually with your FOB far away.

jsf721 · 03-19-2025, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

If the light isn't blinking then this is usually an indication that the system is not armed. Have you tried to set it off to see if this is the case? Leave a window down, set it and reach in and open the door manually with your FOB far away.

Will try tonight when I get home -thanks

Qsilver7 · 03-20-2025, 08:13 AM

You don't have to have your fob far away if you follow Joe's instructions above...but you do have to wait approx 20-30 seconds AFTER locking the vehicle. The IMS (interior motion sensor) does a reference run after the car is locked that takes approx 20 seconds...this allows for anything inside the car like a box on the seat to be considered by the microwaves.

Once you stick your arm into the interior after the alarm has set and done its 20 second reference run...the interruption of those microwaves should set the alarm off.

But even before you do that, if the red status LED (below the interior rearview mirror) doesn't illuminate when you lock the car with the fob or with comfort access...the alarm system is NOT armed...so the test will automatically fail. MAKE SURE THE RED LED ILLUMINATES when you lock the car.

Joe-BMW33 · 03-20-2025, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

You don't have to have your fob far away if you follow Joe's instructions above...but you do have to wait approx 20-30 seconds AFTER locking the vehicle. The IMS (interior motion sensor) does a reference run after the car is locked that takes approx 20 seconds...this allows for anything inside the car like a box on the seat to be considered by the microwaves.

Once you stick your arm into the interior after the alarm has set and done its 20 second reference run...the interruption of those microwaves should set the alarm off.

But even before you do that, if the red status LED (below the interior rearview mirror) doesn't illuminate when you lock the car with the fob or with comfort access...the alarm system is NOT armed...so the test will automatically fail. MAKE SURE THE RED LED ILLUMINATES when you lock the car.

I think that is his issue Q, the red light is not illuminating when locked down. He is looking for pointers on troubleshooting. I figured it can't hurt to see if he can set the alarm off just to be sure the light is just not out.

Sonin66 · 03-21-2025, 04:33 PM

I noticed mine doesn't illuminate some times also. But I thought it was from me locking the car with the app vs locking it with fob or comfort access

jsf721 · 03-22-2025, 03:20 PM

So red light solved. I have not been driving the car since my blow out a few days ago. The road crews are out shoveling crap in the holes and I wanted to give them some time to get the roads in shape. I tested the alarm last night and it worked. Just no light. I drove the car a good while today. And upon returning home the light illuminates fine upon locking. I think (my guess) after days of not driving the car looks to save the battery and shuts the light. Either that or I have a battery issue. But no codes or warning and all good.

Thanks all for the reply’s.

Qsilver7 · 03-23-2025, 01:51 PM

Thanks for the update…good to hear things look to have worked themselves out.

03-18-2025, 11:37 PM	#1
jsf721 Captain 1166 Rep 935 Posts Drives: 2019 540i X M Sport Join Date: May 2019 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Red alarm light not flashing when locked I heard an alarm in my neighborhood tonight. Went to look at the cars. Lucky was not mine. Checked cameras and motion lights were not triggered. I did notice that my red alarm light was not blinking. I unlocked and re locked it and that worked but the red light was not blinking. Any ideas on what to check ? Is there a setting to check or a fuse. Anything else I’m missing. Last time I drove it was Sunday night so I wonder if there is a time out or a battery saver feature. Thanks Last edited by jsf721; 03-18-2025 at 11:38 PM..
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03-20-2025, 08:13 AM	#4
Qsilver7 Major General 5880 Rep 9,163 Posts Drives: F06 650ix GC / F15 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Indiana, USA iTrader: (0)	You don't have to have your fob far away if you follow Joe's instructions above...but you do have to wait approx 20-30 seconds AFTER locking the vehicle. The IMS (interior motion sensor) does a reference run after the car is locked that takes approx 20 seconds...this allows for anything inside the car like a box on the seat to be considered by the microwaves. Once you stick your arm into the interior after the alarm has set and done its 20 second reference run...the interruption of those microwaves should set the alarm off. But even before you do that, if the red status LED (below the interior rearview mirror) doesn't illuminate when you lock the car with the fob or with comfort access...the alarm system is NOT armed...so the test will automatically fail. MAKE SURE THE RED LED ILLUMINATES when you lock the car. Attached Images __________________ 2015 F06 650ix Gran Coupe`(Moonstone/Cohiba Brown)\| 2014 F15 X5 50i MSport (Space Gray/Mocha) Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral. Last edited by Qsilver7; 03-20-2025 at 08:20 AM..
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03-21-2025, 04:33 PM	#6
Sonin66 New Member 2 Rep 16 Posts Drives: F10 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Cleveland iTrader: (0)	I noticed mine doesn't illuminate some times also. But I thought it was from me locking the car with the app vs locking it with fob or comfort access
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03-22-2025, 03:20 PM	#7
jsf721 Captain 1166 Rep 935 Posts Drives: 2019 540i X M Sport Join Date: May 2019 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	So red light solved. I have not been driving the car since my blow out a few days ago. The road crews are out shoveling crap in the holes and I wanted to give them some time to get the roads in shape. I tested the alarm last night and it worked. Just no light. I drove the car a good while today. And upon returning home the light illuminates fine upon locking. I think (my guess) after days of not driving the car looks to save the battery and shuts the light. Either that or I have a battery issue. But no codes or warning and all good. Thanks all for the reply’s.
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03-23-2025, 01:51 PM	#8
Qsilver7 Major General 5880 Rep 9,163 Posts Drives: F06 650ix GC / F15 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Indiana, USA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the update…good to hear things look to have worked themselves out. __________________ 2015 F06 650ix Gran Coupe`(Moonstone/Cohiba Brown)\| 2014 F15 X5 50i MSport (Space Gray/Mocha) Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.
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