Keyless entry fails to function

[WilliamK1974]

Hey everyone,

The car in question is a 1991 318is that I bought a couple of months ago. Been a great car so far.

I bought it from a friend, and he'd installed an aftermarket keyless entry system. I'm not sure about the brand or model name, but the keyfob says the following on the back:
ATV FCC ID: L2MK9310 Omega R&D Inc, 401"
It's a two-button fob, with the small button serving to lock the doors and a large button that unlocks. The trunk also locks and unlocks in response to this. There is no alarm function. Just keyless entry.

A couple of days ago, I walked off and left the headlights on, and ran the battery down. I got a jump, drove home, and hooked the battery up to a 2-amp charger overnight. I left it installed in the car while charging.

The next morning, the charger indicated the battery was fully charged, and the car fired right up. But it wouldn't respond to the keyless entry fob. I have two of them, and neither one got a reaction.

Did running the battery down erase some kind of programming in that unit, or even kill it?

Frankly, I'd almost rather remove it and just lock/unlock the car using the trunk lock. I'm just not sure where to look for any modules to remove. My friend says that keyless entry is really easy to install on these cars because they're pre-wired for it, but once again, I've never done it before and don't know what to look for.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you,
-Bill
1991 BMW 318is Brilliantrot, "Greta"

[YetiX]

Keyless entry is indeed easy to install on these cars, but they are NOT pre-wired for it.  I love the convenience of mine but I know there are others on here who don't like it.

I have no idea why yours no longer works.  Maybe you need to re-"synch" the fob with the in-car unit.  If you can find out what brand and model it is, you should be able to find instructions on-line.

[romeomike]

From http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/jettatech/alarmtext.htm

Tips for programming the unit - its confusing... so here;

1 - press and hold the little button on the "box" for 2 seconds - you can press this with a small pen tip. A red LED will light up and it will beep 4 times.
2 - Let go of the switch.
3 - Press Button 1 (larger one) on the remote, this is OUTPUT 1.
4 - the unit will flash.
5 - Press Button 2 (smaller one) on the remote, this is OUTPUT 2.
6 - the unit will flash twice.
7 - Wait 20 seconds, forget about the 2nd transmitter for now.
8 - It should work, button 1 is lock, button 2 is unlock. To unlock you press... wait... press... car unlocks.

You need to have the key OFF and out of the IGN when you program it!



When I put this unit in, I installed it in the rear battery box and wired it into the trunk lock. If your installation has a fuse in line with your 12v power source, ensure that's not blown.

Hope this helps and adios for now,

RM

[longtallsally]

Yeti was undoubtedly referring to me.  

Rip the darn thing out.  It will do nothing but cause problems and gremlins and drive you bananas.  I am very firmly of the belief that unless you spend the value of your car in an installation of an alarm or the like, you will mess up the electrical systems.  I've yet to see or hear of an 80s vintage German car that over time does not develop some sort of gremlin that can be invariably traced back to an alarm or the like.

[YetiX]

Yeti was undoubtedly referring to me.  

Rip the darn thing out.  It will do nothing but cause problems and gremlins and drive you bananas.  I am very firmly of the belief that unless you spend the value of your car in an installation of an alarm or the like, you will mess up the electrical systems.  I've yet to see or hear of an 80s vintage German car that over time does not develop some sort of gremlin that can be invariably traced back to an alarm or the like.

Who me??!! :confused: :p

I agree that alarms cause more problems, especially when they involve some sort of ignition cut-out/disabler.  But keyless entry?  Me thinks the Tall one doth protesteth too much.

[WilliamK1974]

Sorry to be so long in replying. It ended up being an issue like what romeomike said. The fobs needed to be paired, and that's how it was done.
The gadget's surprisingly inexpensive and worked fine till I ran the battery down.
Thanks to all those who replied to this.
-Bill