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Forget the CODE?

Joe Fahy <[email protected]> writes:

>        I read a recent post concerning the use of the CODE feature of the
>OBC to
>disable the fuel pump when changing the oil.  This would allow the engine oil
>system to be repressurized using the starter motor, but not allow the motor to
>start with little or no oil in the filter/galleys.  That is an ELEGANT
>solution,
>compared to grounding coil or other wiring intensive methods.
>
> I have considered using this feature full time as a theft deterrant, but I do
>have some concerns about how bullet proof the electronics are( how secure is
>this method and how easy is it for a thief to circumvent).  Also if I were to
>forget the code or if the electronics were reset, battery dies, how can you
>regain access to the car?

It is in the manual. I had to use it once after a movie. I am sure I put in
my usual code, locked the car and went to the movie. After movie, put in
code, tried to start car, no-go. Here it is for a 92 E36 325i, but is
probably the same for most OBC's with code.

If 3 incorrect inputs are made consecutively, or 3 attempts are made to
start the engine, an alarm sounds for 30 seconds. (horn and lights, nobody
bothered to check and see if I was stealing the car)

Emergency starting procedure if the code has been forgotton:

- - Disconnect and (after 5 minutes) reconnect the battery.
- - Turn ignition key to position 1, the alarm sounds and in the display the
time will run down to zero in 15 minutes.
- - After 15 minutes, the engine can be started.

The CODE system seems like overkill if you already have the BMW security
system. My 530i had both.

Ephraim Fithian     [email protected]
http://www.kutztown.edu/~fithian/
92 E36 325i 5-speed 80k,  97 E39 528i 5-speed 1k.
Previous 78 530i 5-speed 192k, 84 318i 5-speed 18k,
85 535i 5-speed 117k, 95 530i 5-speed 24k.
BMWCCA 14040, NMA member, Macintosh user.