need help from those w/turbo timers...

jderry · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2002, 08:41 AM

I was wondering what aftermarket alarm system are you using with your vehicle, and how are you using it considering the turbo timer keeps the car on for "x" amount of seconds/minutes?

I would like something with:

1) starter kill
2) motion sensors (e.g., if the car is towed)
3) dual-stage motion/shock sensors (for the exterior and interior of the vehicle)
4) something that will rollup my windows AND close my sunroof

I don't want the system arming AFTER the turbo timer turns off b/c there is that period where the car is running without protection. I would want something that I can actively arm -- rather than a passive arming system.

For instance, say I am at a grocery store, I am not going to stand there and wait for the turbo timer to go off for me to arm the system, I would like to get out, close the door and arm the system, that way, if someone jumps into the car and attempts to drive it while the car is still on ... the alarm will go off

TIA

BMWGuy206 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2002, 12:02 PM

James,

Dont forget that when your key is removed the steering wheel is locked! It would take a theif about 20mins or more to rip or completely destroy the steering lock housing (try making that not obvious). Plus when the timer goes off he has no way to start the vehicle. You can also wire the turbo timer to your e-brake so that if the e-brake is ever placed down, the engine shuts off.

I dont have an alarm on my M3 but I know some people with factory alarms have to wait till the engine shuts down to arm the vehicle.

hellrotZcoupe · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2002, 01:53 PM

Aight dont hold me to this. but here is what i know.

On my turbo integra i had a greddy turbo timer and it had an e brake kill switch, basically it was wired into the ebrake and when u release it the car would shut off even if the timer was running. This kept the car from being driven because the timer was on with the ebrake up, therefor to drive it u have to lower the ebrake thus shutting the car off, i dont know how all this BMW turbo stuff works because im new to this but im sure with all the money you guys pay for this stuff it is equal if not better than what was on my integra.

JJ

M3Turboca · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2002, 02:02 PM

My car is a OBD I and I have a older baisc Clifford alarm with a Greddy turbo timer.

The alarm has a basic shock detector and starter disable once the alarm is armed.

Once I take the key out of the ignition I can arm the car while it is running and it will locks the doors like normal.

Once the hand brake is let down the car will shut off.

Not sure how the OBD II with the key code would work when you remove it though.

BMWGuy206 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2002, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Not sure how the OBD II with the key code would work when you remove it though.

Mark,

The EWS control unit doesnt need to see the code in the key fob once the key is removed or when the engine is running. The code is only read when starting to enable the starter, fuel injection, and ignition.

LastCat · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2002, 06:02 PM

Just about how long does the engine run, after you have parked the car?

Thanks
LC

ESP · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 01:15 AM

Most any aftermarket alarm will work with the car running. You can find some more advanced alarms that have shock/motion sensors that will delay long enough for the car to stop running.

Find a competent Car Stereo/Alarm shop and they should be able to steer you right.

BTW you should never leave a BMW in a Grocery Store Parking Lot, unless you can not see the physical store from where you are parked

jderry · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 04:34 AM

I have used UNGO, VIPER, CLIFFORD, and ALPINE all before. I DO NOT have the timer hooked into the ebrake. Can someone explain to me how I can go about doing this -- it is a greddy turbo timer. Can I just purchase the needed materials from radio shack, or, will I need to purchase a special harness unit?

My timer is currently set for 70 seconds. The problem is -- I park my car underneath in the garage in my apartment complex -- there have been a rash of burglaries and thefts recently. Sometimes I come home at 3:00 a.m. -- sometimes when I grocery shopping this worries me also. I don't park 9 miles away from everyone, I will park next to anything for the most part. I've found that if you park farther away trying to "protect" the vehicle from door dings, those people's cars usually end up getting messed with even more than if you just park with everyone else.

Mark -- my car received the OBD-I conversion, does this affect the factory alarm that is on there now then?

BMWguy -- thanks, I forgot the steering wheel locked.

I don't have a stereo system in my car (stock H/K system) -- it's just the fact it'll give me more piece of mind. The only reason why I am thinking about this is that a couple of weeks ago, I was in a grocery store, and I got out of the car and was walking into the store and turned around. I saw a group of 4 individuals, maybe admiring the car but all were crowded around it. A car running by itself......poses to me, temptation to some people....and right now, without glass breakage sensors and shock sensors....I'm a little worried.

If you guys have any SPECIFIC recommendations, e.g., specific MAKES and models of alarms that work particularly well with the bimmers..., please give them to me. I'll probably be purchasing one this week. I know some alarm systems are easier to install with certain cars than others.... the Viper system installed in a Lexus is a BITCH to work with....I speak from experience....

Thanks again,

James

TURBOCAR · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 07:52 AM

i know on my alarm (avital phoenix) you can set it to active or passive arming..

in active arming as soon as u hit the arm button its armed, but in passive arming it delays 30 seconds before it arms.

so then youd have 30 seconds i know its not 70.

now have you ever thought of the problem of if it arms, while the eninge is running, when the engine stops it might set off the alarm??

well luckily my alarm waits about another 30 seconds after it passive arms for the sensors to work good..

so try that.

surely in that 30 seconds you wont be all the way in the door yet. just turn your head and look when you go in the door. if you see someone hopping in hit the panic button or something.. hehe

M3Turboca · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2002, 02:49 PM

All you have to do is connect one more wire to the park brake handle.

You do not need any additional harness to do this.

Just make sure that your shock detector is not too sensitive that when the motor is being shut off it does not trigger it.

The timer you can set to run for any time and it will not affect the alarm when you leave the car running and arm it. There is no need to have the alarm have any delay in arming.

Go to brake switch.

http://www.greddy.com/Technical/TurboTimer_Frame.htm

Hope this helps.