After 5 years of just OK sounds in my Z3 (2001, 3.0L, 5-speed, Black/Tan, M-sport upgrade, 85k miles) I have just finished a new stereo install. I built a custom sub enclosure for the 8" JL 3W3 sub and used Hertz speakers for the front and rear. I ran all of this with a Pioneer AVH3500NEX with a 7" flip out touch screen and a Kenwood XR901-5. Everything works as advertised and sounds much better. The only problem is that now if I lock the car with the key fob after about 10-15 seconds the alarm goes off. The key fob unlock stops it. I can lock the car with the key and this doesn't happen. I am wondering if removing the stock Business CD radio causes this or if maybe bypassing the parking brake with a relay. Has any of you had the same issue and, if so, how did you resolve it? Thanks.
2001 Z3 stereo install
- Thread starter Joe A
- Start date
I'm pretty certain the head unit aperture has an anti-theft switch. That said I can't say I've ever noticed it myself.
So I would guess in replacing the head unit you have compromised it in some way. I'll have a look on some wiring diagrams when I have a minute.
Locking the car with the key does not set the alarm which accounts for that behaviour.
So I would guess in replacing the head unit you have compromised it in some way. I'll have a look on some wiring diagrams when I have a minute.
Locking the car with the key does not set the alarm which accounts for that behaviour.
X539 in this photo showing head unit aperture with head unit removed.
Hi and welcome from London
Hi, welcome from Mansfield 
I’ve done several of these custom stereo installs. All with aftermarket head units, custom subs, updated speakers & amps. Along with new cabling throughout.
Never had a problem with OEM or aftermarket alarms.
Think your problem lies elsewhere. Would start with the battery and alternator.
I’ve done several of these custom stereo installs. All with aftermarket head units, custom subs, updated speakers & amps. Along with new cabling throughout.
Never had a problem with OEM or aftermarket alarms.
Think your problem lies elsewhere. Would start with the battery and alternator.
Could be a simple coincidence but, ........ is the trunk light staying on? Easy to check using your mobile phone set on video and close the trunk. There are simpler ways of by-passing the parking brake feed for the video screen.
Tony.
Tony.
Now that you mention it, I think I read that you have to disconnect the anti-theft switch or it will do exactly what mine is doing. I thought I had done that but it appears that maybe not. I will check it tomorrow. Thanks for the assistance.
Funny you should mention the battery. I left the trunk lid up while installing the amp and didn't close it all of the way and 3 days later when I got back to it the battery was completely dead. I took it to Autozone to get a new one. They checked it and it showed good but needing charged so I put it on the charger at 2 amps for a couple of hours and then 15 amps until it auto charged full. Works fine now.Hi, welcome from Mansfield
I’ve done several of these custom stereo installs. All with aftermarket head units, custom subs, updated speakers & amps. Along with new cabling throughout.
Never had a problem with OEM or aftermarket alarms.
Think your problem lies elsewhere. Would start with the battery and alternator.