Forget the CODE?
from BMW Digest
by Ephraim Fithian & Joe Fahy
Gesundheit, June 1997
St Louis BMW Club
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 deterrent, 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 it 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, and 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 forgotten: