how to check if Keyless Entry was installed

[blankdisc]

I just bought a 98 328i sedan yesterday :lol: :lol:
the previous owner told me this car doesn't have keyless entry system installed, but when i looked into a whole bunch of manuals, i found a manual for the keyless entry system. now i am starting to wonder if it was actually installed by the first owner, he just doesn't know. or i am just totally paranoid.
So i am asking if anyone knows how to check if keyless entry system has been installed.
Thanks!
P.S. is it good or unnecessary to keep Traction Control activate all the time?

[dutchbmw]

Congrats with your new car!

You can look for infrared sensors or remove the glovebox. Behind that the keyless entry system is installed (in combination with an alarm). Can anyone agree with that because I'm not sure?

Keep Traction Control activate all the time, sett it off only when you want to make some donuts in a parking lot! :lol:

[007ben]

Most keyless are RF here in the US... Not sure about other countrys.

but checking behind the glovebox will be yer best bet.

[frank3]

Here's a link to one of the FAQs on how to remove glovebox:

Glovebox removal link

Also try :

Another glovebox removal link

[007ben]

Good idea frank....

[dutchbmw]

I forgot to say look at the FAQ forum for removing the glovebox............

[007ben]

good idea dutch.

[blankdisc]

you guys are great. Thank you all for the info.
i dont have much experience with car yet, and it's a BMW. so i think i will leave the glovebox alone for a while. :lol:
if anyone think of a way to check it without remove any parts (sounds impossible), please let me know

[frank3]

I had the same challenge w/my 94 325. Owner didn't know if alarm installed...but I had an alarm manual w/my car. First hint at there being an alarm installed was that there's a little red led right above the gear shift (which wouldn't be there if there were no alarm).

Not sure where they put it on the '98s though (if dash is the same, then it should be in the same place, which is in one of the plastic blanks right above gearshift that are used for heat warmer switches, etc.)

[CiscoKid]

you could probablly go to the dealer, and they will tell you by the vin#

[blankdisc]

yeah, i saw a red flash light also, and there are also stickers on the side windows which says "BMW security system".

[dutchbmw]

Then yes, there is an alarm installed!

[wulley1]

my car has the stickers that say "alarm installed". But I didn't get anything to arm or disarm an alarm when I bought the car. The car also didn't come with any manual. Do I have to take the glove box out to check? Where would the infared sensor be?

[dutchbmw]

You can also manually double lock the door. turn the key slowly to the right until the moment that the doors will be locked. Then turn the key further to the right until you can't get further. Now you hear a 2nd locking noise. This means the alarm is put 'on' now.

[frank3]

No IR sensors in US cars (i'm pretty sure) just uses rf (like a garage door opener).

Make sure the red flashing light you see isn't the one that's on the radio...that's a different red flashing light.

Here's what my light looks like: