Yesterday on a busy parking lot, my panic alarm went off unexpectedly. I know I did it, but the way it happened surprised me. I held the trunk release button down for the one thousand count and released it. The trunk did not open, so I assumed I had not held it long enough. When I went for the second press of the button, before I got through the one thousand count, the alarm went off unexpectedly. I got it shut down OK, but it is not something that I want to happen again.

In retrospect, I wonder if the remote was still hanging on to the first press when I made the second, and it added the two of them together and interpreted it as a two second drill? Anyone with a similar experience or advice.

I had this happen to me as well. I think the issue is that the trunk doesn't open until you let go of the button. I was holding the button down waiting for the trunk to open when the alarm went off. Try holding it for a half second or so, then let go. The trunk will then pop open.

james

This happens to me as well. There's a bit more to it than holding it down and letting go. I haven't done too many tests but it's clear to me that this is another little software bug.

Sometimes the trunk will pop right up, sometimes it won't. I think they need to add some additional delay to the panic alarm activation.

I agree that something needs to be done. The delay in the garage opener/closer is annoying, too. I want to be out of there and we have to hold the button, can't just punch it. That panic button may be a catch-22. If you have to hold it too long, you could lose the strategic timing if a true need for a panic alarm ever came along, 'specially for our ladies.

All of these buttons - panic, garage opener, etc. are likely going through a processor rather than the direct switches that we were accustomed to with the E39.

What's this about a panic alarm ?
I never even knew my key could be used in that fashion...

Not sure about the UK but here in the US, it is a standard feature and is probably part of the alarm system.

You simply hold down the trunk release button on the key and the alarm will sound.

The best use for this feature is to help find you car in a crowded lot! The only problem is you need to be fairly close to the car to have it work.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

If you hold down the trunk release on the key for two seconds, you will need ear protection. I recommend Peltors. :D

Like a good shooter should!

Add me to the list of those who have had the "trunk panic attack"...

Agree that this is a bit annoying, because now I fear setting off the panic alarm whenever I open the trunk...

Like a good shooter should! [/quote]
Problem is, Rudy, my Peltors are always INSIDE the trunk!

My does this periodically as well.

One-one-thousand-release is plenty for the trunk and not enough for the alarm. So far, it only happened to me at the dealer before I knew the button needed to be released before the trunk would open. I'm sure this is going to happen a lot because it's sort of counter-intuitive to have to let go of the button. People are going to push and wait for the trunk to open, which will hurt some ears!

Sam

I won't swear by it without further testing but I think the one-one-thousand and release method doesn't work consistently.

I think I've seen the trunk opener work differently depending on whether or not the car is in sleep mode or not.

And I think that if it fails to open and you press it again too quickly, you may get cumulative timing from the first press and BINGO.

I've set it off twice....first time I didn't know what I was doing...then 4 months later, I "thought" I knew what I was doing and set it off anyway. I agree the "one-one thousand rule works. I don't know what I did wrong the last time...but it sure is loud! :o

Great !

I leave for work at 2.30 am, my neighbours will be so pleased :lol:

Right after I posted this, I needed something from my trunk and accidentally set the alarm off! WTF? Rudy has a great point about it not working the exact same way all the time depending on what state the car's in. I wonder if maybe a quick click of the button to 'wake up' the car followed by the one-second press/release might work consistently.

Sam

After posting my reply earlier, I started playing around with this, and you guys are right. It's not consistant. I've given up, and just open the trunk with the little button on the back of the trunk.

No use in scarring myself into needing new underwear!!! :P

james

I've pretty much done the same thing. If the trunk doesn't pop up on my first attempt, I usually decide to simply unlock the car and use the handle switch on the trunk itself.

I think JDN is also correct that if you press and let go then press again, the car "sees" a single, extended press which will activate the panic feature.

I have to believe that sooner or later BMW will address this in software so I'm not too concerned about it at this point.

The phantom of the panic alarm struck again yesterday, totally different this time. The car was in deep sleep mode and locked. I just wanted in the trunk, but the button on the key would not open the trunk. I tried three times without setting off the panic. So, I stuck the key in the slot, turned to the left unlock position, and BINGO, I was in Panic City. I quickly stopped it, retrieved my item, and closed the trunk. Upon closing the trunk I got the lock chirp that you normally get when you press the lock button.

Weird!

After having the alarm go off a few times, I just make sure that the car is unlocked/disarmed to begin with.

Here's a few more observations I've noticed with regard to this problem:

When the trunk doesn't open after a remote unlock keypress, it's clear that the car is receiving the signal because the car wakes up from sleep.

What's interesting is that when you start the car (after an unsuccessful attempt to open the trunk, some sort of "key remote" message flashes quickly in the HUD (but also on the check display, I think).

I realize this information isn't really helpful for us to solve the problem, I'm just curious if anyone else has seen these symptoms.

Hopefully this fix is "on the list" of fixes for version 12!