What does this do (alarm "tell-tale", I think)

[John_B]

I am considering replacing the rear switch panel on my pre-facelift 2.8 with a little hardwired USB panel. The only 'thing' in the panel at the moment is what I understand to be the alarm tell-tale (65758357417). Logic would suggest that this is a light which should flash when the alarm is armed? Or has been triggered? Or something else? Either way, in 2yrs and 3 different Z3s I don't think I have ever seen any of them do anything!!

Please can anyone tell me what this does and whether tucking it beneath the trim (still connected) or removing it completely will cause me any future headaches? (I don't have any free slots in the front switch section to reposition it)

thanks all

 

[Eddie Zedder]

You are correct, it flashes when the alarm is set. It will be ok leaving it connected and putting it under the trim.

 

[Mike Fishwick]

It will also tell if the internal and tilt alarm sensors have been disabled by pressing the key fob for a few seconds after enabling the alarm, in which case the LED will be steady for a short while - as per the owners handbook - which you can probably access on line. This facility is handy of leaving the car with the roof down and while on car ferries, also as it is visible it may also deter a casual thief. Hiding the LED is the type of thing which UK insurers use to reduce a claim for contents or worse. I would prefer to fit a USB socket of two inside the ashtray, or use the cigar lighter.

 

[John_B]

It will also tell if the internal and tilt alarm sensors have been disabled by pressing the key fob for a few seconds after enabling the alarm, in which case the LED will be steady for a short while - as per the owners handbook - which you can probably access on line. This facility is handy of leaving the car with the roof down and while on car ferries, also as it is visible it may also deter a casual thief. Hiding the LED is the type of thing which UK insurers use to reduce a claim for contents or worse. I would prefer to fit a USB socket of two inside the ashtray, or use the cigar lighter.

Thanks Mike, that is a good point about the insurance!

 

[John_B]

Hiding the LED is the type of thing which UK insurers use to reduce a claim for contents or worse.

Problem solved!