98 E36 Alarm works and doesn't?

[GearHeadPeter]

Hi All,

I have a 98 BMW 328i with the factory Alarm with 2 button remote fobs, and just recently the remotes stopped opening or arming the alarm. Thinking that the battery in the fob was the cause I changed it and entered the programming mode, and the key fob again would work correctly. However if I leave the car for awhile, about 15-30 minutes the fob will not open the door, and when the either button the fob is depressed sometimes the fob indicator light will stay on and then go out. I also tried the other fob with the same results.

Thinking that perhaps the car battery was at fault, it was 7 years old, I changed it this past weekend. I did the reprogramming thing again for both fobs, and thought everything is now fixed. Unfortunately, it still does the same thing. If I drive the car and go somewhere the fob will lock the door, most of the time, but coming back even 15 minutes later the fob will not open the door. I can go around the car pushing the unlock button on the fob, and it will finally open the doors, but only on the passenger side where the alarm is.

I have done as much trouble shooting as I know, and hopefully someone will have an answer that will correct this strange occurrence.

Thanks,
GearHeadPeter