Why would "THEFT" light stay on?

Phili602 · 04-10-2012, 05:10 PM

I have a 1998 XLT Explorer and whenever I press the lock button on either the remote or the door to lock the doors, the THEFT light stays on and flashes brighter and its causing my battery to drain. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks

NHarris · 04-10-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phili602

I have a 1998 XLT Explorer and whenever I press the lock button on either the remote or the door to lock the doors, the THEFT light stays on and flashes brighter and its causing my battery to drain. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks

Based off of my assumption (on my 98), all second gens have the theft light that flashes.
Let's specify here...
Is it causing your battery to completely lose charge, or just drain it slightly?

Phili602 · 04-10-2012, 05:57 PM

Well my battery was fine until i came out after leaving it sitting for a few days and it didnt want to start.... The theft light flashes on and off even when the doors are unlocked, but when i press the door lock button on either the door or remote, the theft light stays illuminated and just flashes brighter even though its already lit

NHarris · 04-10-2012, 06:13 PM

Did you get your battery tested?
The ECU, radio, and whatever other electronics also are using power to stay on. I'll have to take a look at my X and see what its theft light is doin.

Phili602 · 04-10-2012, 09:14 PM

Yes i got my battery tested. 1st time was at a oreilly and they said it was no good. But I think the oreilly i went to is shady because I took the same battery to autozone and they said its good and fully charged it for me. 1 of the cells on the battery were low so I just added some distilled water and it seems to be keeping its charge but havent put it back in the x because I dont want it to drain it again. My previous x had the theft light and it would flash all the time weather the doors were locked or not. and it wouldnt stay lit and flash like this 1 is doing.

Phili602 · 04-13-2012, 03:41 PM

Any suggestions on what could be causing the theft light to stay on at all times? How could i disconnect that light so it doesnt drain my battery?

Trolling · 04-13-2012, 04:10 PM

for the past few occasions that [I] had my instrument cluster all apart, my theft light bulb has been a tiny red LED. Even with that left on for a week, it can't drain a car battery dry.

Maybe there is something else draining your battery?

**IZwack** · 04-13-2012, 05:26 PM

If it's blinking super fast and you hear a relay clicking at the same rate, then this usually means that the battery voltage is too low. If the battery is ~3-ish years old, then it's probably time to replace it. Another culprit could be of course the alternator not charging the batt.

Phili602 · 04-13-2012, 07:44 PM

It may be another issue then besides the light

04-10-2012, 05:10 PM	#1
Phili602 Wannabe Elite Explorer Phoenix 96 Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 47 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Why would "THEFT" light stay on? I have a 1998 XLT Explorer and whenever I press the lock button on either the remote or the door to lock the doors, the THEFT light stays on and flashes brighter and its causing my battery to drain. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks

04-10-2012, 06:13 PM	#4
NHarris Wannabe Elite Explorer Ogden, UT 1998 XLT V6 Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,477 Vehicle Specs	Did you get your battery tested? The ECU, radio, and whatever other electronics also are using power to stay on. I'll have to take a look at my X and see what its theft light is doin. __________________ Nate H 1998 Ford Explorer XLT 4.SLOW Restoration Project - OEM Restoration with larger than stock tires. 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - 3.5" Lift, Quick Disconnects, Rear Locker, Mopar Off Road Package, Gray Moab Wheels, Differential Skid Plates, and much more!

04-13-2012, 04:10 PM	#7
Trolling Wannabe Elite Explorer kah-lee-fur-nyah 1997 Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 227 Vehicle Specs	for the past few occasions that [I] had my instrument cluster all apart, my theft light bulb has been a tiny red LED. Even with that left on for a week, it can't drain a car battery dry. Maybe there is something else draining your battery? __________________ 302 V8, BW4406, K&N CAI, 1" Phenolic spacer, TMH, Henson Custom Tune and a ticking noise problem.

04-13-2012, 05:26 PM	#8
IZwack Germantown, MD Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 22,381 Vehicle Specs	If it's blinking super fast and you hear a relay clicking at the same rate, then this usually means that the battery voltage is too low. If the battery is ~3-ish years old, then it's probably time to replace it. Another culprit could be of course the alternator not charging the batt. __________________ »»»»»...how'd the moon get there, how'd the moon get there?

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04-10-2012, 05:57 PM	#3
Phili602 Wannabe Elite Explorer Phoenix 96 Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 47 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Well my battery was fine until i came out after leaving it sitting for a few days and it didnt want to start.... The theft light flashes on and off even when the doors are unlocked, but when i press the door lock button on either the door or remote, the theft light stays illuminated and just flashes brighter even though its already lit

04-10-2012, 09:14 PM	#5
Phili602 Wannabe Elite Explorer Phoenix 96 Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 47 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Yes i got my battery tested. 1st time was at a oreilly and they said it was no good. But I think the oreilly i went to is shady because I took the same battery to autozone and they said its good and fully charged it for me. 1 of the cells on the battery were low so I just added some distilled water and it seems to be keeping its charge but havent put it back in the x because I dont want it to drain it again. My previous x had the theft light and it would flash all the time weather the doors were locked or not. and it wouldnt stay lit and flash like this 1 is doing.

04-13-2012, 03:41 PM	#6
Phili602 Wannabe Elite Explorer Phoenix 96 Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 47 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Any suggestions on what could be causing the theft light to stay on at all times? How could i disconnect that light so it doesnt drain my battery?

04-13-2012, 07:44 PM	#9
Phili602 Wannabe Elite Explorer Phoenix 96 Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 47 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	It may be another issue then besides the light