How to Dsiable Factory Anti Theft System on a 98

Rob&Robby · 03-18-2010, 02:01 PM

I just picked up my 1998 explorer a few hours ago, and have already run into my first problem.... The factory anti theft/starter disable system was activated somehow, and I couldn't start the car because the key doesn't work in the drivers door.... I think something is just misaligned inside the door, because I cant even manually push the door lock knob down from the inside... I will pull it apart and check it out, but how can I permamently disable that system so it doesnt happen again?? The car finally did start, somehow... not sure what happened.

Also, the car did not come with remote key fobs to lock and unlock the doors, but it has power locks.... Do all 98 explorers have the remote lock/unlock function??? If I just buy the remotes, will they work, or is it possible I got one that doesn't have that feature??

Thanks
Rob

sho-n-tell · 03-18-2010, 02:23 PM

i have the exact same problem with my 2000. but once in a blue moon the drivers door would be locked when i went to get into the x the next day? i also have a astroflex box under my dash, think its a aftermarket alarm/remote start...thats what i thought the problem was. i'll be waiting with you to see what comes up.

Rob&Robby · 03-18-2010, 04:28 PM

I just disassembled the door panel and found that the wires going to the door lock key cylinder were disconnected, as well as the ones going to the door lock latching assembly.... Also, there is a lever coming up from the bottom somewhere that is loose, and when you try to manually pull or push the door lock knob inside, it is hitting the tumbler on the inside of the door. That is what was preventing me from manually locking it. I don't know what that rod goes to, but it is disconnected as well. I plugged all the wires back in, but that still didn't make it work from the drivers door lock switch.. However, now I can manually lock it. The key still doesn't work... Can I get that tumbler rekeyed to work with my existing key??

While the door panel was off, I tested the current, and it doesnt seem that the door lock switch is getting power, but the window switches are, and they all work.

I have called it a day, and will mess with it more this weekend. In the meantime, any insight on disabling the factory anti theft/starter disable function??

budwich · 03-18-2010, 05:39 PM

i am not sure but I don't believe that the "anti-theft" system has any direct relationship to your door lock. It has a "relationship" with your ignition switch only.... so IF your key works in the ignition (and the theft light goes out) then your system should be "happy".

Rob&Robby · 03-18-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budwich

i am not sure but I don't believe that the "anti-theft" system has any direct relationship to your door lock. It has a "relationship" with your ignition switch only.... so IF your key works in the ignition (and the theft light goes out) then your system should be "happy".

When the factory anti theft system goes off, you disengage it by unlocking the drivers side door with the key... Then you can start the car again. As I mentioned, the key doesn't work in the drivers door..... Therefore, I couldn't start the car, as the starter was disabled via the anti theft system. Eventually the car started, but not sure how the anti theft reset itself...

shane0613 · 03-24-2010, 08:55 PM

My passenger door would not open. Today I finally got it opened. The rod running to the key mechanism was disconnected and jamming towards the rear of the door. I got the rod unjammed reconnected it and it jammed again. So I took it out. The door now opens, but it won't lock. So now the anti-theft system will not go off no matter what I do (other than pressing the alarm button on the remote).

reganlea · 05-10-2010, 02:35 AM

I some how busted the chip in my key so now i cant start my 98 explorer because it needs that chip. however i dont have the money to buy another one. so can some one please help me turn off the anti theft system so i can start my truck??!?? need answer as soon as possible thanx!

LadyJ007 · 09-23-2010, 10:48 AM

Yep..I have the same problem..my truck is parked in another neighborhood..It was fine and when I came out..the anti-theft wouldn't stop flashing. Called the dealer this a.m...told me to have it towed...NO WAY..maybe to my house but not to them for a million bucks!

dav5 · 05-25-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob&Robby

I just picked up my 1998 explorer a few hours ago, and have already run into my first problem.... The factory anti theft/starter disable system was activated somehow, and I couldn't start the car because the key doesn't work in the drivers door.... I think something is just misaligned inside the door, because I cant even manually push the door lock knob down from the inside... I will pull it apart and check it out, but how can I permamently disable that system so it doesnt happen again?? The car finally did start, somehow... not sure what happened.

Also, the car did not come with remote key fobs to lock and unlock the doors, but it has power locks.... Do all 98 explorers have the remote lock/unlock function??? If I just buy the remotes, will they work, or is it possible I got one that doesn't have that feature??

Thanks
Rob

03-18-2010, 02:01 PM	#1
Rob&Robby Wannabe Elite Explorer ORLANDO, FL 1998 EXPLORER 4x4 OHV V6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 35 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	How to Dsiable Factory Anti Theft System on a 98 I just picked up my 1998 explorer a few hours ago, and have already run into my first problem.... The factory anti theft/starter disable system was activated somehow, and I couldn't start the car because the key doesn't work in the drivers door.... I think something is just misaligned inside the door, because I cant even manually push the door lock knob down from the inside... I will pull it apart and check it out, but how can I permamently disable that system so it doesnt happen again?? The car finally did start, somehow... not sure what happened. Also, the car did not come with remote key fobs to lock and unlock the doors, but it has power locks.... Do all 98 explorers have the remote lock/unlock function??? If I just buy the remotes, will they work, or is it possible I got one that doesn't have that feature?? Thanks Rob

03-18-2010, 04:28 PM	#3
Rob&Robby Wannabe Elite Explorer ORLANDO, FL 1998 EXPLORER 4x4 OHV V6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 35 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Disabling factory anti theft / starter disable system I just disassembled the door panel and found that the wires going to the door lock key cylinder were disconnected, as well as the ones going to the door lock latching assembly.... Also, there is a lever coming up from the bottom somewhere that is loose, and when you try to manually pull or push the door lock knob inside, it is hitting the tumbler on the inside of the door. That is what was preventing me from manually locking it. I don't know what that rod goes to, but it is disconnected as well. I plugged all the wires back in, but that still didn't make it work from the drivers door lock switch.. However, now I can manually lock it. The key still doesn't work... Can I get that tumbler rekeyed to work with my existing key?? While the door panel was off, I tested the current, and it doesnt seem that the door lock switch is getting power, but the window switches are, and they all work. I have called it a day, and will mess with it more this weekend. In the meantime, any insight on disabling the factory anti theft/starter disable function??

09-23-2010, 10:48 AM	#8
LadyJ007 Wannabe Elite Explorer Memphis,TN 98 XLT Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 8 Vehicle Specs	Anti-Theft Yep..I have the same problem..my truck is parked in another neighborhood..It was fine and when I came out..the anti-theft wouldn't stop flashing. Called the dealer this a.m...told me to have it towed...NO WAY..maybe to my house but not to them for a million bucks!

03-18-2010, 02:23 PM	#2
sho-n-tell Wannabe Elite Explorer da pines,nc '00 limited Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs	i have the exact same problem with my 2000. but once in a blue moon the drivers door would be locked when i went to get into the x the next day? i also have a astroflex box under my dash, think its a aftermarket alarm/remote start...thats what i thought the problem was. i'll be waiting with you to see what comes up.

03-18-2010, 05:39 PM	#4
budwich Wannabe Elite Explorer Ottawa, Ont 96 XL Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3,246 Vehicle Specs	i am not sure but I don't believe that the "anti-theft" system has any direct relationship to your door lock. It has a "relationship" with your ignition switch only.... so IF your key works in the ignition (and the theft light goes out) then your system should be "happy".

03-24-2010, 08:55 PM	#6
shane0613 Wannabe Elite Explorer south carolina 1998 5.0 V8 AWD XLT Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 12 Vehicle Specs	My passenger door would not open. Today I finally got it opened. The rod running to the key mechanism was disconnected and jamming towards the rear of the door. I got the rod unjammed reconnected it and it jammed again. So I took it out. The door now opens, but it won't lock. So now the anti-theft system will not go off no matter what I do (other than pressing the alarm button on the remote).

05-10-2010, 02:35 AM	#7
reganlea Wannabe Elite Explorer springfield `98 Explorer Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs	I some how busted the chip in my key so now i cant start my 98 explorer because it needs that chip. however i dont have the money to buy another one. so can some one please help me turn off the anti theft system so i can start my truck??!?? need answer as soon as possible thanx!