4wd auto and car alarm

[blorbic]

Two questions about my 96 4.0 ohc sport.

1. On my dash I have the option of chosing 2wd, 4wd auto and 4wd low. I heard that its not good to drive in the 4wd high for long periods of time. Since I don't have that option I was wondering if it's bad to keep it in 4wd auto.

2. In the fall my alarm started acting up whenever its wet outside. When I set the alarm it goes off randomly, sometimes after 30-40 minutes or it waits a couple of hours and goes off in the middle of the night. I searched on here but I can't find anything about it, like were the sensors are located. Also is there a way to shut off the alarm until I get this fixed?

Many thanks

 

[blorbic]

Oh great internet please answer my questions. (aka bump)

 

[IZwack]

1. On my dash I have the option of chosing 2wd, 4wd auto and 4wd low. I heard that its not good to drive in the 4wd high for long periods of time. Since I don't have that option I was wondering if it's bad to keep it in 4wd auto.

On your vehicle, 4wd is the same as what most of us call 4Hi

 

[blorbic]

On your vehicle, 4wd is the same as what most of us call 4Hi

Thank you for the help. So that would mean I should not keep it in 4wd auto?

Also any idea about the alarm sensor location?

Again thanks for the help.

 

[TheJackal]

Explorer's don't come with a shock sensor alarm, it must be something aftermarket. What does the remote look like?

You could just lock the car with the button inside, and not use the remote for now. If the alarm has some type of passive arming feature, though, it may still arm itself later.

Try looking under the dash for any suspicious wiring. If it wasn't installed well, you may notice a fistfull of wires down there which could be suspect.

 

[blorbic]

Explorer's don't come with a shock sensor alarm, it must be something aftermarket. What does the remote look like?

You could just lock the car with the button inside, and not use the remote for now. If the alarm has some type of passive arming feature, though, it may still arm itself later.

Try looking under the dash for any suspicious wiring. If it wasn't installed well, you may notice a fistfull of wires down there which could be suspect.

I am pretty sure the alarm is stock. The reason I thought there was a sensor is because I set the alarm off by leaning on it, and when it got hit by a tennis ball.
So the alarm is only for the doors?

Right now I am just manually locking it from the inside so that the alarm stays off, but I really like using the keyless thing.

 

[Cobraguy]

Factory alarm monitors doors and hood. No shock sensor. It's possible something like the hood sensor has intermittant contact, but I'm suspecting that you have an aftermarket system that is utilizing the factory remotes. In fact, Ford offered one as a dealer installed option that has a shock sensor. I installed on on my wife's Aviator.

 

[TheJackal]

Yes, the Ford Powercode systems are available as a dealer-installed accessory. The remotes look similar to stock, but they are different. Can you post a picture of the remote?

 

[gijoecam]

On your vehicle, 4wd is the same as what most of us call 4Hi

Incorrect. On his truck, 4auto is, in fact, 4auto. It's 100% A-OK to drive around in 4auto at all times if you so choose to. In fact, the 97-01s default to 4auto and have no selection for 2wd.

It's NOT a good idea to drive in 4high on dry pavement. However, 4high is not an option on a 95 or 96.

-Joe

 

[IZwack]

Woops, sorry didnt even see the word 'auto' after.. i was thinking more of 2wd and hi/lo gearing.

 

[xdviper]

Factory alarm monitors doors and hood. No shock sensor. It's possible something like the hood sensor has intermittant contact, but I'm suspecting that you have an aftermarket system that is utilizing the factory remotes. In fact, Ford offered one as a dealer installed option that has a shock sensor. I installed on on my wife's Aviator.

I've been having the same problem also. I still have the stock factory alarm in there but whenever I get on the rear bumper and start jumping on it, it will trigger the alarm. I also lock my doors from inside now, just so it will not start screaming in middle of the night. I had to clean 3 eggs off the X because of that.

 

[blorbic]

Yes, the Ford Powercode systems are available as a dealer-installed accessory. The remotes look similar to stock, but they are different. Can you post a picture of the remote?

That's the same as what i have but mine looks more beat up.

Edit: Just saw an underhood picture of the same car as mine and I noticed that I am missing the fan shroud. Most of my driving is freeway, so I don't have to worry about temp. Do you think I should get one from a junkyard or leave it as it is? Also my fan has a crack in it should I replace that as well or wait for it to blow itself up?

 

[TheJackal]

That looks like the stock remote. Hmmm...