'96 Exp Starter Lockout bypass?

[JTH1972]

Hey all,

Well, I'm kind of at my wits end on this one. I've posted about this one in the past without much luck so here's the last shot.

Long story... long: I lost the original FOB for the Exp. Now, this one has the factory security, which I thought was an immobilizer, but it's actually just a starter bypass that you need the FOB to activate, and then you can use the key to start the vehicle. I did buy replacement FOB's but for the life of me (and trying a dozen different methods) I can't get it to go into a programming mode to try to get the FOB's to synch to the vehicle (it's not a PATS system so please don't tell me the programming method for that). So if nobody else has had a similar problem and a trick that I haven't tried yet, is there a simple way to bypass the starter bypass? My only other thought is to install a switch inside the cab that runs from the battery to the starter relay and start the vehicle that way.

Thanks

 

[96eb96]

You shouldn't need the fob. Each switch and latch is wired to the computer. If you can open the door with a key, it is the same effect as pressing the button. My FOB batteries were dead for weeks and had no problem using the truck. I also have the keypad, so either that or just using the key.

I'm not sure if the security unit has a wire that enables the PCM. I don't have the wiring diagrams but I don't think it interrupts the starter. It would just keep the pcm from sending fuel and spark.

 

[Mbrooks420]

That’s an add on item. I’d remove it entirely. There’s probably a reset button under the dash somewhere.

 

[96eb96]

That’s an add on item. I’d remove it entirely. There’s probably a reset button under the dash somewhere.

Add on or factory? I know there were different options (e.g. you could get just security without the keypad on the door). An XL trim maybe has the aftermarket "Factory" Ford Alarm?

 

[Mbrooks420]

I thought it was a dealer add on. I could be wrong. My 96 didn’t have any kind of immobilization.

 

[JTH1972]

You shouldn't need the fob. Each switch and latch is wired to the computer. If you can open the door with a key, it is the same effect as pressing the button. My FOB batteries were dead for weeks and had no problem using the truck. I also have the keypad, so either that or just using the key.

I'm not sure if the security unit has a wire that enables the PCM. I don't have the wiring diagrams but I don't think it interrupts the starter. It would just keep the pcm from sending fuel and spark.

As long as I've owned this, I can't get it started without first hitting the unlock button on the FOB. To start it now I have to have the key on, then use a jumper wire from the battery to the starter solenoid. If I don't use the FOB, it won't start.

 

[JTH1972]

Add on or factory? I know there were different options (e.g. you could get just security without the keypad on the door). An XL trim maybe has the aftermarket "Factory" Ford Alarm?

factory, There's a Ford Factory Security sticker on the window.

 

[JTH1972]

I thought it was a dealer add on. I could be wrong. My 96 didn’t have any kind of immobilization.

I had asked a car remote guy about this and they technically don't consider it an "immobilizer" or so he was saying? He called it a starter bypass or something like that.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Bypassing the starter......to what? What’s getting bypassed?

 

[96eb96]

factory, There's a Ford Factory Security sticker on the window.

Do you have a "THEFT" light on the dash?

It could be the Official Ford Factory Security Accessory then. It is installed by a dealer.
That is more like an aftermarket Alarm wired into your ignition switch.

 

[JTH1972]

Do you have a "THEFT" light on the dash?

It could be the Official Ford Factory Security Accessory then. It is installed by a dealer.
That is more like an aftermarket Alarm wired into your ignition switch.

I can't say I ever recall seeing one come on?

 

[JTH1972]

Bypassing the starter......to what? What’s getting bypassed?

It's like the starter won't engage unless I use the door open button on the key FOB, the I can start it using the key. Otherwise I have to use a wire and jump the battery to the starter solenoid to get it to work.

 

[J_C]

Of course there is a simple way. First thing I would do is look for this module and remove it. Look under the dash, behind the radio, behind the glovebox, under the hood. If this is really a Ford product, odds are fair that it has factory connector compatibility so might be able to unplug it and plug the factory hardness wire in without it.

Otherwise it must be breaking the circuit so using a multimeter you trace how far the power goes before becoming open circuit. It has to have a minimum of one wire in and out that it is breaking (should match colors on wiring diagram if they're correct) so you'd just wire those two together without the module in series. I mean you could even leave the module there, just jumper wire around it.

 

[JTH1972]

Of course there is a simple way. First thing I would do is look for this module and remove it. Look under the dash, behind the radio, behind the glovebox, under the hood. If this is really a Ford product, odds are fair that it has factory connector compatibility so might be able to unplug it and plug the factory hardness wire in without it.

Turns out if was a Ford add-on module that gave it the ability to use FOB's, but I guess only the FOb's tuned to that one. I ended up pulling the box. It had wires running into it from the ignition to act as a lock out. I gut those wires and spliced them together and now it starts normally. I can't believe I fought with it all this time!