98 Anti-Theft problem

[CyBeRcR0W]

I just had AAA tow my 1998 Ford Explorer. I used the remote key thing with the buttons to unlock. The first time I pressed it nothing unlocked. I pressed it again. Still nothing. So I used the key and now the car won't start. The red theft light is blinking, there is a clicking sound coming from the dashboard. The battery is good.

So i found out that i had a little panel 1in by 1in under the steering column so i removed it and found a little red button, so i pressed and nothing happend so i inserted the key on the starter put it on the ON position and pressed the button again and presto, the car started and the remote worked again. But now, the problem is that i have to use it everytime i get on the car.

FYI, 1 1/2 month ago i was inspecting the car so i opened the liftgate and removed the jack side pannel and found out that the RAP Module was disconnected from the (connector/wires) so i plugged the 2 connectors back to the module. And everything was working great, my guess is, it was disconnected for a reason.

The question is, how can i return the car to normal, so i dont have to press the little red button.

 

[maypo59]

my guess is you need to program the keys to the truck. I know how to do it, it's in the manual, but you have to have TWO properly coded keys to do it. When we bought ours I bought a spare key and coded it strait away, so if one of us lost a key...

My guess is the dealership will have to do it for you, and I will bet it has something to do with the little red button, and that they charge a lot to do it.

Try here, if the 1st doesn't work, looks like a dealer trip...

 

[oplitic]

If it was the keys it wouldn't start. It needs to see the codes in the keys, so if it the keeps dropped out then the x wouldn't see the keys, therefor not start. I don't know what this red button is. I've never seen it before. I have a 98 Mounty, same thing obviously. I'm stumped, but might have an answer tomorrow afternoon after I got to work and ask about it. Did you try pulling the RAP plugs back out and see if it will go back to normal? Also try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a few mins to see if it can reset things. Won't hurt anything, just maybe lose your favorites on your radio.

 

[CyBeRcR0W]

tryed

i did disconnect the battery for 2 minutes, i also disconnected the RAP connectors but nothing, my guess is the computer has to detect that the rap is disconnected and since some computers do a check sensor like every 100 miles it hasn't detected that the RAP is not connected, again that is my thought, who knows, any input on this is appreciated

 

[oplitic]

i did disconnect the battery for 2 minutes, i also disconnected the RAP connectors but nothing, my guess is the computer has to detect that the rap is disconnected and since some computers do a check sensor like every 100 miles it hasn't detected that the RAP is not connected, again that is my thought, who knows, any input on this is appreciated

that sucks, that's all the ideas I had for now.. lol

 

[gijoecam]

It's got to be an aftermarket system bypass of some sort... What's the little red button connected to? My guess is that the little red button is substituting for the 'OK to Start' signal to the PCM (if it's even possible), but I have no idea... trace the wires connected to the button and let us know what you find.

 

[CyBeRcR0W]

very good start of DAY

Something happened to me a few hours ago. i went to a gas station, i was pumping gas when i hear some guy in the pump beside me asking me if owned that car, and i told him yes, he told me that he used to own that car like 3 years ago, so i asked how did he identify the car and told me of a few things of reference like the Applebee's sticker inside the arm comparment(what are the odds?) so i just went ahead and told him about the problem with the car, and he told me that he did install and aftermarket alarm system because his insurance asked him to do so, he gave me the address of the place he went to install the alarm. I called and the place is located like 2 blocks from where i work at, so ill take the car on Saturday.

Its a small world after all, i bought the car from a car lot in AZ state when i used to live there, it seems that this car only had 1 previous owner and was purchased in Cali, the guy told me that the car was sold as a trade in to another dealer and i don't know how it got to AZ, i moved to CALI 6 months ago. 3 days after the problem with the alarm system started appearing, out of nowhere i bump in to the previous owner, what are the odds.
thank you for the reply´s guys. i let you know what happened.

 

[gijoecam]

LOL!!! Talk about a small world!??!!?

Keep us posted...

 

[CyBeRcR0W]

Aftermarket alarm

it turns out that the car got in to a theft mode that i needed to press the valet parking button every time y entered the vehicle, and the guy told me to:

Press the button while the key is in the ignition on position and the press the star button in the remote for 10 seconds. And thats it, it worked it seems that this thing activates the Anti-theft mode by pressing the same button for 5 seconds.



So everything is back to normal they solved the problem in like 30 seconds, heheheheh.

 

[ThePhoenix]

whew...glad you ran into him

 

[da chill one]

i have a 98 ford explorer that i bought for my daughter, a few days ago she got in it and it wouldn't start, turned over but wouldn't fire up, so i thought i was the fuel pump. I put a new pump on it and nothing, so next i found out it wasn't holding fire so i ran a new curcit relay and all, but that didn't work either, the anti- theft light on the dash keeps flashing after i try to crank it. my question is there a way to by-pass the anti-theft