A puzzling thing happened...

[moexplorer97]

I just purchased my 97 Sport this past Sunday. I've been searching and reading this forum ever since then. I was trying to program the one hand held lock/unlock/panic? remote that came with my truck. I printed out and followed the instructions to the letter.
However, my truck enters programming mode after only 5, yes five, turns of the ignition from off/lock to on, instead of the 8 turns the instructions say to do. Or I should say, that is when my locks cycle.
Even though my remote apparently does not work at all, I wanted to know if anyone else has encountered this same 5 turns as opposed to 8 turns???
Also, do these remotes have replaceable batteries?

 

[Pensa]

"I wanted to know if anyone else has encountered this same 5 turns as opposed to 8 turns???
Also, do these remotes have replaceable batteries?"

Yes, mine program after 5 turns instead of 8.

You can replace the battery in your remote. My original remote didn't work but when I opened it to replace the battery I found corrosion from the battery had ruined the remote. Check that before buying a new battery, you may have to get a new remote.

 

[Blee1099]

95-97 program in 5 key cycles.
programming a 95/96/97

cycle iginition from off to run 5 times within 10 sec, ending in run, all doors will lock then unlock to confirm programming mode, press any button on the 1st remote transmitter. door locks will cycle(lock then unlock) to confirm programming. to program additional remotes - press any button on the next remote(upto 4 total possible) locks will cycle again. turn iginition off. locks will again cycle to indicate the end of the programming mode.

programming a 98/99/00/01

same as above - but cycle iginition off to run 8 times within 10 seconds

 

[redneck21]

Check the battery in the key fob. Might just need a new one.

 

[Pensa]

I should add, if you need a new remote check on Ebay. They had new ones for $10 when I looked for mine and the dealer here wanted $66 for one.

Just make sure to get the right one. There are numbers on the back of your remote and the new one should have the same numbers.

 

[moexplorer97]

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

 

[gijoecam]

The fob you have might not be for a 97... 95-97 took a remote that looks like this:

The remote for a 98-01 looks like this:

They're not interchangable...

-Joe

 

[moexplorer97]

My remote looks like the 98-01 remote, damnit! Now to find a pair of the right ones. That leads me to another question...do they have to be specifically for an Explorer, or will other fobs of the same year work?

Thanks joe!

 

[gijoecam]

My remote looks like the 98-01 remote, damnit! Now to find a pair of the right ones. That leads me to another question...do they have to be specifically for an Explorer, or will other fobs of the same year work?

Thanks joe!

Basically, if the fob looks like the one I posted, it'll work... It'll have the hard plastic buttons as opposed to the rubbery buttons on the ones you have. They'll likely be listed to work with an Explorer, F-150, Ranger, Probe, and possibly an Escort. Many of the other ones will work, but they'll have extra buttons for the trunk or rear hatch in some cases. They would probably work, but I like mine to have only the buttons I need and can use.

-Joe

 

[moexplorer97]

Alright, thanks again for the info. The reason I asked about other vehicles, is I found one for a Probe, and one for an Explorer. I also agree with you on only having the buttons required.

 

[gijoecam]

On Ebay, I just searched for "Explorer remote" and found plenty of them... Ignore all the information listed as to what it works for and get one that looks like the one I posted. It'll work fine.

-Joe

 

[moexplorer97]

Just bought 1 fob for $6.89(shipping incl.) off ebay.

Waiting to win the bid for fob #2.