Alarm Lockout Help please

[jonsco]

Hi Need help
This is a Right Hand Drive Ford Import and I am just hoping that the security system is the same in the U.S.

Got out, closed door pressed button on remote to lock.
Nothing happened, got back in, tried inside still nothing.
Then immobilizer locked in.
Had to lock the car with the door buttons and phone my wife to come get me.
New battery in remote last week, red light shows when button pressed.
We don't have a Ford Dealers near that look after the Explorer.

Please any ideas

 

[Howard]

I assume that this is not at home. Just occasionally there is a strong radio signal that swamps the remote system. I guess you can't start the car either as it won't disable the immobiliser. The only cure that I know off is to have the car towed a little way away and then try again. My bet is it will all work fine then.

 

[jonsco]

Hi Howard
Not something I had even thought of, but I parked right opposite the BT Telephone Building with its transmitter masts.
I wouldn't have thought microwave transmitters were on the same or similar frequency.

Have bought the Chilton book from the States, but is there anything else, ie fuse or relay worth checking before I loose my no claims with the RAC.

Thanks

John

 

[Howard]

None that I can think of. It happened to another UK member on this board too. Maybe here in the UK we use different frequencies to the US. It hasn't happened to me yet but you never know.

 

[jonsco]

Thanks
Have debated about towing it bit closer to home but the thought of trying to drive it without the engine runing does not appeal to me one bit.
So it's going to be an RAC job
Thanks for your help. Hope it doesn't happen to you it is so frustrating.

This has been an experience, not used to using forums more at home with 2k server.

john

 

[jonsco]

Hi Howard

For future reference the receiver unit is in the rear nearside panel in the boot area just in front of the washer bottle.
All you have to do is operate the remote within 2cm and hey presto....we have life

thanks

john

 

[Howard]

Glad you got it sorted. At least its not a trip to the dealers. .

I'll remember that, thanks.

 

[jonsco]

Hi Howard
Just been reading through your posts and came across those about the exhausts
Do you have anything upto-date on that.
Have always had my cars looked after by a garage, but the guy looked rather bemused when I turned up in the X. Mine seems to be the only one in town.

 

[Howard]

John,

With the x your best bet is DIY as garages over here don't seem to know a lot about them. Get a good manual (Haynes or Chiltons) and some good tools. I have some of the more specialist ones like the bottom ball joint tool, code reader but a good set of sockets with torx bits will go a long way.

As for exhausts I got nowhere in the end except a custom build for £600 but I believe another UK member (weslhgod) managed to get one fairly cheap.

 

[jonsco]

Thanks for that, have both manuals, bought from amazon.com, and the tools. However don't have a lot of time for DIY, have to look after some 150 PC's full time over 9 sites. Keeps me fairly busy, but well paid. That is without my 2 year old son who wants to help with everything.