Ford OEM remote start

[SilverBullet]

I was thinking about getting a remote start for my X. I saw on Ebay there is an OEM Ford remote start/keyless entry/alarm kit that would basically replace my existing keyless entry/alarm kit that is there now, but adding the feature of remote start.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

 

[Brock94]

I bought one thinking I'd put it on my explorer-- also to give me keyless entry, but decided it wasn't safe to put it on a manual transmission vehicle. I ended up buying a Ford System 6 alarm/keyless entry system also on eBay and installed that. Both of these appear to be really well built-- remotes are solid, wires are very good quality, etc.

The installation manual that comes with it gives a pretty good step-by-step once you get used to the multi-language format. I pulled an alarm wire color and location chart from the12volt.com, but the system actually came with charts for 2001 model year Fords.

The total install of the System 6 in my 94 took about 8 hours and was not too difficult. It was the first time I had ever done any significant wiring work in a car and I was really picky about wire-routing, getting everything neatly wrapped in split-loom and making soldered shrink-tubed splices. If I'd been more sloppy I could have done it a lot faster and it would probably still last longer than the vehicle will.

I'll probably install the remote-start system on my Dodge Durango. (When I told my wife she said "But it's a ford system, can you do that?") Anyway, the System 6 is great and the remote start system is similar quality.

I got each of them as a "Buy it now" for $50-- this price was a "steal" given the quality. I would have gladly paid more.

 

[00XLS]

So this is something you can put into any Ford? i have the keyless entry only now but if I can upgrade to keyless/alarm/ and remote start that would be great.

 

[Brock94]

Yes. Some models require additional relays for certain things, but the instructions cover that. Judging from the instructions, the systems were designed for 00-01 models, but obviously I adapted the non-remote start version to my 94. I think the remote start system will be easily adapted to my Durango. When you install with an existing remote entry/alarm, you just install this "over" the existing system. This system has an output to connect to any factory alarm that will disarm the factory alarm when you disarm it, etc.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

I added the remote start to my existing ford alarm system. But I didn't do the work personally, Ford did. The remotes are sort of expensive if they are Ford remotes. I never had a problem with mine, worked like a charm even to this day with it crushed, she is still armed and ready to go. But you do lose 1 feature, no valet. You will not be able to just hit the red light like a button but it also does not auto arm either and will not start with the hood open. It does have some safety features on it.

 

[Brock94]

BBQ, do you know what system they installed? If you didn't get Ford remotes, they may have installed a non-Ford aftermarket system. If you had a separate starter remote, they may have installed the starter-only system.

The systems we're talking about on eBay have full-feature alarms built into them as well as remote start and were the OEM Ford "Dealer installed option" at the time-- when you install them over an existing factory system, they will control turning that system on and off. The systems that I bought for $50 on eBay each came with two Ford remotes.

My Explorer had an old Viper alarm system on it which I removed completely before installing the new system. The Ford system adds all the extras like illuminated entry and exit, door locking with ignition and unlocking with shut down, automatic arming, valet, flashing parking lights, siren, etc. Most of these features can be turned on or off with programming. Some of them which involve connecting a wire, or just programming are listed in the instructions as installation "Options" indicating that a dealer might charge extra to hook them up.

When I was looking into this, I read somewhere that Ford was switching over to plug-in modules for the new vehicles that are more integrated with the factory wiring/computer controls. I think that's why a lot of dealers are unloading these older systems which are just Ford-branded Code Alarm systems. It's a great opportunity for people with older vehicles to get a good quality set up and add some cool features to the car. I really like the illuminated entry/exit on my old 94.

Edit: Sorry about your truck by the way. Such a shame to see such a beautiful X go. I hope to see you building up a new one soon.

 

[Prindle19]

the models designed for 01 and up vehicles, how hard is it to adapt them to a 1996 eddie bauer???

 

[Brock94]

Probably not hard at all. I just installed a System 6 Alarm/Keyless entry on my 94. All the literature that came with it said it was for 2001-2002 vehicles.

The remote start/alarm/keyless system I still have in the box would have required separate relays to operate the locks in my 94. I intended to, but did not install the remote start system on my 94 because it has a manual transmission.

 

[Brock94]

I should add that I have decent basic electric skills (though I'd never installed an alarm in a car before) and it took me about 8 hours to do the install. (I was really careful about making the connections right, routing wires neatly and in split-loom, etc., so I probably could have done it faster without all that.)

 

[F14CRAZY]

brock: I have remote start in my sticker XL, and it's a pretty safe system. I can explain if you'd like me to.