Problem: Key fobs not working/Alarm going off | Page 2 | Ford Explorer Forums

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Problem: Key fobs not working/Alarm going off

Aldive, do you know if this is our reset button? It's located above the driver's kick panel in my 03.
 



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Aldive, do you know if this is our reset button? It's located above the driver's kick panel in my 03.

As far as I know and I have never heard of one, there is no reset button ( at least on my '99 ).
 






I'm going to try it later in the morning... Ive never seen that thing that I can recall.
 






Umm, that would be the parking brake light switch... I can tell by the light green w/red wire going to it. The switch grounds the circuit when you depress the parking brake pedal, illuminating the light on the dash.

I checked the schematics, owner's manual, and did some reading in the service manual.

If the vehicle is automatically arming and locking itself, it's not the Ford OEM system. It may be a dealer-installed unit, but the factory anti-theft system does not auto-lock when it arms itself. Also, it sounds like the alarm unit is not playing well with the PATS system. Perhaps an intermittent bad PATS bypass module? If it was the factory system, inserting a recognized key in the door to unlock it would not set off the alarm. If, for some reason, the alarm was sounding, inserting it into the ignition and turning it to the accessory position should cancel the alarm. At any rate, as long as the key is recognized, the engine should start.

I think you've got a system other than the factory unit that's not playing nice with the OEM anti-theft system.

-Joe
 






I will take a photo of the button and post it later today.
 






Then how do you explain my problem. Presuming my vehicle has a working PATS system, being a 98 E, with a new key, why would starting the vehicle with the key not shut off the alarm, but putting in the door code does. I mean, presumably, the vehicle can't be started in the first place without a properly coded PATS key, so why would it not shut off the alarm?
 






Interesting...

Well, glad I didn't sit there pressing the button. This is a trip... I gotta see this button!:cool:
 






ob1.jpg
 






How about a pic of the fob
 


















The manual for the alarm has the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury logos on the top and reads:

Remote Control Car Starter, Keyless Entry and Security System

Owner's Manual

INS0976
Rev. B
1/2001


Page 3:

"After disarming the system and before turning the ignition on, press the emergency override button under the instrument panel."

Page 7:

Emergency Disarm Procedure

If your remote control is lost or fails to function, use this procedure to disarm the system and start your vehicle.

1. Use the keys to enter the vehicle. The alarm will sound once the door is opened.
2. Insert the key into the ignition and turn to the ON position.
3. Locate and press the emergency override button on the instrument panel. The alarm will turn off and the [sic.] you will be able to start your vehicle.
 






I think what you have is the manual ( of the aftermarket system ) for the Ford modles indicated.

Do you see anywhere that this is a Ford product? Have a Ford part number?
 






Aaaah, see, now we're getting somewhere.... I knew there had to be more to the story... You have an aftermarket/dealer-installed Ford alarm/remote start system. That's not the factory system, it's been either dealer-installed or more than likely, the dealer had a local shop do the installation. They had TONS of issues with the older systems around the time yours was probably installed. They seldom played nice with the PATS system, and had the exact issues you're describing. (My dad had one in his F-150 with the same issues)

As for the solution: Dealership or a GOOD high-end alarm installer...It's not going to be an easy task... Ford's systems were usually made by Code Alarm, but they went with another company in the late 90s. The newer ones (since about '02) are Code-Alarms again, and the installation, programming, and troubleshooting manuals are highly guarded by CodeAlarm and their vendors.

Wish I could help more, but it's over my head now...
 












Is there any part number and/or contact information on the inside?
 






It seems to be the same system my gf has in her exp

We recently traded my gf's 95 for an 02 explorer it does have a factory alarm system, the override button is almost in the same location as the one in the pic above, system has the red flashing led, also an impact sensor, module on hers is below the center console and you can turn off the auto arm option by opening the module and opening or closing some switches inside, ford PN F3AZ-19A361-C, owners manual says "system 4", per owners manual the hood pin is optional and could easily be hooked up (haven't tried this yet). I tried arming the system and then starting the truck and it did set the alarm off, so I had to push the override switch and that was it.
 






If you want my opinion, what the heck, here it is anyway, take your truck to a reputable aftermarket car starter/alarm installer and pay him to install a proper keyless entry system. Make sure he completely removes the old system.

Most guys won't want to touch it other then to replace it unless it's their installation anyway.

Or if you're handy, you should be able to get under the driver's side dash and figure out what was there from factory and what was added and remove it yourself. With a switch like that it's definitely not from factory.
 






It's an optional factory alarm. This is not aftermarket by definition.
 



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It's an optional factory alarm. This is not aftermarket by definition.

No, it's not. The factory never installed those alarms. They were dealer-installed. Ford has yet to make a vehicle from the factory with a remote-start.

They are the 'Ford Approved' model, sold and installed through the dealerships, but they're still an aftermarket system. As I mentioned before, the current ones are made by CodeAlarm. That one may or may not be a CodeAlarm system. Any quality alarm installer should be familiar with them. Not all Ford dealers will be as knowledgeable.
 






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