Remote Start Activation

[pete497]

Has anyone actually had success in having a dealer activate the fabled built in remote start? If so are there any dealers in the metro NYC area that would have a clue about it.

I've called local dealers and they have no idea what I'm talking about but offer to install a $500 "plug and play" remote starter.

 

[jmr061]

Any dealer with IDS and a VCM2 can do it (required equipment for a ford service center). They just need to be educated. Its a basic function of the software. The official basic plug and play kit has an official MSRP of like $285 and then the dealer adds their charge for activating it, cutting the keys and programming them if need be. You can get the keys yourself, have a locksmith cut them and program to your vehicle yourself as long as you have two existing programmed keys already. Then all you need the dealer to do is activate it (hood pin must be installed).

Doesn't a Sport come with remote start?

Jason

 

[pete497]

Remote start was an option I didn't get on my Sport. The dealerships I spoke to had no idea what I was talking about and just wanted to sell me the system.

 

[jmr061]

Remote start was an option I didn't get on my Sport. The dealerships I spoke to had no idea what I was talking about and just wanted to sell me the system.

So do you have the intelligent access or the IKT? It amazes me every time I hear someone say a dealer doesn't know about activating remote start. I need to move to a big city and start doing this myself lol

 

[pete497]

I have a regular key but I did check I do have the hood pin switch.

 

[jmr061]

As long as it has the hood pin you don't even need a remote start key to get it activated. I have an example video on my FB page on activating remote start that I just added. Maybe show that to them.

 

[pete497]

What about the key? Ford used to sell them on there dealers OEM parts finders but I am not seeing them anymore. Can I buy one off of ebay that would work?

 

[BobbyMarks]

What about the key? Ford used to sell them on there dealers OEM parts finders but I am not seeing them anymore. Can I buy one off of ebay that would work?

I got mine from partscheap.com http://www.partscheap.com/2015-Ford-Explorer-Accessories-s/467.htm

BM

 

[pete497]

So you bought the whole plug and play 100 series kit. Did you install it yourself and then have the dealership do an IDS activation in the MFT system?

I got mine from partscheap.com http://www.partscheap.com/2015-Ford-Explorer-Accessories-s/467.htm

BM

 

[jmr061]

So you bought the whole plug and play 100 series kit. Did you install it yourself and then have the dealership do an IDS activation in the MFT system?

The 100 plug and play kit consists of two keys. Nothing more nothing less.

 

[pete497]

OK I thought it included a couple of components. I saw a youtube video of a plug and play install on a Taurus earlier today with components.

The 100 plug and play kit consists of two keys. Nothing more nothing less.

 

[dco43054]

Which "fabled" remote start kit are you referring to?

There used to be 3 versions available from the Ford accessory catalog .
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=333902

The lowest version, which used the standard key transmitter/receiver was just a new set of keys. The dealer then has to reprogram the vehicle electronics to for it to work. The range for that is no better then regular key.

The longer range versions were the 200 and 300, and have a separate transmitter.

 

[BobbyMarks]

So you bought the whole plug and play 100 series kit. Did you install it yourself and then have the dealership do an IDS activation in the MFT system?

1) Depending on your EXP - a 4 (no power liftgate) or 5 button (w/power liftgate) applies.

2) be sure the hood switch is factory installed, if not then you need to get one - DIY or dealer - you choice.

3) Have your dealer program remote start as jmr061 explained (video). Dealers are not aware of this, so need to explain clearly to them.

4) Have your keys cut, dealer or a locksmith.

5) Check your left side cluster - vehicle settings for rem start.

Believe you are done.

Cost:
1) Keys : $250.00 +/-
2) Programming 1 hr: $80.00 +/-
3) Keys cut : $10-$15 +/-

BM

 

[jmr061]

Also rated distance for standard remote start is 300', long range kits with separate FOB are 1000' and then of course there is the cell phone app unit that is limited only by cell phone coverage.

 

[LakersCentral]

1) Depending on your EXP - a 4 (no power liftgate) or 5 button (w/power liftgate) applies.

2) be sure the hood switch is factory installed, if not then you need to get one - DIY or dealer - you choice.

3) Have your dealer program remote start as jmr061 explained (video). Dealers are not aware of this, so need to explain clearly to them.

4) Have your keys cut, dealer or a locksmith.

5) Check your left side cluster - vehicle settings for rem start.

Believe you are done.

Cost:
1) Keys : $250.00 +/-
2) Programming 1 hr: $80.00 +/-
3) Keys cut : $10-$15 +/-

BM

1) already have what I believe is a 5 button key (though the middle isn't labeled). I custom ordered my car, so the buttons aren't exactly the same as any others I've seen (from L to R, top to bot: Lock, Unlock, Panic, 2x Tailgate)

2) hood switch was factory installed

So... it seems all i need is a reprogram. What I'm wondering is could I just buy a "Ford VCM2/ODB Diagnostic Scanner with IDS Support"... and reprogram it myself? I have a few other things I'd like to change, so the extra money vs just the dealer doing it would be worth it.

Has anyone used one of these units and had success?

 

[BobbyMarks]

1) already have what I believe is a 5 button key (though the middle isn't labeled). I custom ordered my car, so the buttons aren't exactly the same as any others I've seen (from L to R, top to bot: Lock, Unlock, Panic, 2x Tailgate)

2) hood switch was factory installed

So... it seems all i need is a reprogram. What I'm wondering is could I just buy a "Ford VCM2/ODB Diagnostic Scanner with IDS Support"... and reprogram it myself? I have a few other things I'd like to change, so the extra money vs just the dealer doing it would be worth it.

Has anyone used one of these units and had success?

Hi, the middle should be labled if you have remote lift gate.

I have not tried that route, sorry.

BM

 

[Riley]

1) already have what I believe is a 5 button key (though the middle isn't labeled). I custom ordered my car, so the buttons aren't exactly the same as any others I've seen (from L to R, top to bot: Lock, Unlock, Panic, 2x Tailgate)

2) hood switch was factory installed

So... it seems all i need is a reprogram. What I'm wondering is could I just buy a "Ford VCM2/ODB Diagnostic Scanner with IDS Support"... and reprogram it myself? I have a few other things I'd like to change, so the extra money vs just the dealer doing it would be worth it.

Has anyone used one of these units and had success?

You need the 5 button key for the remote start to work. It's not just "hidden" on the fob.

If you get the Ford IDS tool how will you connect to the Ford network on a laptop? Only Ford issued computers with the correct software can do it.

 

[jmr061]

I already gave him my personal opinion on using a clone VCM and hacked IDS. As far as the key, yes you are correct. There is no soft button under the silicone and I even went as far as taking one apart and moving the panic alarm button and placing it in the open pads for the 5th "remote start" button and it did not function. The boards must be programmed with what they can do.

 

[LakersCentral]

Like I said, I custom ordered my car... choosing only the options I want (basically base sport + power tailgate & tow package). So the button scheme on my key looks different than any other I've seen online (see below). And though I didn't order remote start, for some reason it came with a hood pin. This made me wonder if the key was made as a 5-button, but then had the middle button (along with remote start) simply disabled.

[MENTION=264213]jmr061[/MENTION] - were you able to put back together the key you took apart? If there's a PCB contact below the middle button, then all that would need to be done is to install a pushbutton, and reprogram the FOB (which I plan on doing to control a few other things, like window roll up/down). Not that I know how to do this... but I know its possible!

 

[jmr061]

There is nothing special about your key. It is a standard 4 button IKT used for Taurus models and Explorers with the power liftgate among other vehicles. Lots of Explorer owners have a key just like yours. I attached a pic of a new 5 button remote start key I have and a circuit board from a 4 button key just like yours you have pictured. I actually moved the trunk release to the middle remote start position to see if it would remote start a vehicle and it does not. I have no idea how you plan to reprogram the FOB????

Options like global window open and close are a function of the vehicle, not the FOB even though the FOB is used to activate it. The vehicle interprets the key presses to determine what gets done. Your Explorer doesn't have global window opening? Some options are directly enabled/disabled via IDS and some you really need to know what you are doing.