Remote Start Facts (2011 - 2015 only)

[Mhowewv]

My Story

I ordered two keys from Jason for my 2014 Explorer Sport, they arrived in a few days. Took the keys and the Sport to the local stealership and they would not cut them because I didn't buy them there. I kinda thought it would be an issue because I have delt with them in the past. So I went to another dealer. Show up at the service desk with my two keys and ask for them to be cut, programed and the remote start to be turn on. The service person said "sure no problem", sounds good right. They did the keys and then told me that my vehichle didn't have remote start. I said "sure it does, it just needs turned on". The service person I was working with had only been on the job 3 months so, you can see where this is going. She went and got another service rep for help. He said that ALL Sport models have remote start as a standard option and didn't know why it wouldn't work. So he went and got the tech that did the keys. The tech told him he was wrong. So they went and got the Service Manager. When he came over he looked at my vehicle and said "that's not a Sport". So they went and got the Sales Manager. I stood patiently listening to them and their discussion. I asked if they would pull a build sheet on the vehicle to verify it was a Sport. I did this because the Sales Manager implied that I put a Sport emblem on the lift gate. Needless to say he stood corrected and walked away, no apologies. They all told me I had to purchase a Remote Start kit. I asked for a quote with part numbers and went on my way. Told them I would be back tomorrow. I was trying to be nice.
The next moring I went back with Jason's instructions in hand and the video loaded on YouTube. The same girl that I was working with got the Tech and he looked at the instructions. He said "I do this everyday and it won't work". I asked him to try one more time and if it works I will buy him lunch. He came back 15 minutes later and told me that it worked and he thanked me for showing him something new.

 

[Odrapnew]

I ordered two keys from Jason for my 2014 Explorer Sport, they arrived in a few days. Took the keys and the Sport to the local stealership and they would not cut them because I didn't buy them there. I kinda thought it would be an issue because I have delt with them in the past. So I went to another dealer. Show up at the service desk with my two keys and ask for them to be cut, programed and the remote start to be turn on. The service person said "sure no problem", sounds good right. They did the keys and then told me that my vehichle didn't have remote start. I said "sure it does, it just needs turned on". The service person I was working with had only been on the job 3 months so, you can see where this is going. She went and got another service rep for help. He said that ALL Sport models have remote start as a standard option and didn't know why it wouldn't work. So he went and got the tech that did the keys. The tech told him he was wrong. So they went and got the Service Manager. When he came over he looked at my vehicle and said "that's not a Sport". So they went and got the Sales Manager. I stood patiently listening to them and their discussion. I asked if they would pull a build sheet on the vehicle to verify it was a Sport. I did this because the Sales Manager implied that I put a Sport emblem on the lift gate. Needless to say he stood corrected and walked away, no apologies. They all told me I had to purchase a Remote Start kit. I asked for a quote with part numbers and went on my way. Told them I would be back tomorrow. I was trying to be nice.
The next moring I went back with Jason's instructions in hand and the video loaded on YouTube. The same girl that I was working with got the Tech and he looked at the instructions. He said "I do this everyday and it won't work". I asked him to try one more time and if it works I will buy him lunch. He came back 15 minutes later and told me that it worked and he thanked me for showing him something new.

So, what did you buy him for lunch?

And, nice it worked out for you and sounds like you patiently and professionally dealt with the lack of knowledge behind the desk.

 

[jmr061]

I ordered two keys from Jason for my 2014 Explorer Sport, they arrived in a few days. Took the keys and the Sport to the local stealership and they would not cut them because I didn't buy them there. I kinda thought it would be an issue because I have delt with them in the past. So I went to another dealer. Show up at the service desk with my two keys and ask for them to be cut, programed and the remote start to be turn on. The service person said "sure no problem", sounds good right. They did the keys and then told me that my vehichle didn't have remote start. I said "sure it does, it just needs turned on". The service person I was working with had only been on the job 3 months so, you can see where this is going. She went and got another service rep for help. He said that ALL Sport models have remote start as a standard option and didn't know why it wouldn't work. So he went and got the tech that did the keys. The tech told him he was wrong. So they went and got the Service Manager. When he came over he looked at my vehicle and said "that's not a Sport". So they went and got the Sales Manager. I stood patiently listening to them and their discussion. I asked if they would pull a build sheet on the vehicle to verify it was a Sport. I did this because the Sales Manager implied that I put a Sport emblem on the lift gate. Needless to say he stood corrected and walked away, no apologies. They all told me I had to purchase a Remote Start kit. I asked for a quote with part numbers and went on my way. Told them I would be back tomorrow. I was trying to be nice.
The next moring I went back with Jason's instructions in hand and the video loaded on YouTube. The same girl that I was working with got the Tech and he looked at the instructions. He said "I do this everyday and it won't work". I asked him to try one more time and if it works I will buy him lunch. He came back 15 minutes later and told me that it worked and he thanked me for showing him something new.

I enjoy reading stuff like this. I know it is a pain for you guys but I just have to laugh sometimes.

 

[Mhowewv]

For lunch I bought pizza. But here is the way it happened. I told him that if he made it work I was buying pizza for everyone in the service department and he could tell them that lunch was on him. If he didn't make it work I was going to tell everyone that I was going to buy pizza for everyone but he couldn't make it work. Added pressure.
BTW I run some locally owned Papa John's stores so the pizza part was easy.

 

[Mroman88]

So I have a base model and want to verify I have my facts straight.

I need to buy a hood switch and a 4 button IKT correct?
Is there anything else? I read somewhere about a wiring harness to the hood switch possibly?
And will an after market IKT work?

 

[jmr061]

So I have a base model and want to verify I have my facts straight.

I need to buy a hood switch and a 4 button IKT correct?
Is there anything else? I read somewhere about a wiring harness to the hood switch possibly?
And will an after market IKT work?

The base model will need the hood switch wiring harness. A pain to install BTW.

 

[Evans956]

The base model will need the hood switch wiring harness. A pain to install BTW.

Have you installed it? I need to do this and could really use some help if you could let me know how you passed it into the cabin I would be very greatfull.

 

[reserved50]

lots of incorrect info, I know a few people with the base model and they already had the wiring harness installed from the factory with a cover protecting the connector where the switch would be. Check first, might just need the hood switch only. Someone needs to make a new remote start info page with pictures, verified info and locations so the same questions wont appear over and over and then having to wait for an answer.

If you want the remote start range longer then the factory keyfobs you need to buy the package that uses the external antenna. Problem with the factory key fob is you need to hit a few buttons to get it to start, and if its barely in range pressing those buttons in sequence can be hit or miss.

 

[peterk9]

lots of incorrect info, I know a few people with the base model and they already had the wiring harness installed from the factory with a cover protecting the connector where the switch would be. Check first, might just need the hood switch only. Someone needs to make a new remote start info page with pictures, verified info and locations so the same questions wont appear over and over and then having to wait for an answer.

If you want the remote start range longer then the factory keyfobs you need to buy the package that uses the external antenna. Problem with the factory key fob is you need to hit a few buttons to get it to start, and if its barely in range pressing those buttons in sequence can be hit or miss.

I don't see a need to start another thread on this topic. If there is info that you feel is incorrect, please contact jmr061 with the information and he can verify or check it out and add any revisions that he feels necessary to the initial post which has already helped many members.

Peter

 

[expoman55]

Ford Upgradable Remote Start Antenna Kit Bi-Directional DL3Z-15603-C Factory

Does this extend the factory remote start capabilities? Or is this fot the cell kit remote ?

 

[jmr061]

Does this extend the factory remote start capabilities? Or is this fot the cell kit remote ?

That for the long range system and utilizes a separate remote start fob and hardware.

 

[champco]

Do not need a long range antenna. It's starting and it takes a minute to reach it.
Plenty good.

 

[TahoeTwin]

Jason (jmr061),
Do you know if this process would work on a 2015 Interceptor utility, It has the wiring for the hood pin already and I have ordered the hood pin and I will install the pin myself.
Also Are you selling the IKT anymore or no longer selling them. I need a couple.

I wonder if the PIU would have the antenna installed already from the factory or not, like you say the civilian models do. I know the PIU is a little different than the civilian models.

Any help from you would be much appreciated, Thanks Tim.

 

[jmr061]

Jason (jmr061),
Do you know if this process would work on a 2015 Interceptor utility, It has the wiring for the hood pin already and I have ordered the hood pin and I will install the pin myself.
Also Are you selling the IKT anymore or no longer selling them. I need a couple.

I wonder if the PIU would have the antenna installed already from the factory or not, like you say the civilian models do. I know the PIU is a little different than the civilian models.

Any help from you would be much appreciated, Thanks Tim.

http://www.fordpimods.com/remote-start.html

That should answer your questions.

Thanks

 

[TahoeTwin]

Wow, Great site and info Jason.
Thanks.
Your helping me and other people with all these upgrades and programming is much appreciated.

 

[djlove]

These things dont inspire confidence in the dealer

I had a similar experience as has been described here but since I couldn't get OEM remotes afford ably I just brought in aftermarket remotes for the dealer to program and turn on remote start.

After a disagreement over whether its possible, they relented after I showed them the printed directions. Then they called me later in the day trying to sell me the OEM remotes because the key only works as a valet key and the remote is not set up for my car (because multiple positive amazon reviews are apparently wrong...)

Paid my 114 bucks for programming and key cutting and then went home and read the programming directions and had it up and remote starting in less than ten minutes.

Close all the doors and get in the drivers seat, open the driver door and hit unlock on the door. Toggle the original key off to on 8 times ending in on and the locks will lock and unlock. Then hit a button on each new remote and turn the key off and your new remotes will work great.

I called the dealer up and told him they worked fine and I was disappointed in their services. They told me they tried everything including what I did and it didn't work. Ummm, I don't think anything changed from the stealership to my house in less than an hour????

 

[champco]

That for the long range system and utilizes a separate remote start fob and hardware.

I don't get this long range stuff. After having mine enabled (thanks again Jason) I can use it from seriously 75-90 yards away. How much farther does one need??

 

[Sgt1411]

I had a similar experience as has been described here but since I couldn't get OEM remotes afford ably I just brought in aftermarket remotes for the dealer to program and turn on remote start.

After a disagreement over whether its possible, they relented after I showed them the printed directions. Then they called me later in the day trying to sell me the OEM remotes because the key only works as a valet key and the remote is not set up for my car (because multiple positive amazon reviews are apparently wrong...)

Paid my 114 bucks for programming and key cutting and then went home and read the programming directions and had it up and remote starting in less than ten minutes.

Close all the doors and get in the drivers seat, open the driver door and hit unlock on the door. Toggle the original key off to on 8 times ending in on and the locks will lock and unlock. Then hit a button on each new remote and turn the key off and your new remotes will work great.

I called the dealer up and told him they worked fine and I was disappointed in their services. They told me they tried everything including what I did and it didn't work. Ummm, I don't think anything changed from the stealership to my house in less than an hour????

I would email the Ford Regional Rep for your area and copy the Dealer Principal. Thats pathetic service from the dealership, they need a Ford peepee slap for ignorance. Don't let them get away with that.

 

[reserved50]

I don't get this long range stuff. After having mine enabled (thanks again Jason) I can use it from seriously 75-90 yards away. How much farther does one need??

the shortest range is the built in keyfob, from there you can add an external antenna to the TPMS module at the back of the center console to extend it to maybe double, the problem is the antenna wire is too short so ford also has a longer wire so you can run the antenna higher up or add wire and extend the antenna to the top of the windshield or under the headliner. The other option is the long range antenna just for the remote start which you need to buy the alarm module for and the last option is the cell phone module which obviously you can use your phone to start(you also have to buy the alarm module to use it).

Anyways the factory key remote didn't give me enough range so I tried the add on TPMS antenna module, it really didn't increase the distance much at all, just made the signal a little more consistent, so I went with the alarm module (which you have to buy) and add on antenna with a separate remote that confirms if the vehicle has started.

There are two types of antennas, the basic one that attaches to the TPMS module which basically does nothing for range is about 6" long and 1" wide and do not need to buy the alarm module to work (think its been discontinued for the Explorer but its the same as the F150s). Main problem with this one is it doesn't increase the remotes range since the antenna is fixed. The other antenna is about a 2" square box with a 2" stub sticking out of it which is the long range antenna that attaches to the add on alarm module.. confusing isn't it

 

[djlove]

TPMS antenna

Do you happen to have part #'s for the longer range antenna?