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1996 Explorer "Supplemental" Alarm System Problems

I have a 1996 Explorer XLT with what I'm calling a "supplemental" alarm system installed. It almost looks like an aftermarket install, but as far as I can tell it's a Ford alarm, since the remote has the FORD emblem on it. The remote has 2 buttons: ARM and DISARM. There's also a small red light mounted on the dashboard behind the turn signal lever, which flashes red, and a separate siren under the hood on the firewall. The problem: I recently had the car's battery changed, and ever since then, the supplemental alarm has activated itself (I originally had it in some sort of valet mode, where I didn't have to bother with it -- until now). Now every time I shut off the car, even for a few minutes, I have to press the DISARM button in order to start the car. I'd just like to know the procedure to get it either DISABLED, or put back into valet mode so I don't have to deal with it. There's no mention of this alarm in the owner's manual, and I'm not the original owner of the car, so I didn't have it installed. Any help with this would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks.

Reply to
jdefelice
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I too have a '96 Exploder 4.0L XLT but with the standard anti-theft system, panic button on the fob, and numeric combo entry pad on driver side door. There are no "arm/disarm" buttons anywhere, and this security system was factory installed and listed on the new car window invoice.

A couple days ago I replaced this vehicle's 12V battery (which was quite weak) with a new one and since then I'm having intermittent incidents of horn honking alarms. I'll lock the vehicle, go into a store or whatever, and after 5-10 minutes the horn honking begins for no legitimate reason. This doesn't happen all the time. It's interesting that only the horn honks -- the head and tail lights do not flash. Putting the key in the ignition and turning it stops the honking.

When I read your post about this happening after having your battery changed, I made a connection with my having also installed a new battery. Sorry to say, I have no fix, but if someone else replies maybe the new battery issue might be useful in diagnosis. Len

Reply to
Len Krauss

... From the Original Poster: I should CLARIFY my description of the problem with the 'supplemental' alarm system. The alarm 'arms' itself and needs to be disarmed with the FOB -- as opposed to 'activates itself', as I originally posted. The alarm does NOT go off falsely -- it actually works as intended. I would just like to know the procedure of how to put it back into VALET mode, or DISABLE it, so I don't have to disarm it every time I start the car. Also -- is there a way to disarm this system without the FOB? If not, and I lose the FOB, it seems I'll be out of luck, and a car, I guess, since the car will not start when the system is armed. Thanks again in advance. By the way, my local Ford dealer was of no help. They wanted to order me a new alarm module, but then told me they couldn't, since I was not the ORIGINAL owner of the car (although I have the DMV title to the car). I thought that was kind of weird.

Reply to
jdefelice

FWIW, I found that my hood was not fully latched down. After doing so, the false alarm problem has not reoccurred, but this has only been a couple days. Not sure if there's a hood sensor, and whether it's tied to security system, but it seems like a good possibility.

Reply to
Len Krauss

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