I have a 98 EXP that has bad actuators in 4 of the 5 door locks. I would like to disable the system so that the key fobs are not required to start the car. Any ideas? The local dealership told me that it could not be done and I had to replace all actuators which would cost over $800.
I don't think I understand your question.
The key fobs operate the door locks remotely as part of the keyless entry system. Once you have locked the doors the anti-theft system is activated.
The key starts the vehicle. It is a special key.
Can you clarify?
I believe it is the way the anti-theft module was programmed. If the car is off and you go to start it, it will not start until you unlock it with the clicker even if it is already unlocked. Very confusing. No one else's works this way it seems and I was told by a local garage that it may have been programmed wrong at the factory. I was told by Ford that I would have to buy a whole new module/clickers because they cannot disable it without messing up others things in the electrical system. The garage where it is now says that they cannot even unhook it because they are not sure what all it could affect. I am just wondering if someone else has heard of this and can offer some assistance as I am trying to sell this Explorer. Thanks!
Well, I am not going to tell you I know whats wrong, but it night be worth turning off the door autolock feature to see if that affects anything. This way the vehicle will not try to lock the doors when the vehicle is moved. So, once you have the doors unlocked, they should stay that way unless you lock them with the keyless entry fob or do it manually.
The door autolock feature involves the ignition switch, a brake pedal position switch, a transmission switch, and it monitors if you open or close the doors after you enter the vehicle. So disabling it should take these things out of the loop.
I would use the ignition switch method, because the RAP module has to chirp the horn, which tells you it is responding.
Autolock Enable/Disable-Using the Keypad
To enable or disable autolock using the keyless entry keypad: Enter the five-digit permanent entry code into the keyless entry keypad. Within five seconds of entering the code, press and hold the 7/8 button on the keypad. Within five seconds of Step 2, and while holding the 7/8 button, press the
3/4 button on the keypad and release it. Within five seconds of Step 3, release the 7/8 button on the keypad. If the autolock sound is disabled, the horn will chirp once. If the autolock feature is enabled, the horn will chirp once shortly and then sound a second time with a longer sound of the horn once the above sequence is completed.Autolock Enable/Disable-Using the Ignition Switch Another way to turn the autolock off/on is by following this series of steps:
Close all doors. Confirm that the ignition switch is in the OFF position. Turn the ignition switch from OFF to RUN. NOTE: Steps 4 through 8 must be performed within 30 seconds . Press the power door lock UNLOCK button three times. Turn the ignition switch from RUN to OFF. Press the power door lock UNLOCK button three times. Turn the ignition switch from OFF to RUN. Verify that the RAP module chirps the horn. This indicates that the RAP module is now in the enable/disable mode and ready to accept program changes.
Press the power door lock UNLOCK button one time to command the RAP module to toggle the autolock/relock feature OFF. Press the power door lock LOCK button once to enter the command. Verify that the horn chirps one time to signal the RAP module confirmation of the command. There should only be one chirp indicating that autolock/relock feature has been disabled. If one chirp is heard, followed by a longer sound of the horn, the autolock/relock feature has just been enabled. Return to step 10. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position to exit the enable/disable mode.
Exit the vehicle and verify that the RAP module chirps the horn once to indicate that a feature has been changed and that autolock/relock has been disabled
Lastly, is the dealer getting any error codes off of the system?
They did not say anything about error codes. I will ask. Thank you very much for your help.
Ok - one last note here.
I suggested the idea above because I think its possible your RAP module is fine.
I think your autolock door system may be telling the RAP to lock the doors, which the RAP dutifully does. But the autolock never correctly tells the RAP to unlock the doors.
Then you set the alarm when you exit the vehicle and lock the door with your key Fob. The RAP dutifully locks the doors
I don't know this, but I suspect the RAP module may have two SEPARATE memory "flags" for when it locks doors - one for the alarm systems command and one for the door autlock systems command. When you push the key Fob twice, you are clearing both memory flags in the RAP - then it lets the vehicle start.
So disabling the autolock door feature would test this little theory. Free, and may help you locate the problem. And it would explain having to push the button twice.
If you try it, post back and let me know the results. I am actually curious now to see if this works!
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