98 F150 Panic

I have an 98 F150 4x4 that randomly goes into panic mode, lights flashing, horn blowing. It's not the panic button being pushed. Sometimes as soon as I turn the ignition off it happens, sometimes it's when it's just sitting there unlocked. I haven't figured out a pattern. Just wondering if anyone has seen this problem. I pulled the horn relay out, to atleast quieten it.

Thanks

Maybe its telling you goodnight or goodmorning. Actually never heard of that happening. But the other day my 1990 started up all by itself, I have had the remote start in it for a year and a half, and the remote was inside the truck, so maybe I have the big brother to your truck!!!!
:eek2:

I too am having the same problem with my F150 alarm. It has been going on for 2 years now.

I have taken the truck into 3 different dealers hoping someone could find and fix the problem. No luck! Everyone says this is the first time they have ever seen this problem.

The problem has no rhyme or reason. It can be sitting in the garage for days without driving and at 6:30 A.M. it goes off or I can just arrive at my destination and shut off the truck and it goes off. And on a good day it may go a week with no problem.

I love my truck but man this is frustrating!!

I too am having the same problem with my F150 alarm. It has been going on for 2 years now.

I have taken the truck into 3 different dealers hoping someone could find and fix the problem. No luck! Everyone says this is the first time they have ever seen this problem.

The problem has no rhyme or reason. It can be sitting in the garage for days without driving and at 6:30 A.M. it goes off or I can just arrive at my destination and shut off the truck and it goes off. And on a good day it may go a week with no problem.

I love my truck but man this is frustrating!!

Yeah, I was wondering years ago if Ford would regret using Code Alarm as their source of keyless entry/alarm systems. I have now seen that they are promoting the FORD (CodeAlarm) remote start through the parts depo. When will they ever learn :screwy:

Anyway, you will have to determin if it's actually the panic or alarm. You could permenately ground out the disarm wire. It is connected to the lock cyl. and uses a negative pulse to shut it off.

Do you have any more info on how I can ground out the disarm wire.

Thanks.

Do you have any more info on how I can ground out the disarm wire.

Thanks.

Yep. Look for a dk green/purple wire that is low in the driver's kick or in the doorjamb. If you ground it, it will disarm it.

No luck either I got the wrong wire or something else is wrong. I found a green wire w/prlp stipe, but the thing still does it.?

No luck either I got the wrong wire or something else is wrong. I found a green wire w/prlp stipe, but the thing still does it.?

Take your keyfob off your key chain and leave it in the house and see if you still have this problem.

I have new info. I found the Drk.grn/prpl wire and grounded it. This did disable the theft system. However this morning @ 7am the horn was sounding again. Is there anyway to bypass the panic system and still use the remote entry? Thanks for the help.

I have new info. I found the Drk.grn/prpl wire and grounded it. This did disable the theft system. However this morning @ 7am the horn was sounding again. Is there anyway to bypass the panic system and still use the remote entry? Thanks for the help.
nope. that's why I said to leave the keyfob well away from the vehicle.

I sure appreciate your help. I keep the truck in a detached garage 50' from the house. The keyfob (2) were in the house. My truck must be possesed!

I have a 1998 Ford F-150 also. The only problem with the truck started approx 2 years ago. The panic alarm goes off by itself at all hours of the day and night. The neighbors are about as frustrated as I am. The fob has nothing to do with it because the thing goes off when everyone is in bed. It also goes off sometimes when the key is just pulled out of the ignition

The problem I had for 2 years, before I disabled the horn on the anti-theft system, and the pattern seemed to be when there was rain or mildew in the mornings that the alarm would go off on it's own. Never figured out the cause of this, so cut the horn wire coming off the RAP (Remote Anti-Theft Personality) module. The RAP has to connectors goings to it C-256 and C-257. C-257 is the one that you need to cut DB wire going to pin #20 of the connector to disable the horn to the RAP. The horn will be unaffected at the steering wheel when doing this BTW. FYI- the RAP is by the brake pedal on the backside of the engine firewall.

The problem I had for 2 years, before I disabled the horn on the anti-theft system, and the pattern seemed to be when there was rain or mildew in the mornings that the alarm would go off on it's own. Never figured out the cause of this, so cut the horn wire coming off the RAP (Remote Anti-Theft Personality) module. The RAP has to connectors goings to it C-256 and C-257. C-257 is the one that you need to cut DB wire going to pin #20 of the connector to disable the horn to the RAP. The horn will be unaffected at the steering wheel when doing this BTW. FYI- the RAP is by the brake pedal on the backside of the engine firewall.

I have had the same annoying /embarrassing problem for about the same amount of time. I concluded that it had something to do with temperature changes. Only does it in spring and fall. Anyhow, does your remedy disable the other alarm functions (i.e. flashing lights etc.)?

The cutting of the 1 wire only disables the horn function of the anti-theft system. All other functions work.

Sorry, no advice here, but a friend of mine has an older Explorer that does the same thing. He can't seem to fix it either.

Guess what...I too have the same problem with my 1998 - 50th anniversary edition F-150. I've had the problem for 4 years. I acquired new fobs and programmed them in case there was one wedged in the seat and was setting it off. Nope! My problem primarily occurs in Winter. It's embarrassing for sure. I can't imagine the neighbors are too happy! It is apparently a problem with this vehicle evidenced by the number of posts on this topic. It's gotten to the point where I had to keep my key chain on the night stand to disarm it! Most recently, it's gone off at 8PM in a snow storm (while I was away in wife's car), 5:25 AM while in bed and even at 1:30 in the afternoon (that's just in the past 3 days). This has finally reached epidemic proportions.

Willore: I like your advice. It seems like the solution for which I am looking! Not as easy to accomplish as it sounds, though. You can't do it in the cold at 7:30 at night with a flashlight when you are half in the bag because you went to beer fest instead of tending to emergent horn issues! FYI: The RAP module is white and is tucked a good way up under where your left foot rests. If you have had a cell phone installed into your truck with a hands free speaker system, remote start, aftermarket alarm or other add-ons, you may inevitably have to move some of that stuff to get at the RAP module!

Others: Until you get the time to hunt down this good solution, the easy solution is to pull the connectors on the horns (yeah, it disables them completely and there are 2 connectors...1 on each horn) located generally above and in front of the passenger front tire...they look like black conch shells! (Your lights will still flash, but they are less likely to wake up you or your neighbors than would your horn!)

Even still, we are not solving the problem, we are only eliminating the major annoyance of the problem! If my wife takes my truck (god forbid) and needs the panic function, it will not be there for her!

I cut the wire that was coming out of what I perceived to be the #20 pin (it was blue/green, I think). I hit the panic button and the horn still sounded. So, I soldered it back together

Then...tried to splice on a ground onto the dark green/purple stripe wire. I hit the panic button and the horn still sounded.

So then I cut that (dk gr/pur) wire (and removed ground). I hit the panic button and the horn still sounded.

So now I disconnected the two harnesses and removed the RAP module, but I really enjoy the convenience of the keyless entry, so I'm gonna need more help.

What am I not getting?

I've solved the problem.
Here's the solution: 1 gallon of gasoline and 1 match!

But seriously:

At the RAP module (~3"X5"x1", it's case is white, it's tucked up under where your left foot would rest, it has two harnesses going to it, it is accessible without removing any trim, you'll probably partially ruin the 2 plastic to metal connectors holding it in place when you attempt to yank it down but chances are that you'll not ruin it too bad whereby they'll suffice when you go to put it back...if not tie-wrap it up).

To disable the horn (in panic mode only) cut the solid blue wire and tape the ends.

To disable the lights (in panic mode only) cut the light green with yellow stripe wire and tape the ends.

Both wires are in the same harness. Your horn and lights will be unaffected in any other way. Your keyless entry will still work.

Three minor side effects come to mind:
1.) You can set your panic alarm off and not know it...but it will time-out.
2.) You will not hear a horn chirp when you depress the lock key on your fob a second (3rd, 4th, 5th...)time.
3.) There will be no short headlight flash when you depress the lock key on your fob a second (3rd, 4th, 5th...)time if you cut the lt gr/yl wire too!

Also, if you are looking for a free wiring diagram on the internet...good luck!!! They are harder to find than fresh "D-cell" batteries at the Lilith fair!

Enjoy the silence, mend some fences, talk to your neighbors again, brag, blame the manufacturer, service department etc. You will now be a hero. Inflate your chest. Buy batteries!

Also, if you are looking for a free wiring diagram on the internet...good luck!!! They are harder to find than fresh "D-cell" batteries at the Lilith fair!

Enjoy the silence, mend some fences, talk to your neighbors again, brag, blame the manufacturer, service department etc. You will now be a hero. Inflate your chest. Buy batteries!

LOL, nice. Other than it's been a long time since i was last here i do have a wiring chart of the F150/F250 to share of the particular RAP module. Hope this helps. http://home.comcast.net/~willore911/Ford.jpg