02 explorer lock/start keyless entry

our 2002 explorer xls just started having a problem with the keyless entry & starter/alarm system. when pushing the lock button on the key pad the horn used to beep once. 2 days ago when pushing the lock button, it started beeping 2 times. in addition, it would intermittently not start...turn the key, no noise, no start...a few seconds later try again and it would then start up. the 2 beeps when pushing the lock button is constant, but the no start is intermittent. took it to the ford dealership and their shop technicians & service writers are trying to tell me the 2 beeps is normal for an 02 explorer and perhaps the no start is the result of wife waiting 30 seconds and the alarm becomes engaged....what a crock... i adamantly explained that the 2 years we have had the vehicle when pushing the lock button on the key fob, it only beeps once!...they also say it can not be the key chip because if that is bad then it would not work at all (i think the no start & the lockbutton beeps are related & that it could be related to the key chip) but they are scratching their heads and will research ford manuals & bulletins. any ideas?

on my '02 EB when I hit LOCK on the keyfob it locks the doors, sets the alarm, flashes the lights once but does not beep the horn. if i hit LOCK twice it beeps the horn once.

not sure if that'll help...

Mike

that is how the key fob works on my 03 F150 Supercrew, press the key fob lock button 1 time and doors lock & lights flash once (no horn beep)...press the lock button a 2nd time and the horn beeps once. My understanding is that pushing the button once locks the vehicle and pushing the button a 2nd time (horn beeps once) alarms the vehicle...now with my 02 Explorer, here is what i have been told by my dealership although i'm still a little less than totally confident in their explanations: the little red light on the dashboard is actually a valet switch....a steady red light indicates the alarm is set or enabled, so that pressing the lock button on the key fob will lock doors, flash lights once and beep horn twice (indicating alarm is set) ...it allows the vehicle to be opened by key (or unlock button on fob) and if the key is not inserted in the ignition and turned w/in ~30-60 seconds the passive start feature of the anti-theft/alarm system will not allow the key to start the vehicle...now then, a flashing red light indicates system is in valet mode so that pressing the lock button on the key fob will lock doors, flash lights once and beep horn only once (indicating valet mode)meaning the alarm is off, the vehicle can be opened w/key or fob and started w/ the key (passive anti-theft system is not on). It is not explained in the owner's manual and slightly different on different models, but sounds reasonable for the time being until we have problems again. ..i hope this helps anyone else that may be having similar problems with their keyfob locking syatem.

1. When the horn chirps twice when locking with the wireless key fob, it means that a door or window is detected as open or partially open.
2. The Explorer has a battery saver that turns off the dome lights and entry courtesy lights to keep the battery from becoming discharged. If it is activated, you turn on the key once and nothing happens, next time your vehicle starts. That is what you are seeing.
Therefore, I think that what is happening is that a door is being detected as being open (possibly it is or it has a faulty switch) so a dome light is staying on and the battery minder is kicking in to save your battery. If you can find out which door switch, you will no longer get the chirp and not see the other symptom. This is all covered in the factory owner's manual.