98 taurus remote

[drudremama]

do all 98 tauruses have remotes I bought one with powered locks and the book mentions a remote but I did not get a remote. can someone tell me was I suppose to.

[sfontain]

Originally Posted by drudremama

do all 98 tauruses have remotes I bought one with powered locks and the book mentions a remote but I did not get a remote. can someone tell me was I suppose to.

No, they don't all have it.

Look in your manual for instructions on programming the remote--I believe it will be the same as my 2002, but check to make sure.

On my car, you put your key in the ignition. Cycle the key from OFF to ON 8 times in 10 seconds, ending in the ON position, without starting the engine. If the doors don't automatically lock/unlock upon the 8th time, you don't have the remote entry module.
If they do, you can buy remotes fairly inexpensively, probably $10-$20 each. Check out eBay.

[drudremama]

Originally Posted by sfontain

No, they don't all have it.

Look in your manual for instructions on programming the remote--I believe it will be the same as my 2002, but check to make sure.

On my car, you put your key in the ignition. Cycle the key from OFF to ON 8 times in 10 seconds, ending in the ON position, without starting the engine. If the doors don't automatically lock/unlock upon the 8th time, you don't have the remote entry module.
If they do, you can buy remotes fairly inexpensively, probably $10-$20 each. Check out eBay.

Well the book mentions different things and says if is is equipped but on remotes it just tells you how to set it if you lose one it is turning on and off 5 times within 10 seconds

[sfontain]

What did I just tell you? Read the post I took the time to type out.

For the second time, do the procedure in the book for programming the remotes. If the locks engage, it means your car is equipped with the keyless entry module. If they don't, you don't have it.

[drudremama]

Originally Posted by sfontain

What did I just tell you? Read the post I took the time to type out.

For the second time, do the procedure in the book for programming the remotes. If the locks engage, it means your car is equipped with the keyless entry module. If they don't, you don't have it.

U did not have to get ugly I was just saying that I had read the book and everything else that it could possible come with it said if equipped.

[loobett]

Originally Posted by sfontain

No, they don't all have it.

Look in your manual for instructions on programming the remote--I believe it will be the same as my 2002, but check to make sure.

On my car, you put your key in the ignition. Cycle the key from OFF to ON 8 times in 10 seconds, ending in the ON position, without starting the engine. If the doors don't automatically lock/unlock upon the 8th time, you don't have the remote entry module.
If they do, you can buy remotes fairly inexpensively, probably $10-$20 each. Check out eBay.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE REMOTE ENTRY MODULE IS LOCATED?

[shorod]

Originally Posted by loobett

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE REMOTE ENTRY MODULE IS LOCATED?

Ahhh, WHAT'S WITH ALL THE YELLING!?!

On the 1998 Taurus, the Remote Anti-Theft Personality (RAP) module is located below the dash somewhat above the accelerator pedal. There will be two connectors plugged in to it and if you have the keypad on the driver's door, there will likely be a sticker with your 5-digit keyless entry code.

The Generic Electronic Module (GEM) also deals with the keyless entry and power locks. The GEM module is located between the instrument panel fuse box and the firewall under the dash.

-Rod

[loobett]

Originally Posted by shorod

Ahhh, WHAT'S WITH ALL THE YELLING!?!

On the 1998 Taurus, the Remote Anti-Theft Personality (RAP) module is located below the dash somewhat above the accelerator pedal. There will be two connectors plugged in to it and if you have the keypad on the driver's door, there will likely be a sticker with your 5-digit keyless entry code.

The Generic Electronic Module (GEM) also deals with the keyless entry and power locks. The GEM module is located between the instrument panel fuse box and the firewall under the dash.

-Rod

Thanks. I've heard that settings or configurations need to be downloaded into the GEM if I replaced it. I wanted to be as economical as possible and pick up a used GEM and install it myself to bypass all the outrageous dealer charges. Sounds like I need to go to the dealer anyway; or can I just replace a GEM and be done with the job? Can I buy a used GEM and have the dealership download configurations into it or do I need to buy a new GEM and pay exorbitant prices? By the way I tried replacing the ignition switch and that wasn't the problem. So I'm guessing the GEM is the problem beacause the RAP wouldn't affect the goofy radio problem, right? Or do I have ashort somewhere perhaps? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just frustrated with my car right now and want to get to the bottom of the problem. Thanks again.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by loobett

Thanks. I've heard that settings or configurations need to be downloaded into the GEM if I replaced it. I wanted to be as economical as possible and pick up a used GEM and install it myself to bypass all the outrageous dealer charges. Sounds like I need to go to the dealer anyway; or can I just replace a GEM and be done with the job? Can I buy a used GEM and have the dealership download configurations into it or do I need to buy a new GEM and pay exorbitant prices? By the way I tried replacing the ignition switch and that wasn't the problem. So I'm guessing the GEM is the problem beacause the RAP wouldn't affect the goofy radio problem, right? Or do I have ashort somewhere perhaps? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just frustrated with my car right now and want to get to the bottom of the problem. Thanks again.

Not really sure on any of your questions here. I believe you could buy a used GEM and get it reprogrammed, but you'd have to convince a dealer to download the settings from your current GEM (assuming it will communicate well enough for them to download settings) and load them into a used module that they are not making money on. Fortunately I've never had a problem like you describe, or read about others having similar problems, so I'm not sure how likely it is that a good GEM will fix your problem. There is always a possibility that you have a short somewhere. You don't have a problem with the door ajar light coming on unexpectedly or the interior lights staying on do you? If so, your radio problem could be due to a bad door pin switch, which is a common problem in the Taurus.

-Rod

[loobett]

Originally Posted by shorod

Not really sure on any of your questions here. I believe you could buy a used GEM and get it reprogrammed, but you'd have to convince a dealer to download the settings from your current GEM (assuming it will communicate well enough for them to download settings) and load them into a used module that they are not making money on. Fortunately I've never had a problem like you describe, or read about others having similar problems, so I'm not sure how likely it is that a good GEM will fix your problem. There is always a possibility that you have a short somewhere. You don't have a problem with the door ajar light coming on unexpectedly or the interior lights staying on do you? If so, your radio problem could be due to a bad door pin switch, which is a common problem in the Taurus.

-Rod

I used to have a problem with the door and lights. Many people suggested spraying WD-40 into the latch and that fixed the problem for good. Now it just seems like the lock/unlock motor responds a little slow. Maybe it's about time to sell. Funny thing is I JUST paid off the car 2 weeks ago! My parking brake light comes on periodically while driving, but could that possibly be from a bad parking brake sensor(if that even exists) or cable adjustment?

[shorod]

Originally Posted by loobett

I used to have a problem with the door and lights. Many people suggested spraying WD-40 into the latch and that fixed the problem for good. Now it just seems like the lock/unlock motor responds a little slow. Maybe it's about time to sell. Funny thing is I JUST paid off the car 2 weeks ago! My parking brake light comes on periodically while driving, but could that possibly be from a bad parking brake sensor(if that even exists) or cable adjustment?

I disagree with the recommendation to use WD-40 to fix an electrical part. WD-40 is NOT an electrical parts cleaner. Sure, it displaces water, but that does not equate to electrical cleaner. There are sprays available for cleaning electrical parts. If you have it available, I highly recommend Caig brand De-Oxit to clean the switch contacts followed by an application of Caig brand Preserv-It. These products are often sold by quality electronic supply shops (ie: not Radio Shack). [Stepping off my soap box]

Since you have used WD-40, you very well could have a situation where the WD-40 has picked up dust and dirt which has caked up in the lock/latch mechanism, causing the lock solenoids to strain to move the linkage. I would suggest taking the door apart, removing the latch, and cleaning the latch and linkage, then using a proper electrical contact cleaner with the switch (or replacing the switch/latch) and see where that gets you.

As for the "brake" light, you could be low on fluid in your master cylinder reservoir. The same "brake" light is used for the fluid level and the parking brake. If your reservoir is low on fluid, don't just fill it up, find out why it is low. Are your brake pads at the end of their life, causing the caliper pistons to extend so much that fluid is filling the cylinder rather than the reservoir? Do you have a leaky wheel cylinder (if you have rear drum brakes)? If you have a low fluid level in your master cylinder, it is not because the fluid is evaporating, the fluid instead is going somewhere.

-Rod

[fragmore]

Get out your owners manual. Look on page 46,approximately. It will tell you how to program your remote, whicj is really simple.