1997 Escort Trunk Release

[rjm65]

I purchased a used 97 Escort from a small dealer that had obtained the car from a bank auction. There was no owners manual in the car. I was looking in the trunk to see if there was a light bulb that would come on when the trunk was opened, no such luck. But I did find a wiring harness going to the lock area of the trunk, and when I removed the plastic guard it had what appeared to be an electric solenoid to open the truck. Now, I can't for the life of me locate the truck release that should be inside the car someplace. Am I just not looking in the right places!?!?!?

Thanks in advance!

[Jet-Lee]

next to the hood release. A little yellow inset button.

[rjm65]

Hood Release is at the very bottom of the instrument panel, just left of center, but nothing else next to it. Is it something you have to push from the bottom up or is it facing outward like the hood release handle?

Originally Posted by Jet-Lee

next to the hood release. A little yellow inset button.

[mlw35405]

Mine is the same way. 97 SE. This is for the trunk release for a REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY. If you have the release, then your car is equipped with the keyless entry system -you need to get a FOB and program it. Mine doesn't have an inside release button either.

[rjm65]

Let me see if I have this straight. Because there is a solenoid on the trunk lock, then I have keyless entry? And if so, is the fob a dealer item and what are the programing steps? Thanks!

Originally Posted by mlw35405

Mine is the same way. 97 SE. This is for the trunk release for a REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY. If you have the release, then your car is equipped with the keyless entry system -you need to get a FOB and program it. Mine doesn't have an inside release button either.

[Jet-Lee]

hmm....news to me. My trunk release ('99 LX) is a yellow button just to the right of the hood release. 'course, I got an LX an ur's is an SE, but that never really makes much difference, I guess it does for this though.

[mlw35405]

You can find one on ebay or you can go to the dealer. Most Ford fobs are the same. If you don't have power locks, most likely you have the driver door only option, which will only lock/unlock the driver door with the Fob. To program: turn ignition switch from OFF to ON eight (nine?) times, ending in the on position. The door(s) will lock and then unlock. Then, press any key on the fob (one on each if you want to program more than one remote), and the doors will lock and then unlock again. The Remote is now programmed.

BTW, you can turn the switch on and off like this and verify which doors have the remote entry feature- either the driver's door or all - because the door will lock and then unlock.

[rjm65]

I do have power door locks all the way around. I'm so glad I asked, and now know I have this feature. Many thanks!!!! Raymond

Originally Posted by mlw35405

You can find one on ebay or you can go to the dealer. Most Ford fobs are the same. If you don't have power locks, most likely you have the driver door only option, which will only lock/unlock the driver door with the Fob. To program: turn ignition switch from OFF to ON eight (nine?) times, ending in the on position. The door(s) will lock and then unlock. Then, press any key on the fob (one on each if you want to program more than one remote), and the doors will lock and then unlock again. The Remote is now programmed.

BTW, you can turn the switch on and off like this and verify which doors have the remote entry feature- either the driver's door or all - because the door will lock and then unlock.

[chevyn0va1]

Originally Posted by Jet-Lee

hmm....news to me. My trunk release ('99 LX) is a yellow button just to the right of the hood release. 'course, I got an LX an ur's is an SE, but that never really makes much difference, I guess it does for this though.

mine is an SE I have the yellow button. 98 and lower doesnt have the button inside if i recall. (try checking the glove box?)