Escort starting problems

[jaykayk]

Does anyone know if the 97 Escort LX sedan has some kind of factory anti-theft thing that keeps the car from starting when triggered? My daughter had been showing her friends her car the other day (I just got it for her a couple of weeks ago). She was showing them the remote with the panic button and all. She said that when she got in the car "thief" was lit on the dash. She didn't start it then. But today when she tried to start it it wouldn't start. You turn the key over and all you hear is a click. Everything lights on the dash (no theif light this time), it's not the battery, I wouldn't think it would be the ignition. So I'm wondering if she triggered something. And if she did...how do I UN-trigger it?

I would appreciate any help anyone could give me.!!

[Davescort97]

I personally don't know anything about the anti-theft system. I do have information about it from the factory service manual.


An untriggered system can be disarmed by turning the ignition switch to on or by pressing UNLOCK on the remote. A triggered system (hood, trunk or door opened) can be disarmed by turning the ignition switch to on or by pressing the UNLOCK or PANIC button on the remote. Make sure the doors, hood and trunk are shut or the system will be triggered into theft mode. Here is what the manual says:

If a door is open, the anti-theft system is prearmed and waiting for all doors to be closed. The THEFT
indicator will remain lighted for up to 30 minutes waiting for all doors to be closed. If a door remains open after 30 minutes, the THEFT light will turn off and the system will return to a disarmed state. After all doors are closed and the 30 second prearm(theft light on for 30 seconds) the system is armed. The system will be armed when the LOCK button on the remote is pressed and 30 seconds have gone by. When the system is armed, the THEFT light will flash quickly until the system is triggered or disarmed. The system will be triggered if the trunk, hood or any door is opened using a key, inside door handle, hood release etc. There is a starter cutout that occurs when the system is triggered. A triggered system can be disarmed by pressing the UNLOCK or PANIC button on the remote or by turning the ignition switch to ON. You say the starter just clicks. Are you sure your battery is fully charged. When the system is triggered your parking lights will flash until the system is disarmed. This could run-down your battery. This information is from the factory service manual. I myself know very little about the anti-theft systems. I hope you get your problem solved.