2004: Sport Trac Alarm Question.. Need Quik Reply.. please :)

[Towncar]

Hi Guys,
We just got a 2004 Sport Trac XLT for the wife, she loves it so far. I'm sure she'll have a fit later when the gas prices start haunting her.

Anyway, we have an alarm question. I have several other vehicles with the Factory Installed Alarm systems installed. On all my other cars, when I open a door with the alarm activated, the horn blasts, external lamps flash, and internal lamps light.

With this Sport Trac, it does nothing when I pop a door open, alarm activated.
Is this normal? Is the alarm system not connected to the horn and lamps?

I do this test with the drivers window open so that I can reach in and open the door.

Here's what concerns me, the shop where we got it says they added an aftermarket alarm system that they'll be happy to leave in and sell us for $700. We says, $700 Thats nutz, the car has a factory security system installed, we wont need to spend another $700, take it out!!

My concern is that they cut some wires, or otherwise disabled the factory system when they removed the aftermarket thing.

If someone here can describe the way the 2004 Security system works I'd appreciate that very much. I'm sure it's written in the FSM or Owners Manual, but we don't have either of those yet.

Thanks,
Steven

[shorod]

Per the factory service manual:

"Principles of Operation

"The perimeter alarm uses the door, hood, liftgate and liftgate glass ajar switches. This feature provides an audible and visual alarm at the exterior of the vehicle when unauthorized access to the vehicle is detected. The arming of the perimeter feature is initiated when a lock request is received from the customer while the ignition switch is in the OFF/ACC position. This may be obtained front any of the following sources: 1) driver door lock cylinder, 2) remote lock command, 3) any trim panel switch if any from or liftgate door is open (as long as the smart unlocking feature is not activated) or 4) keypad command (when keypad option is available). Once all the doors, hood and liftgate are closed, the parking lamps will flash to signify that all trigger inputs have entered the pre-arm phase.

"When pre-armed, armed, or active, the perimeter alarm feature will disarm during on of the following events:

"l request from a keyfob or keypad to unlock the vehicle, independent of ignition status.

"l a door key requests alarm disarming (RESET).

"l the ignition transitions to RUN/START.

"When the perimeter alarm feature is armed, the alarm will activate during one of the following events:

"l any door/liftgate becomes ajar.

"l the hood becomes ajar.

"The deactivation of an active alarm is accomplished by:

"l request from a remote keyfob for a PANIC alarm.

"l five minuets elapsing since the alarm was activated.

"The central security module also uses the autolock/relock feature to prevent theft of the vehicle. For additional information on the autolock/relock system, refer to «Section 501-14».

"The door disarm switch is attached to the driver door lock cylinder. The door disarm switch must be triggered before the mechanical lock unlocks. This is to prevent the anti-theft alarm from activating when it should have been disarmed.

"The central security module controls the anti-theft system and the keyless entry system. The central security module communicates with the generic electronic module (GEM) to request that the interior lights be turned on/off with use of the keyless entry remote transmitter, and with the GEM to inform when the door is opened.

"The central security module communicates the status of each ajar switch to the GEM. The liftgate ajar switch and the liftgate glass ajar switch are wired in series. The central security module cannot distinguish between the two ajar switches."

I'm not sure what the exit delay is. Have you waited for 5 minutes before trying to open the door from the open window?

-Rod

[denisb]

There is an exit delay. I'll have to check on my X, but if memory serves me right on my Taurus the theft light in the cluster had either a different flash, became solid or vice versa when the alarm armed once the exit delay was reached.

Denis

[Towncar]

No I didn't wait any length of time, nor did I wait till that 'theft' light changed it's flashing mode.

On the 96 Town Car (not really related I suppose) I get immediate alarm under this test.

I'll try the wait (time and lamp flash) prior to opening the door to see if that gives a different result.

Thanks for jumping in here!!