1996 Explorer "Supplemental" Alarm System Problems

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jdefelice@gmail.com - 18 May 2006 17:32 GMT

I have a 1996 Explorer XLT with what I'm calling a "supplemental" alarm
system installed. It almost looks like an aftermarket install, but as
far as I can tell it's a Ford alarm, since the remote has the FORD
emblem on it. The remote has 2 buttons: ARM and DISARM. There's also
a small red light mounted on the dashboard behind the turn signal
lever, which flashes red, and a separate siren under the hood on the
firewall. The problem: I recently had the car's battery changed, and
ever since then, the supplemental alarm has activated itself (I
originally had it in some sort of valet mode, where I didn't have to
bother with it -- until now). Now every time I shut off the car, even
for a few minutes, I have to press the DISARM button in order to start
the car. I'd just like to know the procedure to get it either
DISABLED, or put back into valet mode so I don't have to deal with it.
There's no mention of this alarm in the owner's manual, and I'm not the
original owner of the car, so I didn't have it installed. Any help
with this would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks.

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Len Krauss - 21 May 2006 15:40 GMT

I too have a '96 Exploder 4.0L XLT but with the standard anti-theft system,
panic button on the fob, and numeric combo entry pad on driver side door.
There are no "arm/disarm" buttons anywhere, and this security system was
factory installed and listed on the new car window invoice.

A couple days ago I replaced this vehicle's 12V battery (which was quite
weak) with a new one and since then I'm having intermittent incidents of
horn honking alarms. I'll lock the vehicle, go into a store or whatever, and
after 5-10 minutes the horn honking begins for no legitimate reason. This
doesn't happen all the time. It's interesting that only the horn honks --
the head and tail lights do not flash. Putting the key in the ignition and
turning it stops the honking.

When I read your post about this happening after having your battery
changed, I made a connection with my having also installed a new battery.
Sorry to say, I have no fix, but if someone else replies maybe the new
battery issue might be useful in diagnosis.
Len

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> I have a 1996 Explorer XLT with what I'm calling a "supplemental" alarm
> system installed. It almost looks like an aftermarket install, but as
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Thanks.

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Len Krauss - 22 May 2006 18:06 GMT

FWIW, I found that my hood was not fully latched down. After doing so, the
false alarm problem has not reoccurred, but this has only been a couple
days. Not sure if there's a hood sensor, and whether it's tied to security
system, but it seems like a good possibility.

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> I too have a '96 Exploder 4.0L XLT but with the standard anti-theft system,
> panic button on the fob, and numeric combo entry pad on driver side door.
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> >
> > Thanks.

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jdefelice@gmail.com - 22 May 2006 15:34 GMT

... From the Original Poster: I should CLARIFY my description of the
problem with the 'supplemental' alarm system. The alarm 'arms' itself
and needs to be disarmed with the FOB -- as opposed to 'activates
itself', as I originally posted. The alarm does NOT go off falsely --
it actually works as intended. I would just like to know the procedure
of how to put it back into VALET mode, or DISABLE it, so I don't have
to disarm it every time I start the car. Also -- is there a way to
disarm this system without the FOB? If not, and I lose the FOB, it
seems I'll be out of luck, and a car, I guess, since the car will not
start when the system is armed.
Thanks again in advance. By the way, my local Ford dealer was of no
help. They wanted to order me a new alarm module, but then told me
they couldn't, since I was not the ORIGINAL owner of the car (although
I have the DMV title to the car). I thought that was kind of weird.

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