Electrical Question
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Electrical Question
Anyone experience the security system coming on while driving, stopping or starting the vehicle. This mainly occurs when coming to a stop. The horn starts tunking, not really blowing like you were holding it, but as if someone was just quickly tapping the horn button quite fast.. Sometimes, too, the lights flash with the horn tunking. I changed battery in the remote which all seems to function just fine. Ive worked on many cars and trucks but never ran acrossed this. Maybe the alarm system has a shorted wire, could be. Its factory and I havent got into that part of it yet. Just looking to see if anyone has had this happen and what they did to cure it. This is a 96 explorer 4x4. Thanks! Steve
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
I have a 98 limited AWD. I have to keep the steering wheel all the way down or it won't start. Must be related to security because it will crank but not start and it will blink theft on the dash. I learned to live with it and actually see it as a theft deterent. If the bad guy tilts it up, he ain't goin nowhere.lol.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
and wave! Oh, and stay outta the hood!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,808
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I think sorg76F250 is on to something. The horn relay wire as well as the parking light wires from the multifunction switch all run down the steering column. It seems to be a pretty well documented issue that some wires in the steering column are apparently too short and like to pull out of the connector. The horn relay is activated by shorting the trigger wire to ground (could easily happen if the wire is chaffed or loose).
Do the parking lights flash in concert with the horn, or are they both completely random? Does the horn work reliably from the horn pad? Maybe you should try repositioning your steering wheel for test purposes to see if that has an impact. Is it possible a previous owner may have installed an aftermarket alarm system in the truck that you are not aware of?
-Rod
Do the parking lights flash in concert with the horn, or are they both completely random? Does the horn work reliably from the horn pad? Maybe you should try repositioning your steering wheel for test purposes to see if that has an impact. Is it possible a previous owner may have installed an aftermarket alarm system in the truck that you are not aware of?
-Rod
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
The security system, from all indication, is factory. The alarm light comes on when activated just as a stock one would. And when the alarm is activated, the lights blink and horn honks. I'm thinking too, maybe its a sensor within one of the doors, or a wire shorted in the door and acting as if there was forced entry, which causes in effect the same thing, except the way it acts now are much shorter intervals. I haven't had any trouble with it up to this point and have owned it now for 3 years. I will check out the harness and its connections because that also sounds feasible to me. Many electrical problems in cars are in the connectors because they become corroded and begin to lose connection so anything in that line is a possibility. Its a matter of finding it. Thanks for your input.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
on 96 exp the anti theft relay is mounted in the left rear wheel well , where the jack is stored .it is about the size of a pack of cigerettes and has a bar code number on it. you may need a hand mirror to see it . desconnect it and see if this cures your problem.it sounds like a switch is grounding out and energizing the relay .this could be a hood switch, door lock sw., a ignition sw. let us know the result.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
atomicjoe23
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Feb 20, 2009 09:33 PM
