My '02 Excursion had a Ford remote start system installed sometime before I bought it. I've owned the truck 11 years, I never once used it and long ago lost the remote start fob.

The antenna that was behind the mirror was removed several windshield replacements ago. I'm pretty certain the wire was simply cut.

There is still a small PATS Interface Module (1L3Z-19G365-AB) behind the fuse box, and another larger module with a Ford logo on it which I assume to be the remote start module itself. Both are zip-tied up under there.

PATS Interface module:


Larger module:


The connector to the larger module has many wires, including a bundle of 6-7 fuses. One wire even goes to the dash light switch. All of the wire connections under the dash were made with electrical tape.


There is also a small indicator light and even a small push button mounted on the OBD port bracket:




I don't suppose I can just rip all this crap out?

 

No, no, no!

You can't just rip it out.

Someone who's installed an alarm on a vehicle will have to remove it for you and should install a newer alarm while they're in there. If you simply
Rip it out, you could damage a few things and prevent your truck from starting.

Folks at Car Toys, Best Buy, and (Whatever Mobile One is calling itself these days) can help get you and your truck sorted.

 

I figured as much. Too bad, the install looks like a real half-assed job.

 

Half assed install you say?? You might be in luck then.

You got a 50/50 shot that you can rip it right out.

I used to install car alarms many moons ago and basically if the starter interrupt is hooked up on the alarm then you will have issues if you rip it out.

There is a SUPER easy test you can perform that will let you know if you can rip it out or not.

The main alarm module is hooked up via wire harness to the vehicle.

Unplug the wire harness and try to start the truck.

If the truck starts then you can safely rip out the alarm wiring and be done with it.

If the truck does NOT start, the issue is the starter relay wire has been cut in half and wired to go through the alarm. This way if the alarm has been set off, the thieves can't just start the truck and drive off.

HOWEVER, our trucks use the PATS system in the key to prevent starting the engine without a valid key.

Many people installing the alarms (specially half assing) will rely on the PATS to take care of the starting relay and NOT cut the wire under the dash/steering column.

and my 2 cents...don't go to a big box store and get an alarm install unless there is no local car alarm guy in your city. Those local guys usually know their stuff much better and really need your business which will be reflected in your install quality.

 

Sorry but just to clarify, this was a remote start only? I totally read remote start but my brain automatically thought car alarm while I was typing.

There's a higher chance of being able to rip it out successfully if that's the case.

The design for most of these things is so that you can still operate the vehicle if they fail.

 

As far as I know, it was remote start only.

The harness you refer to, I assume that's the plug in the large module?

 

Correct

Pull the plug out and try to start your truck.