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Hello guys, new here, but I've been following and have read many threads here and ready to contribute.
I own a 2003 ford E-350 Super duty XLT passenger van
The van has power windows, power door locks, power mirrors and etc.
I'm trying to figure out if my van has a VSM.
I called ford dealers and they say they cannot check by VIN due to it being older.
I've been banging my head trying to search for where it might be.
I've had the ENTIRE ignition taken apart because the van was attempted to be stolen from the previous owner so I had to replace all of it, also had most of the dash gutted before for some custom wiring I had to do for a rear backup cam, wiring some diodes, 7 pin tow wiring, custom stereo install and some other stuff. Needles to say, while I was doing all that I was searching for the module.
Currently I have the side wall by the driver B pillar semi gutted and also passenger A pillar.
Where can this module possibly be?
Or where can the connectors be located?
If the module is missing but the connectors are present, can a plug and play kit be bought?
I'm just trying my van to have keyless entry.
Thank you! Any help or advice will be strongly appreciated.
The VIN should be useful determining whether your chassis was factory equipped with factory installed VSM and/or RKE.
If your van once had RKE it would be located as shown here:
This location would be consistent in any body configuration, so the Club Wagon would be located similarly, If this module was removed the connectors would be in place close by.
If RKE is desired the only practical way installing such a system is via an aftermarket alarm system with programmable features such as RKE.
The VIN should be useful determining whether your chassis was factory equipped with factory installed VSM and/or RKE.
If your van once had RKE it would be located as shown here:
This location would be consistent in any body configuration, so the Club Wagon would be located similarly, If this module was removed the connectors would be in place close by.
If RKE is desired the only practical way installing such a system is via an aftermarket alarm system with programmable features such as RKE.
Thank you, I did not find any module there.
How would the connectors look like?
There are a few connectors there and 1 connector that does not go anywhere.
Im little new to security features, whats the difference between the RKE and VSM? I know that RKE is remote keyless entry and VSM is vehicle security module. But what's the difference?
Call a different dealer
Leave it stock
The exception.. the backup camera
Diodes? Might as well add an emulator too
I"ll try calling a different one, possibly out of state. I am trying to leave it stock, but I'd like the van to have keyless entry and possibly a decent alarm. The city I live in has one of top most stolen vehicles in the nation and this van was attempted to be stolen once before.
What stopped it from being driven away? The owner had a brake lock. The thief completely demolished the ignition and the driver door lock.
And yes haha diodes, the van is a e350 and I use it to travel with my 4500lb travel trailer. The 2 diodes I attempted to wire, was to a switch so that I can access the backup camera while vehicle is in motion.
Another easy way to verify if a Ford has factory keyless entry is to open programming mode and see if it responds.
1: Open the drivers door.
2: Push the unlock button on the drivers door panel. (not always necessary)
3: Cycle the key in the ignition from off to run eight times rapidly (within ten seconds) ending in the run position.
4: If the door locks cycle from lock to unlock, it has entered programming mode and you have confirmed it has factory keyless entry.
5: If you happen to have remotes present, press any button on the remote(s) to program, the door locks should cycle indicating the remote has been learned.
6: Turn the key to the off position to close program mode. Locks should cycle one last time indicating programming mode has closed.
Another easy way to verify if a Ford has factory keyless entry is to open programming mode and see if it responds.
1: Open the drivers door.
2: Push the unlock button on the drivers door panel. (not always necessary)
3: Cycle the key in the ignition from off to run eight times rapidly (within ten seconds) ending in the run position.
4: If the door locks cycle from lock to unlock, it has entered programming mode and you have confirmed it has factory keyless entry.
5: If you happen to have remotes present, press any button on the remote(s) to program, the door locks should cycle indicating the remote has been learned.
6: Turn the key to the off position to close program mode. Locks should cycle one last time indicating programming mode has closed.
I tried that before with no luck.
Also I just searched for the module where its supposed to technically be and its missing.
I'm also trying to find out how the connectors look like, maybe I can buy a plug and play kit or maybe an OEM module.
Thank you, I did not find any module there.
How would the connectors look like?
There are a few connectors there and 1 connector that does not go anywhere.
Im little new to security features, whats the difference between the RKE and VSM? I know that RKE is remote keyless entry and VSM is vehicle security module. But what's the difference?
From your images you don't have the necessary connectors and wiring harness for factory RKE (Remote Keyless Entry), The module is part of that system, can exist with or without other Ford installed devices such as a VSM. I don't recall many if any VSM's installed in the E-Series.
I had a 2003 E-250 with RKE but built my own integration circuit to allow an aftermarket alarm system to operate it. Apart from that trigger I never used the factory fobs that came with the van when I bought it slightly used.
From your images you don't have the necessary connectors and wiring harness for factory RKE (Remote Keyless Entry), The module is part of that system, can exist with or without other Ford installed devices such as a VSM. I don't recall many if any VSM's installed in the E-Series.
I had a 2003 E-250 with RKE but built my own integration circuit to allow an aftermarket alarm system to operate it. Apart from that trigger I never used the factory fobs that came with the van when I bought it slightly used.
what can I do in my case? I doesn't have to be all original.
I don’t think anyone here has retrofitted factory RKE. Too much involved.
Many aftermarket RKE kits have built-in relays to support the daisy chained door lock switches in these vans. They have instructions to tap into this wire or tap into that wire or cut a bunch of wires. It’s the cut a bunch of wires option.
On some cars you can install an actuator in the driver door but power locks in these vans aren’t triggered by moving the lock button rods.
I don’t think anyone here has retrofitted factory RKE. Too much involved.
Many aftermarket RKE kits have built-in relays to support the daisy chained door lock switches in these vans. They have instructions to tap into this wire or tap into that wire or cut a bunch of wires. It’s the cut a bunch of wires option.
On some cars you can install an actuator in the driver door but power locks in these vans aren’t triggered by moving the lock button rods.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 183K miles
thank you, I don't really care about original or not, I thought if I can find all the plugs and buy an original plug and play.
But I guess its not an option, is there one you can recommend? After market is totally fine
thank you
You're already been advised fitting factory RKE to a vehicle not originally equipped with that system is neigh on impossible.
Look into an aftermarket car alarm---most of those today include some sort of RKE option. I've done this since 2008, when adding this feature I did construct the additional stand alone relay circuit that's integrated into the alarm "brain". They should have their own circuit for triggering factory PDL's which you construct yourself.
Integrating all that into the factory PDL system is relatively easy which isn't difficult assuming you have some degree of familiarity with Ford's circuits for that option. Such a schematic might be found online under "5 wire reversal, rest at ground"---its rather common in the car alarm business.
You're already been advised fitting factory RKE to a vehicle not originally equipped with that system is neigh on impossible.
Look into an aftermarket car alarm---most of those today include some sort of RKE option. I've done this since 2008, when adding this feature I did construct the additional stand alone relay circuit that's integrated into the alarm "brain". They should have their own circuit for triggering factory PDL's which you construct yourself.
Integrating all that into the factory PDL system is relatively easy which isn't difficult assuming you have some degree of familiarity with Ford's circuits for that option. Such a schematic might be found online under "5 wire reversal, rest at ground"---its rather common in the car alarm business.
ok, I got a bit confused. My bad.
I am now getting what you're saying, I'll just wire an aftermarket RKE. They are fairly cheap.
Now question, Is there only one factory plug? (The gray plug with 5 wires) or are there multiple plugs I need to be worried about? Also am I safe to just splice that gray plug? There looks to be to some type of wire loop at the end.
It’s tight by the park brake pedal where those wires are possibly most easily accessed. My grand plan is to get a pair of connectors that match the door harness from a wrecking yard then splice into that so I don’t have to cut wires. I would just tap into this wire and that wire if it were a simpler installation.
I wired my aftermarket alarm "brain" into the PDL connector inside the driver's side B-Pillar at its base. Obtain whatever alarm you want to use and plan the installation based upon its schematic. I would advise trying to find a factory EVTM or book of wiring diagrams---those have been invaluable for me, have owned one for each of the 4 different E-Series I've owned. Unfortunately they are becoming in short supply, those on my go-to source eBay are moving upwards price wise BUT they're no longer in print so the price is the price.
Here's one I found not outrageously price but I'd contact the seller to be certain its a Ford authorized manual: 2003 EVTM Alternately you MIGHT have good lucking using an EVTM from 2002 or 2004 but these tend to be very year specific---Ford is know to change things from year to year especially electrically. I highly recommend having one of these.
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Any help or advice will be strongly appreciated.
