Thought I'd post this on this board because it's much more active then the Excursion board and our ignition systems, I believe, are the same. Anyway...
I just bought a used 2001 Excursion through the auction and while hardwiring my Valentine radar detector I found the X has an AutoMate model 552 AutoStart system in it. I do not have any of the remote autostart key fobs for it but do have the factory ones. So I visited my local AutoMate dealer here in northern Ohio to get a new key fob programmed. He was able to program the new key fob to lock and unlock the doors in just a matter of minutes. But the autostart feature was unable to start the car because of Ford's SecuriLock immobilizer, it just cranked but wouldn't fire up. Besides the $75 he wants for the new key fob he also wants 1.5 hours labor to rewire what he says was a shoddy install job and another 1.5 hours to re-code the system to the immobilizer, something about getting access to what's inside the steering column and getting the Auto-Start system to trick the factory system into thinking the key is in the ignition. Just checking to see if this sounds right. Obviously it worked before I bought it. I found the remotes for $45 on the web. And if the instruction manual listed the info on how to do it I would myself. Would it be possible for me to recode a remote and get that system coded for the starter to work? Or am I best off giving the guy what will end up being close to the $200 he wants for a new remote, rewire and coding for autostart to work? Also... since he messed with it yesterday, my door locks engage 5 seconds after I move the key to the on position, regardless if I start it, or whether the doors are open, closed or if it's parked or moving. I foresee locking myself out with it this way. Any way to disable this autolock as soon as the key is turned? It also unlocks when ignition is turned off. Anyone have an AutoMate instruction manual the can copy and fax to me? Anyone have an AutoMate (Viper) starter for that matter? Thanks in advance.

George in Cleveland

 

> I found the remotes for $45 on the web. And the instruction manual listed the info on how to do it I would myself.


I would try this route first. You gotta get the remotes anyway. Might as well see if YOU can make it work.

>Any way to disable this autolock as soon as the key is turned?

This procedure should be listed in your manual. If you need an owner's manual, let me know and I'll dig up the site with them available for download.

 

I've read my owner's manual cover to cover twice now and there is no mention of disabling the lock feature. Could it be because my owner's manual was written for a Canadian version? Again, my truck came out of the auction so the glove box was empty at purchase. The truck is not a grey market it is a USA model I made prior to purchase.

Geo

 

It is listed in the helms repair manual also !
I'm slightly confused as to what you really want to do!(not hard to do to me confuse that is)
the viper auto mate is a seperate control from your( keyless entry or keypad entry module)
If you wish to disable the auto locking feature,here is the procedure.

Auto locking feature locks all doors when, tailgate and all doors are closed and the brake pedal is pressed with ign. sw in run pos and vehicle reachs 5 mph.

Now to disable it using
keyless entry pad
1)enter 5 digit code
2)within 5 seconds press and hold 7/8 button
3)within 5secs of step 2 above hold 7/8 button and press 3/4 button and release it
4)within 5secs of above step release the 7/8 button

If the autolock feature is disabled,the horn will chirp once.
If enabled the horn will chirp a short blast then one longer one!

To do it with the key!
1)Close all doors
2)ign sw in OFF
3)ign sw to run (Note Steps 4- 8 must be done within 30 sec!)
4)Press unlock 3 times!
5)turn ign sw to OFF!
6)Press unlock 3 times !
7)ign sw to run
8)Verify the horn chirps ,this tells you the its ready to except your command!
9)Press unlock once to toggle it to disable the feature!(autolock /relock)OFF!
if you hear a chip of the horn that means the feature is off
10)turn ign sw off to get out of this mode !

Good luck !

Rich

 

Well I tried the above to no avail. No horn chirp. I think this has something to do with the AutoMate Viper autostart system over-riding the factory system. Again, this thing will lock if I simply turn the key to the accessory position even if the doors are open and it's not started, let alone putting foot on brake and moving 5mph. Anyone know of a good car electronics forum on the web?

 

Okay now I understand what you want or got!
I have a viper system on my truck ,but no auto start because its a manual trans.

its my understanding that viper is very dealer oriented and not give out
info to direct customers.you may be at the mercy of a dealer for viper.
I will look at my viper manual and get back to you in a few hrs if their is anything.

Rich

 

Not trying to sellt hem but... Bulldog security makes a really good after market strater and door unlocker. $49.00 at Sam's Club. It is REALLY easy to install, took about all of an hour, that's only because I had to start up the heater in the garage first! Really they can't be easier and they have very good tech support via phone or email. The access to what you need to get it to work is right through that huge opening under your steeering wheel. You can get it all and have it installed for lees than what they want for the remote at the place your talking about. I have installed these on a '90 Dodge Caravan(yech), kids '89 Berretta, '94 Altima, '96 F150 and my SD. By far the easiest was the SD. If you need help send me an email and I'll walk yuo through it, it is really easy...

 

I hate to stear this thread too far off the original topic, and I might just end up starting a new one if I **** too many people off. But I wanted to get some thoughts on Remote Start sytems. I used to have it in my prior vehicle (my Benz) and miss it. (Yes, you did read this right -- I got rid of a Benz for my SD and have never looked back).

My original thought was to replace the factory remote with a whole new system to take care of locking/unlocking the doors as well as starting the vehicle. I thought about doing this because (1) The range on my truck's factory remote (2002 F-250 Lariat 5.4 Super Cab Long Bed) really sucks. I wanted to have the range I used to have with my Viper Remote system on my Benz (sitting in my office, separated by several walls and no less than 50 yards to the spot in the parking lot, the Benz never failed to start) and (2) I like the thought of having 1 keyfob doing both functions instead of 2 of them.

Then again, this is a somewhat expensive proposition; the high-end Viper system I want runs close to $500 installed. I would rather earmark that $$$ for better mods like lifts. Also, I don't think I have the patience to install a complicated system like the Viper. Has anyone come up with a way of getting the advantages of a single remote system but spending a whole lot less?

Also a question for Doug/ke6jcf -- how do you like your remote start? Do you have 2 keyfobs or were you able to stick with only 1? How's your range? Can you reply with your Bulldog's model # and where I can get some info about them on the web?

Thanks guys; your comments are appreciated.

 

Range, depends, they claim 300ft. They also have a unit that they claim will go over 600ft. Yes everything is on one control, that's why I did it. I work on the second floor of a steel and concrete building and it starts from over two hundred feet easy. Someone that knows more about electronics and ambient conditions can probably tell us why on some days it will go for around 400 feet and others you have to beat it over the head with the remote, just kidding. But it does vary. Monster hope you don't get upset with this but...
go to www.bulldogsecurity.com to get more details. I have, like I said, had several of their systems and tried one other. It sucked, I took it out and put in another bulldog. Also the girl friends car is a 2000 Malibu, it has that passive security ^&%! and bulldog had a work around for it that works great. Good luck..

 

I currently have a Viper installed on my 2001 SD. with remote start. I have the antenna running down the left pillar of the windshield. I get a range of 500+ ft sometimes much further. I've used Viper's for a number of years.

However, I'm switching over to an Autopage on Wed 11-13-02 on my 2003 SD. It has a range of up to 600 ft and the remote starter feature with work fine with my 7.3.

The key fobs eliminate the factory ones and the batteries seem to last forever. The whole system installed is $309.00. I also get a set of the custom features allowed and can program them myself.

I love the remote start, wouldn't have it any other way.

Doc

 

 

>Not trying to sellt hem but... Bulldog security makes a
>really good after market strater and door unlocker. $49.00
>at Sam's Club. It is REALLY easy to install, took about all
>of an hour, that's only because I had to start up the heater
>in the garage first! Really they can't be easier and they
>have very good tech support via phone or email. The access
>to what you need to get it to work is right through that
>huge opening under your steeering wheel. You can get it all
>and have it installed for lees than what they want for the
>remote at the place your talking about. I have installed
>these on a '90 Dodge Caravan(yech), kids '89 Berretta, '94
>Altima, '96 F150 and my SD. By far the easiest was the SD.
>If you need help send me an email and I'll walk yuo through
>it, it is really easy...


What model # was that starter you got from Sam's? Thanks.

 

Went to bulldogsecurity and it seems to be
Model RS1200 - RS1200E

Ties is one I havens't tries yet, but it should work for you. It is also the extended range unit.
Doug

 

>Went to bulldogsecurity and it seems to be
>Model RS1200 - RS1200E
>
>

Hey thats the model # of mine, that I just threw against the wall after the Bulldog tech told me he doesn't know why it don't work!


Off to the store for another one, this one lasted 11 months, hope to get the same one so I don't have to re-wire everything again!!
Was perfect untill this morning.

 

Is it common to have to replace that often?