Last week the battery went dead. I came out to go to work and I could hear a tick-tock inside the dash like a grandfather clock, some relay probably. If I opened the doors, the interior lights would flash on/off. The battery was so dead that it simply would not jump start. So I had it towed to Ford where the battery was replaced under warranty (by AAA for the 5 miles to the dealer).

I was camping this weekend and noticed that the alarm system would not activate. The theft LEDs will not light.

I think I have the extra OEM alarm, a bright blue LED in a small black rectangular box mounted next to the hood release.

When armed, the alarm would go off if you used the key to open the door, and the truck would stay dead when you turned the ignition with the key.

The red "theft" light on the dash would flash in sequence with the blue LED.

Right now, the remote still unlocks/locks the doors, the headlights still flash, if I push the button twice the horn honks and the truck still starts just fine. If I reach in thru the window and open the door by the handle, the alarm doesn't sound. None of the "theft" indicater lights flash.

The owner's manual says if the "theft" light flashes rapidly when the ignition is in (I think) position 3, then there is something wrong with it. That's what I have.

I've checked and pulled all associated fuses, all are still fine and look brand new.

Its going to Ford on Friday, with about 500 miles left on warranty.

Any ideas what might be wrong?

Thanks,
Paul Swietek
Apache Junction, AZ
2003 Ford F150 Supercrew XLT 4X2 5.4L