I have a 99' Expy with a Viper 550 ESP remote starter alarm system, I have had the alarm in for 4 years and never had a problem. I have spent the last 2 1/2 hours looking for answers and no luck so here I go. The other day the power went out at my house, I have a portable converter( I think thats what it's called) anyway I conected it to the battery of the Expy to get some light from a lamp, after a while I thought I would start the Expy using the remote starter so I won't drain the battery, wouldn't start got in the expedetion and I noticed the theft indicator flashing, also the off on the overdrive was lit. I disconnected the battery and waited for 30 mins. Nothing so I left it for the morning. Next day I get into the vehicle and put the key in and the theft light and the overdrive light went off. Started right up. I went and took a drive and came back turn the vehicle off and didn't get back in for a couple of hours. When I got back in the same thing happened theft and overdrive light came on theft flashing like crazy, overdrive light stays on. Checked the alarm and noticed the transponder bypass P/N 555F being used, looked under the steering column and the transponder wires weren't connected, tried to reconnect and problem still there. Now, I beleive that this is for remote starting, I deactivate the alarm system and the theft indicator still flashes and it won't allow me to start the expedetion, can anyone help me. I read that the starter relay could be a problem is this true?

 

OK This is what happened next. I disconnect the battery for 20 minutes then reconnect it, then I take off the steering column and placed the key on the ring that reads the key without inserting the key. Insert the key and turn the switch and the theft indicator stops flashing after a few cranks it starts right up. I let if run for a few minutes and turn it off and tried with the spare and starts right up.
Next morning the theft indicator starts flashing again but after a few wiggles it starts up, I go to work and everything is fine up to this point on my lunch break I go out to see if it starts, the theft indicator flashes for a quick second and then it stops starts right up let run for 15mins and I turn it off and I go back to work 4 hours later I get out and I put in the key and it starts flashing again this time it took a few wiggles to turn off then it finally turns off and when I go to start it it won't start it freakin turns but it won't start I checked the fuel line in the engine compartment and theres no gas going into the injectors. The fuel pump is about 11/2 years old it couldn't have gone yet could it? I need Help fast can some one help before I have to take it to the STEALERSHIP.

 

All of the above happened Monday and Tuesday, today I get to work and my Expedetion and try to start it, the theft indicator did not flash but it still didn't start up need help. By the way I had to leave my Expedetion in the parking lot.

 

How olds the battery?? May have enuff juice to start but it may be causing the problems when your expy isn't running... Just a thought... Mine was acting kinda like yours and a new battery took care of it immediately..

 

Yeah the battery is about three weeks old, its a Optima so I don't think it's the battery.

 

You know, there are quite a few STEALERSHIP technicians who offer advice here on the forum, and I just bet the quickest way to get them to ignore you is to call them thieves.... IMHO

 

Is that directed at me Homer? You know something I don't feel free to let me know will ya?? If not I'll retract it..

 

I would remove the entire aftermarket alarm system, remove the battery and reset the computer, then see what happens. If your alarm cuts off the fuel then that needs to be reset too. Just break everything down to parade rest and start over.

As far as the comment about the stealership, the techs who work there know as well as anyone that the customer service, outrageous pricing, and general inconvinience is not worth taking your car back to the dealership unless it's a warranty issue. It's not like the mechanics at a dealership are any more trained or qualified than a mechanic at a indepedent shop. The general lack of interest or caring is what turns people off from most dealerships, and rediculous pricing and hassling over warranty work is why people call them thieves. Besides, that aint got nothing to do with the mechanics, it's the service writers who are usually the problem.