Hello. I just recently signed up to this forum, and have an issue that hopefully someone can help me with.

I have a 1996 Explorer XLT with what I'm calling a "supplemental" alarm
system installed. It almost looks like an aftermarket install, but as
far as I can tell it's a Ford alarm, since the remote has the FORD
emblem on it. The remote has 2 buttons: ARM and DISARM. There's also
a small round light (which may also be a button??) mounted on the dashboard behind the turn signal lever, which flashes red, and a separate siren under the hood on the firewall. There also seems to be a small white button hanging underneath the steering column which I was told may have something to do with this alarm. The problem: I recently had the car's battery changed, and ever since then, the supplemental alarm arms itself (I originally had it in some sort of valet mode, where I didn't have to bother with it -- until now). Now every time I shut off the car, even for a few minutes, I have to press the DISARM button in order to start the car. I'd just like to know the procedure to get it either DISABLED, or put back into valet mode so I don't have to deal with it. There's no mention of this alarm in the owner's manual, and I'm not the original owner of the car, so I didn't have it installed. Any help with this would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

Welcome to FTE JDefel!


I remember Ford having a secondary alram they sold a few years ago, but I haven't found any paperwork on it. Seems like DEI made it for them, but don't quote me on that. I will keep looking around for some info and hopefully someone else will have the same system and might have some paperwork on them.


It will either be a valet switch somewhere like a toggle switch or a switch on the alarm brain, or it will be a button sequence that you have to push.

 

Thanks -- any info. would be helpful -- and appreciated. The car runs GREAT -- 122K miles -- bought it from a family member a few years ago as a 3rd vehicle, and no real problems except for this alarm -- which works as intended, but way too well. As I mentioned, the disarm button now needs to be pressed EVERY TIME I go to start the car, even if it's off for only a few minutes. If I could just get my hands on literature on how to either disarm or put it back into valet, things would be great.

JD.

 

I've got the same exact system in my 96 Explorer. I can't be of too much help, as I don't have any documentation for it either. However, I do recall just experimenting with the buttons (on the steering column, not the FOB) and ignition on/off. One example, KOIO, press and hold button, KO; that put the alarm in valet mode. It was about two years ago when I did this (bought it used), and don't recall exactly what I did. I am dreading the day when I have to replace the battery, and have to go through this again.

If you do experiment with it, perhaps you could keep track of what you did, and post it here when done. I'm sure there are others out there who would benefit.

Tim