Sorry guys/gals for the limited info but i'm hoping y'all can help. About a year and a half ago I bought our 2003 Expediton EB. I bought it used from a KIA dealership, stop laughing. Anyways, being used all I got with it was 2 keys and one FOB (I think it's FORD's for the door locks.)

So, just this weekend (real cold snap here in southern ONT.) It would not start. Battery seemed OK but I gave it a good charge anyways - NO GO. Got it to my mechanic who seems to think it is an aftermarket remote starter/security system causing the problem. I of course did not put it in and have no record of what it is, who put it in, or what type it is.

Here 's what I know. There is a large RED LED center dash about the size of a nickel. It's always flashimg while doors locked. I've always assumed this was FORD's. There is a small RED LED by the driver's left knee along with a vallet switch. There is what appears to be a receiver right behind the rear view mirror. It has a small black box about 2"x2" with a small attenna projecting from each side of the box about 4" long.

My mechanic unplugged the wiring harness from the main control box under the dash, plugged it back in and it started.

I'm going down to pick up my truck now but wish to avoid future problems. I don't really care if I can use the starter/security or not. So should I look to remove the stuff, get FOBs (if possible) and see if I can use it, do nothing and hope for the best??????????

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated. I'm not even sure if I am looking at FORD's stuff, after market or both.

Thanks again.

 

It sounds like you didn't have any issues with it until the cold snap hit. That being the case, I would leave it alone and wait to see if it happens again. This might've just been a fluke. But if it happens again, just unplug the harness, or pull the fuse to reset the unit. I've had issues with mine when the temperature drops below 15 degrees outside, but as soon as it warms up a bit the unit is back to it's old self.

 

A little more info now. My mechanic stated when he went to start it first time, the small (non-Ford) LED was flashing. Also, this weekend, I was at the home Depot and picked up some trim that was a little too long for the Expy's interior so I stuck it out of the passenger side window just a few inches. When I got home, I took the trim out but forgot to put the window back up which in turn stayed down for the rest of the weekend until I went to start it.

I also now know there IS a remote starter in the car which must also have a ignition-kill feature. Why the 2nd alarm "activated" i.e. the LED was flashing I don't know, I've never seen that before.

 

I think you should try to figure out the manufacturer and model of the system you have (look on the control box for any info) and see if you can't get an owners manual for it so you can understand how it works. If you can't find any info on the control box, go to a car stereo/security system installer in your area and see if they can't identify it for you.

 

The box behind the rear-view sounds like the sensor for the compass. I have an 03 EB also (bought new) but the box doesn't have any antennas on it as you describe. We had the dealer install a security system. Not sure of the make/model etc but it has a small flashing red LED that doubles as the valet switch in the lower part of the trim surrounding the steering wheel - left side. The thing will auto-arm itself after 30-45 sec or so (even if the doors are unlocked) and cannot be started unless the remote entry is clicked. This sounds similar to your EB without the remote start.
Replacement entry fobs are available on ebay. I found one and was preparing to buy when I noticed the phone # was local. It's a small hole-in-the-wall co specializing in replacement fobs and were located ~5 min from my house. Bought it in person and they programmed it for me.

 

If you could post a picture I think I would be able to tell you right away if its a ford unit. From your decription it kinda sounds like a ford unit.

 

Just a follow up to this. The Expy was at my local Ford store yesterday for some service and the technician identified the unit as a FORD remote car starter. The only FOB provided to me by the delaership from where I bought the Expy is a standard 4 button and does not have a button for car start. just lock, unlock, panic, and hatch (I think). Is there a separate FOB for the remote starter. Does anyone have this gen. of Expy with FORD remote start?

Thanks.

 

Yeah, thats the standard fob, you can keep that one and it will work. However, There is a different fob for the remote start, It has "lock", "unlock", "start" (a blue button with a pic of a key on it), and "panic". The remote start fob is just a little bigger. If you get the remote start fob, you can discontinue using the standard one. Do not try and use both, because if you lock the the car with the remote start fob it will arm the alarm. Then ONLY a remote start fob will disarm it. If you use the standard fob, the alarm system thinks the lock was jimmied open and you will hear the LOUDEST most ANNOYING car alarm ever. (Very effective). So if your going to get a remote start fob, stick to using just those. Its a pretty nice system and I use mine regularly.

 

I love my Remote Start it works great but I had my mechanic put it in it's a VIPER! I picked it out cause I wanted the visual FOB so I can see if it beeps when the alarm goes off Like if something hit the windshield or if a door was opened it would show! & best of all using the Remote Start on Icy snowy days I leave my defrost/heat on so this way some of the snow melts off & the windows are kinda defrosted & nice & toasty warm I can go from the house to my EXPY w/o wearing a heavy coat or freeze before the heat kicks on warm enough! The last snowstorm we had my neighbor was outside scraping her icy windows & she's just watching how the sun melted mine before I even leave my house! I said nope I love my remote start!

In the summertime the AC cools off the EXPY so it's a comfy temp!

The Viper remote start FOB I have to press 2 buttons to start the EXPY LOCK & UNLOCK @ the same time!

It's really kewl I also have a BlackBerry Tour & there's an app for VIPER REMOTE STARTERS so soon I will get that it's FREE for the 1st year! I can virtually unlock my door for remote start the EXPY from anywhere

Yes! Using the original FORD FOB which unlocks & locks the doors I would still have to use the Viper Remote! Because the alarm would sound!

Same thing w/keyless entry I use this for the fact just incase I ever lock my doors by accident leaving my keys on the seat when getting out in a hurry! (My mechanic has done this several times then he'd call & ask for the spare remote) Can be stressfull enough! As that saying goes if you don't use it you lose it! So to keep the code fresh in my head I use it every so often! Which also means there are days where my Viper remote's battery is just about dead & won't work so to keep me from being stranded somewhere I keep extra AAA batteries in the EXPY they fit in the overhead compartment sunglass holder (which I never use for that) so as long as I know my code or just use my key the alarm will sound until I replace the battery & listen to the tunes as it resets the remote watching all the things light up! Then I'm good to go!

My BFF is jealous of my Viper she has an Explorer newer than my EXPY but didn't get Remote start!

 

I love my Remote Start it works great but I had my mechanic put it in it's a VIPER! I picked it out cause I wanted the visual FOB so I can see if it beeps when the alarm goes off Like if something hit the windshield or if a door was opened it would show! & best of all using the Remote Start on Icy snowy days I leave my defrost/heat on so this way some of the snow melts off & the windows are kinda defrosted & nice & toasty warm I can go from the house to my EXPY w/o wearing a heavy coat or freeze before the heat kicks on warm enough! The last snowstorm we had my neighbor was outside scraping her icy windows & she's just watching how the sun melted mine before I even leave my house! I said nope I love my remote start!

In the summertime the AC cools off the EXPY so it's a comfy temp!

The Viper remote start FOB I have to press 2 buttons to start the EXPY LOCK & UNLOCK @ the same time!

It's really kewl I also have a BlackBerry Tour & there's an app for VIPER REMOTE STARTERS so soon I will get that it's FREE for the 1st year! I can virtually unlock my door for remote start the EXPY from anywhere

Yes! Using the original FORD FOB which unlocks & locks the doors I would still have to use the Viper Remote! Because the alarm would sound!

Same thing w/keyless entry I use this for the fact just incase I ever lock my doors by accident leaving my keys on the seat when getting out in a hurry! (My mechanic has done this several times then he'd call & ask for the spare remote) Can be stressfull enough! As that saying goes if you don't use it you lose it! So to keep the code fresh in my head I use it every so often! Which also means there are days where my Viper remote's battery is just about dead & won't work so to keep me from being stranded somewhere I keep extra AAA batteries in the EXPY they fit in the overhead compartment sunglass holder (which I never use for that) so as long as I know my code or just use my key the alarm will sound until I replace the battery & listen to the tunes as it resets the remote watching all the things light up! Then I'm good to go!

My BFF is jealous of my Viper she has an Explorer newer than my EXPY but didn't get Remote start!

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm going to start by getting the right FOB from Ford for the starter and see how that works.

 

Hello from Norway!

I have a Expy EB 4X4 2003. 50.000 km, and today I should change the automatic transmission oil. In the bottom of the sump I find a strange yellow part. I can not figure out where this part is located. Can someone tell me what this is, and where this is placed?



Best regards
Lauda

 

What you are looking at is the plug that was in the hole for the dipstick tube before it was installed. They just push it into the pan during assembly. Throw it away.

 

I wouldn't throw it away the o-ring or plug could be useful later on, but yeah it's just an assembly plug