Expert: INSTALLSUPPORT - 7/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: bought used 3 yrs ago, never a problem with alarm, never used valet mode / didnt know it existed, took vehicle to sears for new battery, would not start after install of new battery, had to depress a black momentary push button switch under dash while turning key to start, vehicle now starts normally but acts as if no alarm / will not arm / no chirp when locking / unlocking vehicle, it is as if unit only controls power locks .... i was told that the unit is a ford dealer add on alarm ... normally i have a theft light in dash, red led to left of steering wheel, black momentary switch under dash, when alarm worked theft light flashed and led did single flashes, now theft light flashes but led double flashes ... tried depress / release / depress red led (it appears to be a switch also) and tried depress / release / depress of momentary switch with key in forward run position just shy of start, no go ... I am a traveling firearms instructor for the dept of public saftey and must travel with weapons / ammo so the alarm is a must ... thank you for any assistance

ANSWER: Should be no problem really.
It appears from your expaination, that the
car alarm is in service mode.

Ok, try this.
Put the key in the ignition, and turn forward
all the way just before cranking. Then within
5 seconds, press and hold in the valet/overide
button you found under the dash area,
until the installed LED (the blinking light)
in your dash area goes off, and the siren chirps twice.
(Your valet switch might be the toggle (on/off) type.
in this case, key on, flip switch in oposite direction,
key off.)

This should reset the alarm.

Just Repeat these steps to place it
back to valet mode.

That should do it.
Let me know what happens.

ALARMTEK
INSTALLSUPPORT.COM

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the initial attempt above, unfortunately no change. When key is in on or turned to nearly the start position the led goes out. Tried holding in LED and holding in momentary valet but no change, no chirps.
Would appreciate any alternate suggestions very much.
Thank you...

ANSWER: There are no other suggestions John.
Does not work that way. At this point, it's locate
the brain box, unplug and try to reset that way,
or remove and repair to start from scratch.

Wish there was a magic solution.

A.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: understood ... QUESTION: does the "hard reset" have to be accomplished by unplugging the alarm module itself, or can it be accomplished by disconnecting the negative or the negative and positive battery terminal cables? in either case, must the unit / battery be left unplugged for a minimum amount of time so as to clear flash memory, error codes, etc ... Thanks again ...

Answer
Leave the truck's battery alone.
On the alarm, if it's an after market system,
simply unplugging it may or may not help.

It's the repair on the starter wire
to remove any relay installed on it, that will
matter here.

If after market starter disable is engaged,
you will need to cut the starter kill relay out
of line and repair it.

Keep in mind this also has the Ford PATS
engine immobilizer, and if this is the trouble,
Ford/Mercury will need to inspect and repair.

A.