98 Mustang - Factory Alarm - Won't Start

Hello

I've got a 1998 Ford Mustand GT, with the Factory Installed Alarm.  Everything was fine until my battery died over a period of about 2 weeks. 

Just before the battery drained all the way, the alarm was going off very strangely, and not too loudly.

After that, I got a new battery, and it works fine, but the car Alarm will not deactivate.

This appears to be ALMOST like the car's normal behavior, after the alarm is REALLY triggered.

Normally, if the car alarm is set off significantly, there a flashing light built into what I think of as the "Reset Switch" (it is a lighted momentary switch on the console) that flashes continuously.  In this case, the car won't start.  To get it to start I have to do SOMETHING like:

1.  Put the key in the ignition and turn to "Run" position.

2.  Put the key back to the "Stop" position.

3.  Remove the key, and press the alarm button (located on my center console.  It appears to be a "reset" switch for the unit).  The flashing light on the switch stops flashing.

4.  Then the car usually would start normally.

So, at step 3 above, the light CONTINUES to flash, and then I can't get the car to turn over.

Anyone know how to:

1.  Fix this?

2.  Bypass the Factory Alarm system, so I can drive the car?

Thanks for your assistance,

Mark

I know on newer vehicles you gotta take them to the dealer to fix them after changing batteries (at least my manual says that).  I am not sure about '98 models though, but I'm sure someone here knows.

Might want to check your manual anyway incase it says something in there.