hood switch, 2003 ford explorer sport

2003 Ford Explore Sport (2 door model...not Sport trac).Has a Ford installed Powercode remote start which isnt working correctly. Vehicle is responding to pressing the remote as parking lights flash and I get 2 honks of the horn... but starter does not engage. It tries 3 more times by itself with no subsequent engagement...then that appears to shut off the cycle. From searching the net...it sounds like its not recognizing the hood is shut. Assume that it's the hood switch. If i understand it correctly...the hood switch provides a path to ground when the hood is closed and this allows the starter to engage. To check the hood switch I assume that you can take if off and check it out with an ohm meter. I believe that the switch should have continuity when the switch is in a position similar to the hood closed and there should be no continuity when the switch is held in a position similar to the hood in the open position. Are these assumptions correct. Thanks in advance,        Geo.

try cutting the hood pin wire (for testing only) it will start with it disconnected the 2 beeps usually mean either hood open or in valet mode   which ford system is it ?   any numbers on it ?If i Can't Install it    I Don't need it   Joe

Most RS units are made in a way that if the hood is open absolutely nothing will happen, including light flashes and honks(nor would it try to go 3 times). Are the dash lights coming on(check engine, airbag, etc.) just no crank? If so you probably have a key code issue...Mike M2

Tech Manager

CS Dealer Services

ford code systems beep twice when the hood is open or the system is in valet but your right mike about it trying 3 times it wont do that i should have red the whole post rather than just skimming through. what does the theft light do when you try to remote start it ?If i Can't Install it    I Don't need it   Joe

Thanks for the replies... Don't have the vehicle with me at the moment (am at work and wife has it). I believe its the Powercode silver system. I did open the wire at the butt connector between the one wire going to the hood switch and directly grounded the wire that went to the hood switch to the battery ground. Thought that would eliminate the hood switch and the possiblility of a bad ground wire/connection that goes to a sheet metal screw on the firewall. Will check the status of the theft light and report back tonight or tomorrow. (Also, I did check to make sure that the unit was not in "valet mode".)        Geo.

if you ground the wire that goes to the hood pin it wont remote start If i Can't Install it    I Don't need it   Joe

its more than likely a bypass issue for the key. if hoods open it wont even acknowledge a remote start input from the remote, my moneys on it being the bypass either failed or shifted and isnt being recognized by the vhicle, security light is probably flashing rapidly when trying to remote start(signaling no valid key signal)

Went ahead and tested the hood switch to check out its operation. Using an ohm meter...I found that the switch had continuity when the hood is in the open position. This effectively supplies a ground connection when the hood is open. Conversely...when the hood is down...there is no continuity through the switch which effectively opens the ground connection. So, correct me if I'm wrong...but it looks like you don't want a ground signal through the hood switch when the hood is closed so the remote start will operate and you do want a ground signal whne the hood is opened so the remote start will not work. Have I got this right? Put it back together and I now only get one beep on the horn ...the parking lights/dash lights light up and you notice that the starter does not engage. It tries to do this for another 3 cyles without sucess. The dash theft light does flash rapidly during the cycling. I suppose my next course of action will be to insert the key into the ignition...then see if the remote works. If it does then work...it sounds like it's a bypass problem. Do appreciate your replies and feedback...Geo

If the factory security light flashes fast when it should crank you are not bypassing the immobilizer(key code issue). Try the key in the ignition and see if that works. You are correct about the hood switch.Mike M2

Tech Manager

CS Dealer Services

Thanks Mike,I'll try putting the key in the ignition tonite and see if it then\ works. If it does then work...you say it's a key code issue. What would be the next course of action. The key works fine in the ignition switch so I assume the remote module is not recognizing the signal from the key?Thanks,Geo.