avistart 3200 key start problem

Hello, I'm having an intermittent starting issue with a Avistart 3200 that is installed in a 2006 Ford Escape. We bought the car used and didn't know it had a security system installed until the car wouldn't start one day with the key. We have never used the Avital remote key fobs. We were told from the dealer they were just extras. The AAA guy looked under the dash and said you have a security system in the car(much to our surprise) and need to find the valet button. He played around underneath the dash and raised and lowered the steering wheel and the car then started. We don't know what he could have touched or moved. The car then acted up 2 days later and wouldn't start with the key(We only use the key to start it). The dash lights come on when you try to start the car, but starter does not engage. It does have a hood pinswitch installed that is right in front of the battery when you open the hood. I think it will only prevent the remote start from working if the hood is up from what I read in an install manual I found on the internet. I checked/followed that gray wire back to the unit and I think that is functioning correctly based on the ohm reading I got depressing the switch(ground or no ground). The manual picture doesn't appear to match the wiring reference guide picture in the manual as its different than the one in the car. I cannot find a valet switch, nor an Status LED. I don't think either were installed(or I can't find them). I have removed several of the panels underneath the dash in an effort to find the valet switch. At this point I suspect the issue is with the unit itself causing the vehicle to not start(with a key as we haven't used the remote start as we didn't know it existed). I am afraid to remove the system as I won't know which wires to disconnect/reconnect. There is also a 555U box in addition to the Avistart 3200 box that I believe is for the PATS transponder. I've attached some pictures and wondering if someone can offer a suggestion as to what could be the problem or what I can additionally check for. the car is currently in the garage and will start with the key. I see two relays that look to be part of this setup as well. http://www.cainsusa.net/avistart1.jpg http://www.cainsusa.net/avistart2.jpg http://www.cainsusa.net/avistartrelay.jpg http://www.cainsusa.net/avital3200wiring.jpg Len

There are several possibilities.  Here is one possibility...

It could be that the AviStart Starter Kill relay or wiring for the Starter Kill relay has a problem.  The easiest way to check this out is to find where they madethe connections to the vehicles ignition wires.  Look for the vehicles Starter wire, it should be Tan/Light Blue.  If they incorporated a starter kill circuit, they would have had to cut this wire and connect a relay into the circuit.  If you find this is the case, you can disconnect the cut Tan/Light Blue wires from the relay and properly re-connect them.  Depending on how the AviStart system was wired up, the remote start portion of the system will no longer work but if this Starter Kill relay / wiring was causing your problem, your vehicle will now start consistently with the key.

If the AviStart unit diagram you posted is the correct one, expect to see the Orange wire from 12 pin H1 connector used on that relay / circuit.

Soldering is fun!

Thanks for the tips. Wife took car to local place that services these systems today and discovered the wire around the ignition switch was loose and the insulation was worn off. He felt that is the issue and installed a new one and properly tied it to the ignition switch. Leaving all the panels off to see if that resolves it.Len