idatalink programming on 2001 ford escape

This thing has beaten me tonight and I am going to call tech support tomorrow when they are open but I figured that I would try on here and see what you guys can come up with. Basically I am using the idatalink(the multi one ADS-AL CA) and it is flashed with the proper firmware for my car. The issue is that no matter what I do I cannot seem to program my keys into the unit. I have triple checked the power, ground and ground out when running and all are working right. I have also checked the TX and the RX wires numerous times and I know I have the right ones. My issue is that i follow the instructions which state to turn the key to ON and the LED will light up red then once it goes out remove it and quickly put in the second key and turn to ON and then remove. After this process you are supposed to remote start the car and it will work. Well after about 2-3 hours of trouble shooting I have given up for tonight. And I know that you must do both keys within 5 secs of eachother and I am sure that I am doing it as fast as humanly possible. So yah there's the issue and if anyone can let me in on how to program these to fords it would be greatly appreciated since I know I will have a bunch of fords in my bay soon and I am assuming it is just some trick in the programming that i am missing and the instructions are not too clear(as usual). Any help would be great.

oh i forgot to mention that the remote starter works perfectly with the key in the ignition(therefore I know it is a programming issue and not anything to do with the starter) I also forgot to say that it is the Code Alarm SRT-8000(or 9000) two way combo that i have in the car.

Couple quick questions perly. When you insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the On position, does the LED on the module do anything? Flash red? Or nothing at all? Secondly, what mode are you using, that unit does not have an RS232 port so I assume Mode 2?

Does the light stay red of flashes red. If it flashes you have something wrong.Cris

yah it is in mode 2 and i put the key in and turn it to ON, the LED comes on(red) then goes out, then i put in the second key and turn it to ON and once again the LED comes on(red) and then when it goes out I remove the key and try to remote start the unit and it tries to start but then nothing happens and usually the LED remains solid red for a while and the car won;t start(i know its a passlock thing) so i leave the key in to clear the problem and then the car starts again but still no remote start. It has me confused and frustrated. I am used to DEI bypasses but now my shop no longer uses/sells them and we only use idatalink so i figured that I would install on my own car to learn how they work and evidently it is a good thing I did cause if this was a customer car they would be a little wized about it not working. HOpefully this answers all possible questions.

and no it does not flash it just goes sold when the key is pout in and then goes out and stays out unless i try to remote start and then it stays solid red for a while

According to the directions the light will turn red then turn off to confirm that a coded key is being used. Then, you cycle the key again with the 2ud key. After these step try to remote start the car. If all is installed and programmed right the red light will turn green.Cris

StealthEs wrote: According to the directions the light will turn red then turn off to confirm that a coded key is being used. Then, you cycle the key again with the 2ud key. After these step try to remote start the car. If all is installed and programmed right the red light will turn green.

and here lies my issue I know that is what the instructions say but it is not what is happening. Everything follows the instructions perfectly, but then when i go to remote start the bypass does not work.(just a solid red light when remote start activated and it locks me out for a little bit)

From the datalink module you have the pink wire going to Ignition?Cris

yep the pink wire is connected to ign wire from the remote starter which is in turn soldered to the car ign harness