python1401 remote start on 04 ford taurus

Hi, All,

I recently purchased a Python 1401 remote starter and a PKALL bypass module, the system was installed on my ford Taurus by an electronics shop. After couple days of use, I am having several problems. Since I have moved to a new place, I may need to figure out the solution by myself.

1. The car remote starts and runs fine, but over-rev protection is not working, I can rev up to 4000rpm and it will still be running. The tach wire is connected to one of the fuel injector. No matter how I set the engining checking mode (virtual tach or wired tach), over-rev protection wont work. But when the tach wire was connected to the coil, the car can only run for about 1 minute and then die (diagnostic showed that "over-rev" shut down occured). I tried to unplug the tach wire and set it to virtual tach mode, however, the car will try to start for 3 times, but can only rev-up to about 1500rpm and die immediately. I thought virtual tach should still be able to run the car without tach wire? and why my over-rev protection cant work with wired tach signal??

2. Intermittently, my remote unlock button will not work, usually after I parked the car for a while. But the remote start will still work, if I just use the key to unlock the door, then everything will be working again. Kinda weired, is there anyone might know what's going on with that??

I am now assuming that the guy installed the system for me might missed some wiring (he mentioned to me that he was not sure about some wires for the ignition part.), but would like to know what might be the problem here so I will be able to more accurately troubleshoot it and decide if this is something I can do by myself.

Thanks in advance!!

For problem #2, sounds like it is the GEM module going to sleep.  You might need to  add a  GEM wake-up circuit.  Do a search on "GEM Wake-up" to see prior posts on the subject.

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Soldering is fun!

Thanks, Kreg. I think you are right. I will made the GEM wake-up circuit once I get time.
In the mean while, I am still puzzling about the over-rev thing. For Python or Viper remote starter, the virtual-tach suppose to work without any physical tach wire, right? I am wondering if virtual-tach being not working has anything to do with the over-rev protection?? thx

I am not a Viper / Python person so hopefully someone else can jump in.  I have heard that Virtual Tach is not as reliable as an actual Tach connection.  ( I always use a direct Tach connection.)  Aside from the necessary option programming changes and actual Tach Learn process, some DEI products have Tach Threshold jumpers that might need to be set for a specific vehicle. (  I don't have a Python 1401 guide available.)

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Soldering is fun!

1. In order to change back to using virtual tach you would have to reset the programming options and let it relearn the vehicle. Since you are using a hard wired tach connection, I wouldn't use virtual tach, it is not nearly as reliable as the hard wired tach connection. Change your tach threshold jumper as kreg357 mentioned and you should be fine.

2. It definitely sounds like you need to wake up the GEM from your description of the problem. DEI however does not show the 04 Taurus as requiring it. Have a look through your vehicle's owner's manual and see if you can turn that feature off (I have not tried this myself but have seen many references to it on Ford forums). If that doesn't work, simply pulsing the ignition circuit would wake up the GEM as well.

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Installer, IT support, and FFL. I need less hobbies.

Hi, Guys. thanks a lot for the help. A friend is driving my car these days, so i will work on it once I get it back.

However, regarding the tach threshold thing. I know there is a jumper for that on Viper 5101 (I used that installation guide.), but I didnt find this jumper on my Python 1401. I saw a Horn impur polarity jumper, a D2D jumper and a light polarity jumper. But no tach threshold jumper. can u guys give me some guidance about where to find it? or is I should have one with python 1401. thanks.

Also, I thought what the threshold jumper will do is to lower the threshold voltage so it can be compatible with digital output. But since my car is running fine, I think my tach-voltage should be fine, right? how can this affect the over-rev protection>?? sorry if this is a newbie question.

Does the 1401 have a 18 pin harness?  If so, I don't believe it will have a tach jumper. 

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Hi, Smokeman,

yes, the H2 harness is 18-pin. thx. If I dont have the tach jumper, is there anything else i can try to get my over-rev protection?

hi, guys. so i finally got my car back, i think the gem does go to sleep after i unlock the car with factory keyless or the power lock on the door. if i only use remote starter keyless to lock the door, unlock will still work, which is good. however, the problem is if i use remote starter keyless to lock the door, the dome light never go off then...im afraid this wi drain my battery. is there anyway around it so i wont need to wire the gem wakeup circuit but can sti have my remote starter keyless work properly???thx