I installed a keyless entry/remote starter into a 1998 ford expiditon on sunday. Come to find out that there was a factory alarm. This was an alarm that I have never seen. It was the brain, shock sensor, siren, led, valet switch ect.. This was a full meal deal and the brain came from ford and warrentied by ford. The factory keyless entry pad operated the alarm by locking and unlocking the doors. I have done quite a few installs on fords and never seen anything like this.
The worst part was the install job. The install on this was completed by a ford factory installer. This was the worst install I have ever seen in my life! I have seen some bad ones but this one takes the cake! Out of the 20 wires that were connected, I found 7 connections that dident even have electrical tape covering them. I guess that this is what caused the finding of 3 completly melted wires. No inline fuses what so ever. Every joint was just wraped. They dident use solder, T-taps ect... The wire connections were all loose. The install job that I did took ~3 hours in which I should of been in and out in about 1.5 hours. This was caused by me having to weed thru the bird nest of wires the factory installer left behind.
This was the worst thing I have ever came across in this field. Mabey this is the reason for that big recent ford recall on all there trucks with the potential of catching on fire.
This is just something that I figure that I would share with you guys. And just wondering if I waas the only luck one that ford stuck me with.
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MECP certified (If it really means anything)
Jeremy
Picture is worth a thousand word. Wish you would have taken a picture for us to see.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.
You know, I have a digital camera and I dident even think of it. I still have the melted wires but I think we all know what they look like. For now on I will take pictures!!
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MECP certified (If it really means anything)
Jeremy
Gotta love it when the customer comes to you and they didn't even kow that there was a previous system in the used vehicle that they bring to you. Most of the time, these shouldn't take as long seeng that all the wires are spliced in and ready to attach your own harness to, but there are times ( lik ein your case ) where it takes longer for you to fix the problems of the previous installer. I hate hack job !!
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
You most likely found a Code Alarm unit installed aftermarket.. It was not installed at the factory, that's for sure. Most likely installed at the dealership, by an aftermarket shop.
Mike
I was mistaken, Yes this wasent a factory job, it was a dealership job. I pulled this alarm out so I can see it, All it had on it was a huge FORD label, I think it said model # FORD159, also noted that this was installed and warrentied by ford!
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MECP certified (If it really means anything)
Jeremy
Those are usually made by CodeAlarm.. - Most are "hacked" in by some Tech at the dealer - Ive seen that kind of work before.. Scotch Lock Heaven .. pretty funny ....