anyone with a Ford factory remote starter, does it have a specific brand name (audiovox?) and with the silver series, what is the range it works with??

 

We don't have one on the F150, but on a Sport Trac. I'm pretty sure it is Code-Alarm who makes the system for Ford. The antenna mounts on the front windshield. It works at least 200 feet away if you are facing the front of the truck, a little less if you're behind the truck.

 

wow, 200 ft is not tht far, what should I do---if I get Ford, it can be covered under warranty, (I think) and some of the other ones are cheaper, and work with longer range with aftermarket---any suggestions on which route to go---dealer told me that after market ones have to put bypass up in window, but Ford does not have to do that,,,please help

 

well, it maybe more than 200 feet. but why do you need such distance? The Sport Trac is parked just outside the house, only 20 feet away. And at work, you just point out by the window and it starts up.

If you just want a basic remote starter (no alarm), then it would be cheaper to go aftermarket. Just make sure you get one that has keyless entry too, you don't want to have to carry two key fobs around. Overall, I'm happy with the Ford Silver system and never had a problem with it yet and I'm going into my 3rd winter of using it.

oh, the PATS (chip) bypass. Most aftermarket systems you have to buy an extra key and tie it up under the dash near the ignition. But the Ford bypass module is a small antenna type device that wraps around your ignition and is programmed to act like a key is already in the ignition.

 

Go with the aftemarket system, Ford uses aftermarket, they are not plug and play. I install Crimestopper remote starters, 1000ft range, and fool proof. Find a locall shop to do it, for the 04's basic remote start with keyless entry should run you around $300.00 give or take.

 

Oh.. forgot... most aftermarket installers have modules to bypass the pats system, not using one of your keys, no antenna ring. Trilogix makes a PKF which works perfectly, I have installed plenty of them.

 

thanks for the info---i decided to go with the Ford alarm---and just to answer, I have to park about 1000 feet from work, so distance is important---dealer said it goes about 1200 feet

 

I would call around first. I have heard of many problems with the Ford systems. As far as the info you got from the dealer on a bypass on the window... that is completly false. There is no such thing, all bypass kits go under the dash. The only ones that have an antenna (including the one your going to get from Ford), go up to the ignition lock cylinder. The bypass kits they use are the same as DEI, which is a 555F. They are known to have problems. As far as the range, your being told best case range. Any other remote start brand can start your truck from up to 1/2 mile away (line of sight, if you can see it, it will start) Having one installed by an aftermarked, does not in any way effect your warranty. I install 3-4 of these a week on all different cars, if you have any more questions, feel free to email me. Dont get me wrong, the systems they sell (silver, gold ect) are decent systems, but are far from the best. As a matter of fact, all the local Ford dealers here, do not install them. They switched to Astrostart (a few steps up, but again.. not the best). They switched because of the problems.
JMHO

Shawn

 

yeah, I know they're not the best, but they work. My dealer doesn't install them either, they have a car stereo shop down the road install them. But I installed mine myself and never had a problem with it yet. I helped put the Silver system in my friend's 01' F150 Supercrew and it's been working pretty good for him. One weird thing though for him is that when he now turns on his headights and also flips on his interior dome light, the lights start flashing and you can hear some kind of relay clicking behind the dash, almost like the 4x4 relay??? really weird, I'm sure we connected all the proper wires. Have you ever seen anything like that Shawn?

 

Wierd!!! I have never had that happen. Does the Ford system have an alarm also? Does the Screw have light sentry? Maybe a wrong hookup on the parking lights? If your concerned, list what hookups you have, and to what wires.

 

He doesn't have an alarm, it was just the silver remote start kit. Well, I guess all new Fords have the basic anti-theft passive system now. I can't recall the wire hookups because it was last winter when we installed it. But he tried asking about it on this website and never got much help on it. His username is DeanSk. Here's his description of what happens:

"If the vehicle is running and in a gear other than park and if any of the exterior lights are on, when the interior dimmer is turned or a door is opened so that the interior lights come on - a relay under the dash clicks on and off, the "4X4" indicator on the dash blinks, and the radio turns off. "

I guess it's not big concern for him, we were just trying to figure out why that happens. It still remote starts for him with no problem.

I don't know about the light entry? He has a 01' Lariat Screw, should be same as your 03' Lariat. I remember double checking all wires with a multimeter to make sure the polarity was right on them. I'm sure we had the correct parking light wire. The only connections we weren't certain of were for the brake wire and the dome light wire.

 

I think that the Ford systems have a domelight output, I would unhook it completly.

 

well, now I am even more confused---so if I get a Crimestopper at aftermarket-- you dont think it will affect any of the switches or warranties or otherwise screw me up?? Whick one would any of you get---1. Crimestopper 2. Prestige or Audiovox model 3. Ford Silver series??


Also,, does Ford silver have the ways you can change the time your car is running---like 7 min, 15 min, 22 min etc. the crimestopper does this---it will be about $295 to install


please advise

 

I may be biased (I install Crimestopper)... No effect on switches, just make sure a quailified installer is doing it. You wont be dissapointed.

 

Sorry to hijack your thread and confuse you Jdpete. I should of just emailed Haku about that weird problem. Like I said, not a a single problem with Silver unit on my Sport Trac. The Ford unit has two different runtime settings, don't quote me but it's like 10 min and/or 15 min, or maybe 10 min and/or 20 min.

I used to have a Crimestopper starter in my old S-10 truck, Cool-glo series or something like that it was called. It was just a basic unit that cost me $45 on ebay for it about 3 years ago. It worked good sometimes and then other times it did not work at all for me, it wouldn't start the truck and the keyless entry didn't work either. I double checked all wires and everything was secure. Electronics can be really weird sometimes!