I have a 98 F-150 XLT XC and was wondering something about the factory anti theft system on my truck. The alarms that I have previously had on my other vehicles worked in such a way that when the vehicle was bumped hard enough, the alarm would go off. This is not the cas with my truck. It can practically be broadsided and the alarm will not go off unless you actually open one of the doors while the anti theft system is on. Is this normal or how can I change this? Something else that I noticed while changing my ashtray light today was what looked like the shock sensor for the alarm. If you pull out the cup holder to its normal operating position and look through the gap from the passenger side, you will see a small rectangular box hanging freely. If this is the sensor, shouldn't it be strapped to something solid so that it can detect the bumps?

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The Ford anti theft is not a ignition kill-Shock sensing alarm system. Try this: Roll down drivers side window turn off ignition and exit Veichle and close door, press arm button on key fob twice this will lock doors and activate alarm horn chirp and lights flash, Now Reach in the open window put in the key and start the truck! Dont be too worried a mercury guy told me very few "PATS" systems are defeated enough to start the veichle the crooks usually just haul them off!

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2001 Super Crew Built 10/00 purchased12/00 Lariat 5.4 4X4 Bright Red, Factory Steps, Tow Package, K&N air filter, A.R.E. LS II, Rear Seat Entertainment System, Sound System Upgrades, DRL'S, Vent Shade Vent Visors, Stampeede bug Deflector. Hope to upgrade soon to Gibson SS or Dual Sport! Factory skid plates and "Off Road" Decal

 

His truck has an alarm, not a Passive Anti-Theft System.

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Magnacharger supercharger, K&N FIPK, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, 80w amber fog lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, 285/75R16 Goodyear MT/R's, 16x8 Center Line Hell Cats (JUNK WHEELS), Rancho RSX shocks, B&M deep aluminum trans pan, Rhino bedliner. Needs one more door.
http://hometown.aol.com/ninetyeightfword

 

What's the difference in the alarm and the PATS and how do I really know which one I have? I didn't realize that there were two types out there.

 

The alarm is just that, an alarm. P.A.T.S. is Ford's Passive Anti Theft System. Basically, it won't let the vehicle start without the correct (pre-programmed) key. P.A.T.S. wasn't used in F-150's until '99.

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Magnacharger supercharger, K&N FIPK, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, 80w amber fog lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, 285/75R16 Goodyear MT/R's, 16x8 Center Line Hell Cats (JUNK WHEELS), Rancho RSX shocks, B&M deep aluminum trans pan, Rhino bedliner. Needs one more door.
http://hometown.aol.com/ninetyeightfword

 

I HAVE THE ANTI THEFT ALARM SYSTEM ON MY 98 F-150. THE OTHER DAY I LOCKED THE DOORS AND I DIDN'T NOTICE THAT MY PASSENGER DOOR WAS STILL UNLOCKED. I CAME BACK OUTSIDE TO PUT MY MUSTANG AWAY THAT NIGHT AND SEEN MY PASSENGER DOOR WAS UNLOCKED. I OPENED THE DOOR TO LOCK IT AND MY ALARM WENT OFF. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START MY TRUCK. I CAN HEAR AND FEEL THE SOLINOID ON THE FIRE WALL ACTIVATING AND THE SOLINOID ON MY STARTER IS ACTIVATING BUT MY STARTER WILL NOT ENGAGE. I ONLY HEAR THE CLICKING OF TWO SOLINOIDS WHEN I TURN MY KEY. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE ALARM SYSTEM ON A 98 WILL ACTUALLY CUT OUT THE START CIRCUIT? I HAVE CHECKED FUSES AND BATTERY AND THEY TEST FINE. WHAT DOES THE ALARM SYSTEM ACTUALLY DO? THANKS FOR ANY HELP.

 

Yah coonass your truck's alarm is supposed to be set off when " a forceable entry attempt is made" I have a sensor like that in that area, mine clips to the back side of the dash above the power ports area i believe.

In this area i think


and to B.J. i believe you should try disconnecting the battery for roughly 30 minutes, plugging it back up, and see what happens, that should give enough time to clear the computer out. Make sure you are trying to start the truck with an original Ford supplied key.

-Patrick