Folks: (Sorry for this dumb question - but maybe because I'm a physicist I don't understand the manual)

Just what functions does the factory alarm on my SD give me? All I know is if I hit the lock button on the FOB once, the doors lock; hit the button again, the horn toots.

Does engaging the alarm stop a thief from turning the ignition? Does the alarm go off if someone breaks a window or opens the door?

My neighbors Explorer got stolen the other night and he found it a block down the street. Supposedly, if the alarm is on and the car is started without a dealer supplied key, the motor will cut out after 30 seconds. The same thing happens on my parent jeep. My father had extra keys made at Wal-Mart and the Jeep turned on just fine - but cut out after 30 seconds. Using the factory/dealer key reinitiated the system and got it going again.

Sorry for the stupid question...

mike

 

No question is stupid. It is only stupid to not ask.

Are you sure you have an "alarm system" or do you just have the "keyless entry" feature? My truck had the "keyless entry" and it functions just as you explained.

To find out, hit the button, once or twice, it does not matter...just so the truck is locked. Then take the key and unlock the truck with the key and open the door. If an alarm goes off...you have an alarm system. If it does not...you only have the keyless entry system.

If you have the alarm system, you should not be able to start the truck after the alarm goes off until you reset it. If you just have the keyless entry, you can start the truck...and so can the thieves or punks.

Lock it and then open it with the key...you will know for sure. I added an alarm system to my keyless entry - Automate but would do a little different it I had to do it over again.

Good luck

[This message has been edited by RickK (edited 01-03-2001).]

 

RickK,

Thanks for the input. You were correct. Although, I distinctly remember having a discussion with the salesman about an alarm.

Thanks Again,

mike

 

Since you've determined that you just have remote-entry, you may want to consider an actual alarm. Unlike the F150s, Expeditions and Excursions, the SuperDuty trucks do not even have the passive anti-theft system. No special computer-chipped key is required to start them!

According to reports at ford-diesel.com, a lot of SD trucks are being stolen in AZ. Theives using them to smuggle stuff across the border and dumping them in the desert. Don't know if this is true or even applies to you in NM, but it's worth some consideration.


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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 F150 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x4 F250 SD XLT SuperCab SWB- 6.8L, Offroad Pkg, Camper Pkg, 4.30LS, Tape & CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, tinted windows, 265/75R16 OWL tires, & Line-X.

NoMo's site

 

Automate is made by the same folks that make Viper. They now have lots of added features that were not available when I purchased mine but in reality I wish I had just gotten a Viper alarm. I think the Automate acts sorta squirrley at times and I really wish I had had the thing set so that when you unlock it, it unlocks all the doors. I hate the push it once for the driver side and then again for the other doors.

I did not notice whether you said you have the PSD or not but it is a real pain to not be able to leave the truck running (for the diesel turbo cool down) but be able to get out and lock the doors, especially when you are traveling interstates and need to take a bio break at a rest area when you are by yourself.

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[This message has been edited by RickK (edited 01-08-2001).]

 

Sorry, not an option on the SD. There are tons of aftermarket alarms out there though. Lots of people are using Code Alarms, Viper Alarms, and Clifford alarms. You can also order an aftermarket Ford alarm, which is nothing but a Code Alarm with the Ford logo on it.

Code is good, but they've pretty much been using the same alarm system for 27 years. Viper is supposed to be pretty hot right now. Clifford used to be pretty much top of the line, but they are having some serious quality control problems right now. They were recently bought out by DEI (who also makes Viper and all of its siblings). Give DEI a year to get the bugs worked out of Clifford and they'll probably be top of the line again (unless of course they make the bugs worse). Right now, it sounds like people are having lots of trouble with them. Compustar is another one that is fairly new but has a real neat system. Take a look at the links below.

http://www.compustar.org/

http://www.clifford.com/

http://www.viper.com

http://www.codl.com/index.html

That should give you a good start at least. Hope this helps.




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2000 Lariat F-250 4x4
Super Duty
Super Cab
Short Wheel Base
V-10
3.73LS
Auto

 

In another thread here in this forum, I linked to a thread at ford-diesel.com that discusses an anti-theft device for SDs called Cyclops. According to the manufacturer, this device doesn't quite work "easily" for the gasoline-powered SD trucks. Instead of just plugging into the relay box, it must be wired!

Just thought I'd pass that info along in case anyone was considering a purchase.

 

I just picked up my F250 Lariat over the weekend. I checked "YES" on the box next to all the options, etc.

As I sat down this morning to fill out the anti-theft questionaire sent to me by the insurance company, I realized (as mentioned above) that I have no anti-theft device factory installed.

Did I miss something, or is this not an option? Really?

What alarms are people going with?

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2001 F250 CC Lariat LWB, 5.4L V8, 4.10LS
- Jeraco Cab High topper, color matched.
** Expected delivery 1/29/2001 (almost there).

 

That's true. I ordered one and had to send it back. Apparently, if you have the 5.4L V-8 or the 6.8L V-10 in an SD, the Cyclops has to be wired in. As I understand, it will work on all Ford trucks (including Excursions and Expeditions) except for the SD with those two engines. Fortunately, I'm told by the folks that sale the device that there will be a product coming out pretty soon that will work for those engines. I'm told it will be about three weeks.

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2000 Lariat F-250 4x4
Super Duty
Super Cab
Short Wheel Base
V-10
3.73LS
Auto



[This message has been edited by F-250 Hoss (edited 01-31-2001).]

 

Thanks for the links about alarms. I will be researching this post haste, lest the truck I have been waiting for leaves the dance with someone else!

Since I'm doing the research, anyone have experience with one of the alarm/remote starter combos?

Living in the Northeast, it's cold enough for me to appreciate the benefit in the winter. Do they have similar benefits in the summer?

Any downside risk to having a remote starter in the truck (i.e., does it make it easier to steal, cause engine damage, etc.)?

Thanks again for the suggestions!

Santa

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2001 F250 CC Lariat LWB, 5.4L V8, 4.10LS
- Jeraco Deluxe Cab High Cap, color matched (expected soon)
MODS: Still busy figuring out where to start

 

I dont have the remote start YET, but I plan to get one. Any of your major alarms are going to offer remote start as long as you're willing to pay for it. Most of them pretty much have the same features.

Down here in Texas, the biggest benefit is in the summer. When it's 108 degrees outside with 80% humidity, that makes it about 130 degrees inside the cab of that truck that's been roasting in the sun all day. It would be real nice to crank the truck up and get the AC going while you're still sitting in your house or office. I suppose the same could be said for up north with the cold, except using the heater of course.

To my knowledge, there are no down sides to having the remote start. It doesn't make it any easier to steal. You've still got a full alarm system there, it's just got the added convenience of being able to crank your truck for you (or take your keys out at a quick stop for a coke and leave the truck running). Basically, when you use the remote to crank your truck, the alarm is still armed. If anyone messes with the truck or tries to take it, the engine dies, the starter is disabled and the alarm is triggered with all of the lights and sirens. If somebody really wants your truck and they know what they're doing, no alarm is going to stop them. You just want to make it harder on them so maybe they'll move on to another car.

As far as engine damage, this isn't a problem. When you hit the button, the alarm will try to start your truck up to three times (with a delay in between tries). If it hasn't started by the third try, it will give up unless you push the button again. This avoids having a truck that is sitting there trying to start itself over and over again. Most of the alarms are set up this way.

I'd recommend either Viper or Code. Viper incorporates a lot later technology into their systems. When I get mine, I will probably get the Viper 800 ESP. I haven't decided if I want the remote start or not. The nice thing about Viper (and some others as well), is that it is fully programmable so it can easily be upgraded later. Code is good, but like I said earlier, they've pretty much been doing the same thing for 27 years. I really want to tell you to go with the Clifford AvantGuard 4, because it has some AWESOME features that nobody else does, BUT, that would be kind of risky right now. I've heard lots of great things about Clifford alarms, but I've also heard just as many horror stories about false alarms, trucks dying on the side of the road and not be able to be cranked again, people having the alarms removed after not liking them and more. The AvantGuard 4 is one awesome system though. I'm still tempted to get it even though I've heard the horror stories about Clifford. To me, the AG4 seems like the perfect system. It includes EVERYTHING. Of course, it is also VERY expensive (about $600 installed).

Well, those are some of the things I've picked up on while researching this topic for myself. Hope this helps.

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2000 Lariat F-250 4x4
Super Duty
Super Cab
Short Wheel Base
V-10
3.73LS
Auto