Car alarm?????????

878ranger878 · #1 03-12-2010, 10:10 PM

my stock car alarm i dont think works? the red security light blinks on and off when my truck is off. but it has never and I cant get it to go off. is there a way to test it? i know alot of time you can roll down the window. lock car from remote lock then reach into interior and manually unlock and open door. that triggers it on my parents chevys. any thing guys????

DisturbedESV · #2 03-12-2010, 10:32 PM

Have you tried opening the locked door from the inside? That's my guess... I don't know that the rangers have a legit alarm... I've been told a broken window will set it off but my alarm has never gone off so I think the red light is a dummy....

prestidigitizer · #3 03-13-2010, 03:50 AM

I don't think there is a stock alarm. I think the light is just the indicator that your PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) is active, which just means you have to use a transponder key (like the factory ones issued with the vehicle) to operate the vehicle - but no alarm (hence the term 'passive'.) Check page 12 of your owner's manual to see if we're talking about the same thing.

Coleosis · #4 03-13-2010, 04:16 AM

This is just my opinion, but Ive never liked factory alarms...I like how mine goes off if someone even bumps into me...Id rather run out to my alarm and see the guy trying to drive off so I can get his tag, rather than coming out the next day with a big red stripe down my car.

Yours probably doesnt have an alarm, thats just the PATS security light. Which you would probably not want to turn off, because anything that gives the impression of the truck having an alarm is a good thing.

878ranger878 · #5 03-13-2010, 09:23 AM

ok so the car alarm i have now is just for looks to keep burglars away? with that flashing red light on the cluster. let me ask one more question just curious is it possible to steal a ranger without the actual key. since the key has that computer thing embedded into it?

Magnus · #6 03-13-2010, 09:58 AM

No unless it is an older model Ranger your key is chipped and is programmed for that truck. If you went down and had a copy of the key made it will only unlock the door. You have to go to Ford order a new key and have it reprogrammed to the vehicle. My truck has the same thing and it is an 09 I had a key copied for the door it will not turn my Ranger over. The newer Rangers I was told by the salesman of Ford say the new trucks have an immobilizer built into them that prevent people from hotwiring them hence the chip in the key.

Tom · #7 03-13-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 878ranger878

ok so the car alarm i have now is just for looks to keep burglars away? with that flashing red light on the cluster. let me ask one more question just curious is it possible to steal a ranger without the actual key. since the key has that computer thing embedded into it?

Yes, anything is possible.

I'm not in the business is stealing cars, so I don't know the ins & outs. The post Magnus provided above mine sounds accurate, but that is only describing turning on the ignition. There may be a override, but one things for sure, if someone really wanted to steal it, they could always just tow it away.

Coleosis · #8 03-13-2010, 11:08 PM

Most car thieves arent going to waste their time on a ranger unless its an easy grab...The reason to get an alarm is so punk ass kids dont steal your stereo and rip your interior up.

DisturbedESV · #9 03-14-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coleosis

Most car thieves arent going to waste their time on a ranger unless its an easy grab...The reason to get an alarm is so punk ass kids dont steal your stereo and rip your interior up.

Wish you were right... I have nothing in my truck that is visible except a sub and I don't keep anything else of value in it. First guy that broke in took all charging cords, garage door openers, high heels, sunglasses, and misc. other things like my mascara and pocket knife. Second guy that broke in did not take a single thing....