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car wont start unless unlock button pressed

S

Sable23

Veteran CEG'er
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Messages
578
Location
Paynesville, MN
so i got the 96 a few months ago and it is running again so i want to tackle some of the problems before they turn into bigger problems. the problem i want to takle first besides the window motor... is the keyless entry/pats/starting problem every few times you try and start the car. put the key in and turn it and you get everything like normal but it wont turn the engine over, this will happen until you press the unlock button on the keyless entry fob.

just wondering if you guys had any ideas about this problem?

also another question how can i program another key fob? incase this one gets lost (broken cant put it on a keyring) or the battery dies. i didnt search and will but figured i would ask while we are on the subject.

and specs on the car its a 96 zetec auto with pats and keyless also i should mention that i believe it is factory installed or dealer at least as it has a ford emblem on the key fob.
 
pre98s never came with PATS, that wasnt installed until 98 (and even then Zetecs never got it). you simply have a keyless entry system, that sounds like it may be a dealer optional install.
 
The factory installed alarm on the 2k svt did that too. In certain modes for the alarm, the car would not start without hitting the unlock button. I eventually found a mode that worked better and didn't have that setting.
 
blu_fuz said:
The factory installed alarm on the 2k svt did that too. In certain modes for the alarm, the car would not start without hitting the unlock button. I eventually found a mode that worked better and didn't have that setting.
Click to expand...


I usually just remove it. The factory box is under the steering column
 
if it is the Ford add on alarm then its possible that hitting the unlock button turns the alarm off. by default there is a starter interupt that kicks in after a minute. this feature can be disables. there should be a indicator led that doubles as a valet switch. if its double blinking the system is disabled. There should also be an override switch somewhere too that can be pressed to disable the alarm so the car can start. Also if it has keyless entry the factory remotes would controll the alarm also.
 
i guess i just assumed it was pats being how huge the key is... yeah the fob has 3 buttons one for lock, one for unlock, and one for panic. its been a few months since i have driven it so i cant remember what each one does exactly (horn, lights, etc) i will have to look up under the dash and see if i can find the module maybe behind the glove box. i would like to keep the keyless but get rid of the engine disabler is that possible do you think?

thanks guys!
 
Sable23 said:
i would like to keep the keyless but get rid of the engine disabler is that possible do you think?
Click to expand...
Definitely. It should just be a few wires that pass through the security / keyless entry box.

Does the remote look like this? This was a dealer-installed "System 1" keyless entry (non-alarm, but with ignition disable) on my Contour SE. The override switch was located near the fuel pump cutoff switch on the driver's side kick panel.
 
yeah thats the fob i have only mine is way more worn down it almost doesnt look the same lol. i will have to look cause if i remember right there is alot of wiring just hanging in the drivers foot well.. i wonder if the previous owner didnt try to disable it. also i remembered today that if the car is running and you close the door it locks it automatically so you have to have a window down everytime you leave the car or you will get locked out. and since neither front window works.... its a pain lol any ideas on this funcion and being able to change the settings or even disable it?
 
alright got the car titled and insured yesterday started driving it to work a mile from my house, trying to find any bugs before i start driving to school which is 35 miles away.

i did find the keyless module but couldnt find any switches or buttons on it. i could see the back of it only a little bit so tomorrow i am going to cut it down i saw a glimpse of a wiring diagram on the back.

contourkeyless1.jpg

contourkeyless2.jpg

in the second pic the wire i took a pic of is not connected to anything, that could have something to do with how it acts whether it is grounded or whatever.

i think the car may have a charging problem starting to show up, rough idle under electrical load and even worse in gear when the engine is under load at the same time.

also no overdrive and the overdrive off light is on. so i am pretty sure it is electrical. the shifter is taped in place with electrical tape i am going to remove it and see what the wiring for the o/d off button is like.

and abs light is on and the abs does not work yet to diagnose that, not real sure what that could be... that about it for repairs left to do besides some minor stuff like getting the windows to work and a few other things.
 
That wire is the antenna. It's the reason why the keyless entry range is pathetic, lol.

The override switch is a little silver button mounted somewhere nearby. You can press and hold that button while starting the car to bypass the ignition lock.
 
ok that makes sense i was kinda wondering why i had to be right next to the car before it would work...

i will have to do some more searching for the button. its not right on the module then?
 
Nope. You can trace the wires if you can't immediately see it. On my old Contour, it was mounted next to the fuel pump cutoff switch, on the driver's side kick panel.
 
alright... that could be fun all the wires were held up there with a twist tie from a bread bag... the wires are just a big mess under there.
 
alright well i found the override button today. now if i connect the two wires together then the ignition switch imobilizer will be inactive correct? it will not run the battery down though will it? turns out what i saw on the back was not a wiring diagram but a pinnout key for the module...

someone really didnt want this car stolen, the security/keyless system and all the windows have the vin number etched into them...
 
just push that little button until you get the red LED to stay on solid it should start just fine then... i have a similar system on my 97 taurus g/l
 
what red led? and i want to disable this feature entirely not just be able to override it by searching under the dash each time i need to start the car. those 2 wires touched together should disable it but i will have to see what else it affects, such as battery drain and other keyless functions.
 
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