Theft system wonky

[dehler25]

I have what appears to be headed to classic status, a 2001 Eddie Bauer 101,000miles, the security system has been annoying to say the least. If you lock on exit before the door was closed it activated so you had to use the fob after exit. The vehicle gets very little use so battery charging seems to make it act up in that it will respond to the fob or not. I drove it about ten miles and decided to leave it on charge topping it up. Next time I was going to use it the theft system light activated so start is inhibited. I tried the usual fix of sitting inside and locking/unlocking with the fob as well as the door switches, no luck, disconnected the battery and let sit overnight, nope. I really wish I could disable the system but I am guessing they prevented that. Haines manual doesn't even touch the subject. Is this a common failure? Anyone know what conditions set the theft detection? I found a relay drivers side knee height top of relay row that switches along with the interior lights which blink dimly.

 

[docraymund]

Try resetting it. Disconnect both battery terminals and touch them together to discharge the capacitors. Good luck!

 

[dehler25]

Try resetting it. Disconnect both battery terminals and touch them together to discharge the capacitors. Good luck!

I disconnected for the overnight expecting any capacitance to bleed off but I can try shorting to make certain no memory remains

 

[dehler25]

I disconnected for the overnight expecting any capacitance to bleed off but I can try shorting to make certain no memory remains

I disconnect the positive batt connection and shorted the leads for a couple of minutes. Reconnecting to the batt instantly started the alarm pulsing, it seems to be a hard set like a stuck relay.

 

[dehler25]

I disconnect the positive batt connection and shorted the leads for a couple of minutes. Reconnecting to the batt instantly started the alarm pulsing, it seems to be a hard set like a stuck relay.

When the problem started I had driven the vehicle then decided to top up the battery charge. decided to jump the start relay bypassing the RAP and when I looked close I noticed the batt voltage was low hmmm that explains the pulsing relay I was hearing put the batt back on charge and problem disappeared. monitored the current draw as i understand ford has it where the current is at a level for a period of time then drops off. I am showing .3 amps at shutdown and waiting to see if it drops down as .3 amps would kill a battery in a couple to three days.