Fords are weird

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
10/30/2014 at 15:26 • Filed to: None

So for my girlfriend's birthday, my parents are having a remote starter put on her car since it doesn't have one already.

Now on say, a GM made car, this would be a pretty straightforward operation. Plug in the control boxes, the shit ton of wiring, and the transmitter. Easier said then done, but still not much in the way of surprises.

On her Taurus though, it's really weird. You have to put a key in the control box that the box reads the codes from to bypass the ignition to start the car. When I say key I mean literally one of the keys with the Ford emblem on it and everything.

Which means we have to have a replica key made since they only have two and prefer to have the spare accessible. To have a replica key made, you need both the keys that come with the car, and the car itself . Which is a problem because this is a surprise. So now we're trying to coordinate a time to get the car away from my girlfriend to have a replica key made and to install the system.

I guess it could be said that Fords are really secure?

TL;DR: Surprising my girlfriend with remote start on her car. Ford makes it hella difficult to install and aftermarket system.

DISCUSSION (18)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:30

depends on the car and the year.

Just a few years (ish) newer than the above Taurus, and my Milan had no trouble/ no need for a 3rd key to set up the after market remote start

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:31

If you want to get extra fancy go with something like carlink. It has a box with a SIM card added to her new remote start module and let's you remote control your car anywhere both have signal. The BEST feature though is a text message any time the alarm goes off.

Kinja'd!!!

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:33

Tell her there's a TSB on Taurus keys, where they can break off in the ignition, and you're going to go get a replacement key for it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
10/30/2014 at 15:34

My dad got some Bulldog Security system. The remote has a little screen on it that says a bunch of stuff about the car. And it has a range of like half a mile, which is more than she'll ever need.

Party-vi > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:36

1) That's quite a nice gesture from your parents - my quote for a remote start was $400.

2) Yeah that's normal. With most aftermarket systems if the transmitter is part of the key you need the spare left in an extra ignition inside the car.

Steve in Manhattan > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:38

I see a great opportunity for a prank here ....

And imagine if you were putting it on, say, a Citroen. Mon dieu!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Party-vi
10/30/2014 at 15:38

1) Luckily my dad can do it himself and save a bunch of money. I think the system itself was like $100.

2) That really strange. When my dad did his truck he didn't have to do anything like that, just plug and play.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:40

I have one line that by codealarm (they make viper but don't use the viper name) but it would eat batteries like crazy so I switched to the backup one without a screen.

Party-vi > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:43

How old is the truck? Her Ford probably needs the key in the ignition and then the chip in the key to communicate to the ignition. I'm guessing your dad's truck didn't have a chip'd key.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Party-vi
10/30/2014 at 15:45

It's a 2004 Silverado, so I would think it would have a chip in the key.

RazoE > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:46

That's a security feature. I wanted to get one on my IS300, but you have to bypass the clutch switch and if you leave it in gear. *BANG CRASH*

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:47

That's Ford's PATS for you....Its a great way to keep the car safe but way over complicated.

Party-vi > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:48

My dad's (mom's) '00 Silverado didn't, but my '02 BMW does.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
10/30/2014 at 15:48

Definitely a little over the top.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:50

Even my Sable has it, I'd love a remote start for it but I can't be bothered to have one put in.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
10/30/2014 at 15:51

Did Ford/Mercury never offer one from the factory?

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 15:55

For the Taurus/Sables that your girlfriend and I drive, no. If you have a later Taurus/Sable like a 08+ I think so but I can't recall.

 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/30/2014 at 16:14

Get blank PATS key from Ebay then program it yourself. There is nothing to it. Dealer wants like 400 bucks for one of those.

http://www.fordf150.net/howto/patskey.…