Factory Alarm Activates Randomly???

[glennbo]

Hey guys looking for some help troubleshooting. I have a 97 ranger xlt supercab 4x4 with factory alarm which goes off after sitting for several hours with no problems and no one near it. Then I go out and hit unlock on the fob and then lock, which resets the alarm and its good for another couple hours. I'm not having any issues with the dome light/door ajar lights coming on or not coming on unexpectedly. I sprayed the locks with WD40 and took the door apart and made sure the harnesses were tight. I don't think it has a hood or tailgate position switch...Anyone else had this problem? Thanks!

 

[Ranger SVO]

I don't see any factory alarm in the schematics for a 97 Ranger. The first year for a factory alarm was 98.

You can easily confirm if its factory. Open a window, close the door, arm the alarm and then open the door by reaching inside. The horn will start beeping. Now unlock the door with the key, a factory alarm WILL shut off.

If it does shut off with the key, then its factory and you'll need to contact a dealer. Again, I see no factory alarm in the service manuals for 97.

 

[glennbo]

Thanks

Thanks for the response I will try this test. It has a light that starts flashing in the instrument panel that says "alarm" or something. This light is on the same piece as the rest of the idiot lights so if it's aftermarket then it's done real well. Thanks again.

 

[Ranger SVO]

Sound like a factory system to me.

If it is a factory system, then a disarm wire will be located in either the driver or the passenger kick panel. It will be a dark Green wire with a purple stripe. You can confirm this wire with a volt meter. It will read 12-volts on it until the door is unlocked with the key. The voltage will drop to 0 for a second and then go back to 12 volts.

Also, if there is a factory alarm then there is a hood pin switch, its wire color would be Tan with a light green stripe and it can be located in the driver kick panel.

The alarm module for the 98 is located behind the left rear panel in the truck. Not sure about a 97 because there is nothing listed for the 97. All this info is for a 98.

Now lets go over everything that will trigger a factory alarm.
Alarm will be triggered whenever any of the following 4 actions occur while the system is armed:
1. Any door is opened without using key or remote entry transmitter.
2. Hood is opened.
3. Ignition switch is tampered with.
4. PANIC button on remote entry transmitter is pressed.
Tampering with ignition switch will trigger alarm even if system is disarmed. Within 2-3 minutes of alarm triggering, horns and lights will shut off automatically. The system will then reset to an armed state and will trigger again if another intrusion occurs. The starting system will remain disabled until the system is disarmed.

Now you know what to look for. Good luck