Horn honks when trying to install battery

[bluemoon]

I have a 2003 Ranger. I am trying to install a battery, but the horn starts honking at 1-second intervals when I connect it. Is this part of anti-theft? I cannot seem to find any info on how to get past this. Many thanks, a prompt reply would be much appreciated.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Who knows what it actually is....

But I would disconnect the horn and go from there.

 

[Curious Hound]

Connect the battery. Then put the key in the ignition and turn to the run position?

 

[Snoranger]

Probably a factory alarm.

Depending on the year you either had to use the key to unlock the door or turn the ign switch on to stop it.

 

[RonD]

Yes, its an alarm of some sort, PATS is "passive" anti-theft system, disables engine but no light or horn activation

 

[rubydist]

When they go dead, and you have to use the key to unlock the door and then open the hood and connect the jump box (or in your case a new battery) the pcm thinks that someone has broken into the vehicle and sounds the alarm. As soon as the battery is connected you can use the fob to unlock the door or put the key in the ignition and the alarm goes off. Happens at the dealership virtually every time we have to jump a vehicle with a dead battery.