Hi all,
Just took delivery of a 99FRC last night. It's got some bruises, and needs a door, etc, but had been running fine. The driver of the truck that hauled it here had started it several times with no problem (on a jump box), but when he got it here, it wouldn't start.

This may be why. When he got it here, he wanted to roll it off the trailer, then hook it up to the jumpbox and try to start it. Well, it wouldn't even try to turn over, though there was plenty of power. When I tried to get it to recognize the key fob, I couldn't get to the correct menu area. I hit options a few times, all it gave me was 1. alarm, and 2. language (french, german, english, etc).

So at this point, I'm guessing the alarm has been set and I don't know how to disengage it. So I left it sitting overnight...

Went to it this morning, tried again, same problem. So I held Lock/Unlock on the keyfob and I heard it recognize. I was able to lock/unlock the doors a few times with the keyfob, and figured that might disengage the alarm. But it didn't...After a few times, the keyfob quit working again.

A few other things I noticed. The column lock is locked tight and the buttons to open the trunk/etc are not working. I hooked up a battery charger and it was making a funny clicking sound (probably something taking whatever power it had as soon as it was charging), so I have removed the battery and am charging it externally.

So, that's where I'm at, and I need some help. Has anyone ever had much experience with an alarm that didn't want to reset? Or does this sound like something else?

Thanks!
Josh

 

TTT, anyone: ?

 

On my 2001 ... when the starter relay is not engaged (alarm is tripped), turning the key causes the power from the battery to be shorted out before it gets to the starter ... net effect is that the lights inside the car and under hood light go out while the key is turned - it 'looks' like the battery is dead, even though it's not. I chased what I thought was a dead battery for almost an hour a few months ago - turns out it was something I had done. :rolleyes:

I don't know if that helps much ...

Things I would check - Do your keys have 'pellets' in them? It'll behave like you said if they don't. (or maybe the keys are tarnished such that the pelet contacts are dirty ...) If that's not it - then you might try resetting the BCM - I believe the instructions are in the tech tips section - you have to pull a fuse or two for 5 or ten minutes. The BCM controls the alarm - it could be the culprit.

Good Luck! :cheers:

 

Just remembered - using a key in the ignition with the correct pellet is supposed to turn off the alarm. (so even if the BCM didn't recognize the key fob anymore, the key should have started the car - unless the car didn't like the key) ... so if you have the correct keys, it's probably something else ... maybe someone else will think of something.