Dealer installed alarm hardware found!

[quirkybar8]

These butt connectors are same as approved by FAA for repair of Airliners. They are not autostore parts. I have a special crimping tool that goes with them. I get them at Terminal Supply. The outer sleave is shrink tubing with a hot melt glue that glues to the wire sheath making a robust connection.

Solder on the other hand is a big no no on automotive wiring. The solder is solid and where this solid solder stops creates a stress concentration in the wire and can and does lead to internal failure of the copper. Shrink tubing that does not bond to the wiring sheath does help a bit but why take the risk... When I started managing offroad racing The Ford racetrucks failure rate was about 75% and most electrical. We instituted a requirement to switch to the type of butt connectors sold by ReyChem or Terminal supply...It is now very uncommon for the race teams to have electrical failures due to wiring.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

After I asked I read Daniel's post about the third brake light hack job and saw yours. Your mention of scotchloks conjured up this image for me.

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[Dmax]

I have one of these KARR alarms on my truck. Negotiated with the dealer on the spot. The owner had been driving it(good sign). I just asked them to not activate it. Seeing Phil's rat nest seems like it would be a headache to remove. I don't know if I trust a dealer to pull this out safely without causing more issues. Appreciate the insight here, not much on car electronics. CHeers

DMAX

 

[Mokume]

After I asked I read Daniel's post about the third brake light hack job and saw yours. Your mention of scotchloks conjured up this image for me.

OMG!
I am at a loss for words....

 

[Mobius97]

After I asked I read Daniel's post about the third brake light hack job and saw yours. Your mention of scotchloks conjured up this image for me.

Reminds me of my younger says working as a field tech in a splicing can. Now that is a ton of bean splices....phone line pedestals, they are the worst!

 

[quirkybar8]

Reminds me of my younger says working as a field tech in a splicing can. Now that is a ton of bean splices....phone line pedestals, they are the worst!

It was actually a later experience for me in a small campus environment. Got to wear several different hats, which included sneaking down into manholes without a spotter or O2 sensor to chase fiber or copper OSP. Or popping the lid to find your splice cans under 6' of water.

 

[Mobius97]

Sorry guys so off topic here.

@quirkybar8
Ha! Know those scenarios well! I no longer do the field work myself, I get the easy part, design and cost from my home office. However, I flew out to a new data center last week that is under construction. I was there to view the site for our final design and figure out where the fiber entrance vaults were. The primary vault was set 10' down and ~30' down hill of the storm run-off drain.......brilliant designs folks! lol.

 

[rang19ca]

Sorry guys so off topic here.

@quirkybar8
Ha! Know those scenarios well! I no longer do the field work myself, I get the easy part, design and cost from my home office. However, I flew out to a new data center last week that is under construction. I was there to view the site for our final design and figure out where the fiber entrance vaults were. The primary vault was set 10' down and ~30' down hill of the storm run-off drain.......brilliant designs folks! lol.

You can't fix STUPID .

 

[Edsel]

This is called “pack” and most dealers do it. I was shocked when the deal I made with Autonation Ford in Houston didn’t have a single ‘pack’ line item on my new Ranger. So refreshing.

Just say no. They’ll drop the nonsense if they really want the sale.

 

[ABKsDad]

This is called “pack” and most dealers do it. I was shocked when the deal I made with Autonation Ford in Houston didn’t have a single ‘pack’ line item on my new Ranger. So refreshing.

Just say no. They’ll drop the nonsense if they really want the sale.

I too had a good experience from Autonation Ford in Houston. I saw a cheaper price for the same truck at a dealer over in Pearland, but Autonation would not come down on their price and instead gave me a firm offer and said to go shop the other dealer since they were positive that this other dealer was packing the price. Well guess what, the other dealer was packing on at least the difference in price plus would not even come close to their advertised price on AutoTrader. I went back to Autonation and got the truck at the deep discounted price they offered plus they included free tint (though I am not sure how free it was since I did not see a vehicle on their lot that hadn't been tinted).

 

[ABKsDad]

I hate the "$200" wheel locks. Have not had a wheel stolen.....ever.

Well, I have had the wheels stolen off my car one time. Of course the thieves broke into the car and got the wheel lock out and used that to take off the tires. The wheel locks are only good if you keep the lock with you and who wants to carry around a wheel lock all the time.

 

[Edsel]

I went back to Autonation and got the truck at the deep discounted price they offered plus they included free tint (though I am not sure how free it was since I did not see a vehicle on their lot that hadn't been tinted).

LOL! Today I stopped at a convenience store and after locking the truck I said "Jeez, these windows are dark!" (that's a good thing here in Tejas).

Thank you, Autonation!

 

[KTM Hauler]

UPDATE!!...

So I received an email from the sales guy last night...

Hello, When you did your paper work with me there was a Sheet of paper marked Alarm and I explained to you we add an alarm to all of our cars to prevent theft. You actually signed this form that you were aware of this modification. This is the only way our finance department will take your deal and i'm almost positive they mentioned it as well.


Sincerely,

Um no! My reply...

I do remember declining the alarm. I may have even signed paperwork declining it. What I dont remember is signing any disclosure that hardware was installed. And for what its worth, I dont remember you mentioning it verbally.


As for the email I sent, I hope there was no implication that YOU dropped the ball. I enjoyed working with you and you made it painless.


If you have a copy of the disclosure that I signed I would appreciate a copy of it.


Sincerely,

So this morning he emails me asking for the name of the finance manager. This is an asinine question for someone who should be able to locate it in like um 2 minutes. Obviously hes trying to play stupid. I told him I dont remember.

Late afternoon I receive this email...

Hello Thomas, So I have some information for you per my Sales Manager. We are going to replace that panel that you took a picture of. We need a bigger picture that shows the panel's location. We want to make sure we order the right part. This will take a few weeks to please be patient with us we are on top of the situation. Thanks again for being a valued customer.


Sincerely,

Hmm. We went from you signed a disclosure and finance would have mentioned it to we are going to replace the panel. Um, not good enough. My reply...

Hi Shaun,


Obviously I did not receive a call from anyone today like I requested.


As for the panel, I will get you a picture that clearly shows the panel in question.


However, my bigger concern is the mess that may have been created with the wiring of the aftermarket alarm. I am hoping you overlooked telling me this would also be corrected. At this point if I ever decide to install an alarm of my choice, I would not have the original Ford wiring to work with. I would have to painstakingly remove the stuff your dealership installed and try to figure out which way is up. This is totally unacceptable. I will remove the panel tonight and take a look.


Please let all 3 of the people who chose not to call me that I will be on the phone with Ford Customer Service to see to it that I will not be pulling teeth to get this truck the way it should have been delivered to me...

No more than 15 minutes later I get a call from the Sales Manager. After listening to him try to explain to me the original factory wiring is not altered due to warranty requirements, I told him I would take a look underneath the panel. This was something I did not want to deal with last night. I told him that IF it was a simple couple of wires I may be able to live with it. What I found was at least 9 inline wire taps and an alarm module. Correct me if I am wrong, but you cant simple remove the wire taps. Now each and every one of those wires is compromised. Electrical tape? Not a chance.

I will be sending him an email tonight letting him now, according to Engineer Phil, that there is no practical was to replace the wiring harnesses. The "unbroken" wires from these harness run through the entire truck to the doors, the lights, the everything!

Below are 2 pictures. If anyone on the forum has a chance to take a picture, and post it, from the same angle as mine WITHOUT the purple wire taps it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

My fingers are tired!

 

[P. A. Schilke]

UPDATE!!...

So I received an email from the sales guy last night...

Hello, When you did your paper work with me there was a Sheet of paper marked Alarm and I explained to you we add an alarm to all of our cars to prevent theft. You actually signed this form that you were aware of this modification. This is the only way our finance department will take your deal and i'm almost positive they mentioned it as well.


Sincerely,

Um no! My reply...

I do remember declining the alarm. I may have even signed paperwork declining it. What I dont remember is signing any disclosure that hardware was installed. And for what its worth, I dont remember you mentioning it verbally.


As for the email I sent, I hope there was no implication that YOU dropped the ball. I enjoyed working with you and you made it painless.


If you have a copy of the disclosure that I signed I would appreciate a copy of it.


Sincerely,

So this morning he emails me asking for the name of the finance manager. This is an asinine question for someone who should be able to locate it in like um 2 minutes. Obviously hes trying to play stupid. I told him I dont remember.

Late afternoon I receive this email...

Hello Thomas, So I have some information for you per my Sales Manager. We are going to replace that panel that you took a picture of. We need a bigger picture that shows the panel's location. We want to make sure we order the right part. This will take a few weeks to please be patient with us we are on top of the situation. Thanks again for being a valued customer.


Sincerely,

Hmm. We went from you signed a disclosure and finance would have mentioned it to we are going to replace the panel. Um, not good enough. My reply...

Hi Shaun,


Obviously I did not receive a call from anyone today like I requested.


As for the panel, I will get you a picture that clearly shows the panel in question.


However, my bigger concern is the mess that may have been created with the wiring of the aftermarket alarm. I am hoping you overlooked telling me this would also be corrected. At this point if I ever decide to install an alarm of my choice, I would not have the original Ford wiring to work with. I would have to painstakingly remove the stuff your dealership installed and try to figure out which way is up. This is totally unacceptable. I will remove the panel tonight and take a look.


Please let all 3 of the people who chose not to call me that I will be on the phone with Ford Customer Service to see to it that I will not be pulling teeth to get this truck the way it should have been delivered to me...

No more than 15 minutes later I get a call from the Sales Manager. After listening to him try to explain to me the original factory wiring is not altered due to warranty requirements, I told him I would take a look underneath the panel. This was something I did not want to deal with last night. I told him that IF it was a simple couple of wires I may be able to live with it. What I found was at least 9 inline wire taps and an alarm module. Correct me if I am wrong, but you cant simple remove the wire taps. Now each and every one of those wires is compromised. Electrical tape? Not a chance.

I will be sending him an email tonight letting him now, according to Engineer Phil, that there is no practical was to replace the wiring harnesses. The "unbroken" wires from these harness run through the entire truck to the doors, the lights, the everything!

Below are 2 pictures. If anyone on the forum has a chance to take a picture, and post it, from the same angle as mine WITHOUT the purple wire taps it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

My fingers are tired!

Hi KTM,

Yep...similar to what I found, however in following some wires, I had to remove the left front door sill trim panel where there was another splice. You will likely trace and fine a couple more elsewhere than the 9 you id'd. So your zip tied module looks different than the black one I found, the whole install is reminiscent of my horror. I too had to have the dealer replace the panel where the famous "jumper" module was installed as they could not even install this correctly as it was canted about 10° off level. This jumper module was to disable the "feature" for those customers declining this "enhanced" system... I told my salesman and he said "we have never had a problem" with the system installation...Yeah, Right! BS.

Good Luck!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[KTM Hauler]

Well today I received a call from the company that installed the alarm. He left a message asking me to call back so they could schedule a time at my house or at the dealership to remove the alarm system. I also have a call into to Ford customer service. Apparently to speak to someone in the U.S., they person in Manila had to elevate my issue by creating a case #. now I wait patiently for a call within 1 to 6 business days. I will practice patience and wait for that call before I contact the alarm company. I don't think I should settle on simply removing the wire taps and covering everything up with crimps and tape.

Thanks Phil for your input!

 

[quirkybar8]

Well today I received a call from the company that installed the alarm. He left a message asking me to call back so they could schedule a time at my house or at the dealership to remove the alarm system. I also have a call into to Ford customer service. Apparently to speak to someone in the U.S., they person in Manila had to elevate my issue by creating a case #. now I wait patiently for a call within 1 to 6 business days. I will practice patience and wait for that call before I contact the alarm company. I don't think I should settle on simply removing the wire taps and covering everything up with crimps and tape.

Thanks Phil for your input!

I'd expect them to simply unplug the spade lugs and remove their stuff, leaving behind the t-taps. At this point they're likely helping to maintain some integrity to the original harness wiring. I also wouldn't think they'd use high quality butt connectors if they do remove the t-tap. What are your expectations at this point?

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